Photo by yonas1.

Good morning, Washington. In need of some centering after perhaps overindulging during the long holiday weekend? Fortunately for you, the Dalai Lama is rolling into town today for a Kalachakra, a ten-day Buddhist teaching which is expected to draw 100,000 to the Verizon Center between tomorrow and July 16. Washingtonians should feel free to drop in on some of the events, though the first three days of the feast are designed to “purify the Verizon Center symbolically from obstacles.” (Hey, whatever it takes to help the Capitals get over the playoff hump.)

Prince George’s Homicide Figure Outpacing D.C.’s: While the District is on pace to record fewer criminal homicides than 2010, Prince George’s County’s count is way up, in fact registering more killings than its neighbor to the southwest. The Washington Times reports that 56 homicides have been committed in the County so far this year, one more than inside the District’s borders. County officials are upping efforts to interact with the community and are cracking down on music venues and dance halls to try and curb the violence.

City Paper Legal Defense Fund Impresses Gray Lady: The New York Times reported on the Washington City Paper’s legal defense fund yesterday, noting that while the $31,000 the paper has raised from 790 donors over the last few months is hardly adequate to cover the costs of defending itself and writer Dave McKenna from Dan Snyder’s legal barbs, it’s an impressive figure nonetheless — moreso when one considers that the donations are no tax-deductible. Last month, the paper filed a motion to have Snyder’s case dismissed, citing the District’s prohibitions against strategic lawsuits against public participation.

Briefly Noted: Post-holiday escalator trouble at Foggy Bottom this morning…”Mayor of Old Town” passes away…Busy weekend for authorities along the region’s waterways…ICYMI: Vince Gray comes out against taxi medallions…Dramatic photo taken of woman who jumped on Metro tracks, but was unharmed after operator hit breaks in time…Cyclist killed by tree over the weekend was visiting from New York…So how do you just misplace $3.6 million?…Cyclist struck at 25th and Pennsylvania this morning…”The officer gave chase, but the dog moved fast, and managed to elude arrest.”…Not bacon!

This Day in DCist: Last year, Walmart’s intentions to sign a D.C. lease by the fall were revealed, and a 35-year-old time capsule in Silver Spring yielded less-than-glamorous returns.