The Anacostia River is in bad shape. Not that it's stopping people from eating catfish they catch in its waters! more ›

Yes, people are still squabbling about the proposed mixed-use development on the site of the Wisconsin Avenue Giant -- a battle that is now going on its thirteenth year. But the progress of the development might not be sullied by legal struggles alone. more ›

Today, the District adds one more license plate to its short list of vehicle tags promoting certain organizations or causes. (My personal favorite? The National Association of Black Scuba Divers.) more ›

Earlier this year, several Cleveland Park homeowners signed up for a free home energy audit offered by the District's Department of the Environment. Now they have letters from the contractor that DDOE had perform the audits, claiming that liens had being placed on their homes in order to recoup payment for the service. What a deal! more ›

As we've been telling you for some time now, that 5 cent disposable bag fee finally goes into effect on January 1. Much of the opposition to the law when it was initially being considered was that it could end up hurting the poor more than anyone else: spending $1 on a reusable bag or two could really be a hardship for the poorest District residents. With that in mind, below you'll find a list of dates, times and locations for the District Department of the Environment's free reusable bag giveaways. DDOE partnered with CVS stores to give away thousands of the tote bags over the next month. If you or someone you know is still in need of a bag, feel free to stop by and take one. more ›

The Post had a brief story about it this morning, but it's worth reiterating that the District Department of the Environment and outstanding local non-profit Casey Trees have announced a new program that offers D.C. residents $50 if they'll plant a tree on their property. Autumn is the best time to plant trees, so follow this link to learn more about the program and download the rebate form. Participants must pledge to water and care for the tree for at least two years, and you can also request a free “Ooze Tube” watering bag to make watering the tree that much easier. The rebates are available up until May 31, 2009. Casey Trees is also offering tons of info on where, when and how to plant your tree. Contact them at 202.833.4010 or friends(at)caseytrees.org. more ›