SFist saw Christmas Day turn tragic after a Siberian tiger escaped from her pen at the San Francisco Zoo, killing a visitor and mauling two others. Phillyist counted down the top ten items on Philadelphia's New Year's wish list. Gothamist looked at the wooden bikes being offered for NYC's first bike share program on Governors Island. LAist received a Christmas present in the form of a drunk Santa Claus in a g-string. Bostonist launched......

As you might imagine, there's not a whole lot going on in the art world this week, and unlike the last holiday, even the Smithsonians close on Christmas Day. Nevertheless, we found a few exhibits for you to poke around this weekend. And if you're one of those last minute gift buyers and can't bear to wage war at the mall, don't forget our guide to art museum memberships for something a little more unique......

I know, I know, it's just about time to stop leaning on the Christmas photo crutch. But I couldn't ignore this typically stunning photo from andertho. The somber view of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception through rainy haze perfectly sums up this year's drizzly Christmas Day atmosphere.......

'Tis two days before Christmas, when all through D.C., not a creature is stirring, except maybe Marion Barry. And who knows what he's stirring anyway? Whatever it is, it's probably not Splenda or non-dairy creamer. By the way, did you know that Marion Barry's middle name is Shepilov? I read that Marion's father Julian named his son after Dmitri Shepilov, the Soviet foreign minister under Khrushchev. But unless Julian Barry knew Shepilov personally, that can't......

This piece was written by DCist contributor Cynthia Rockwell. Sure, you could bask in the seasonal spirit and check out the classics this weekend, but if you're looking to escape the incessant holiday cheer, here are a few ideas for cinematic diversion: >>Attention Cate Blanchett fans, we have not one but two films starring the willowy beauty opening this week. First is the slick black-and-white espionage thriller The Good German, Steven Soderbergh's homage to film......

The mildest December in recent memory looks to continue on for a little while longer, but don't expect actually enjoyable weather between now and Christmas Day. Instead, overcast skies and drizzly rain are settling in to the metro area, just in time to make the holiday feel slightly less merry (though maybe a little more like that thing called winter we keep hearing about). You still don't need that long underwear you asked Santa for,......

By new DCist Food and Drink Contributor Erin Zimmer As legend has it, when a Waldorf-Astoria guest back in the 1940s forcefully requested the hotel's secret red velvet cake recipe, the hotel gave it to her—along with a hefty bill for the prized information. The miffed guest, whose lawyer supposedly advised her that she had to pay, apparently took revenge by spreading the recipe everywhere she could. Whether the Waldorf-Astoria tale is real or no......

Good morning, Washington. With deadlines for signing the stadium lease looming, D.C. officials are considering new options for defraying cost overruns, in their attempt to corral a majority in the D.C. Council. The Post reports today that the latest of such measures is an initiative to sell land adjacent to the planned stadium to the new Nationals owner. That land, which is likely to host a lucrative mix of development, could prove valuable enough to......

Here's the problem: Your parents have just become missionaries and are on some remote island for the holidays. Or you're Jewish/Buddhist/non-religious and don't do the traditional Christmas dinner. Or you just don't feel like eating with the feuding family, and would rather be waited on hand and foot. But where, praytell, can you go on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve to get good food? DCist has good news and bad news. The good news: there......