Good morning, Washington. It's December 20th. Are you still maintaining the farce that you're accomplishing productive work at the office? If so, we salute your spirit. Most of the DCist staff gave up days ago, opting instead to camp out in our office kitchens and wait for the arrival of gift baskets from vendors. How many Hickory Farms beefsticks is it healthy for an adult to eat per day, anyway? Christmas Comes To D.C. Government:... more ›

For D.C. United, the events that transpired in the last week confirmed two unalienable truths. Contrary to United's play during their prolonged slump, they are, in fact, a very good team. And despite a run of good form in U.S. Open Cup play, there's something about the 92-year-old competition that gives D.C. fits. Last Sunday, United snapped its miserable 5 game winless streak with a 2-1 win over Chivas USA. The win gave United... more ›

For D.C.'s avid area theatre-goers, the Helen Hayes Awards is a chance to locally honor some of the nation’s great theatre. For Post critic Peter Marks, it’s an opportunity to receive at least a scintilla of exposure to the shows he’s spent the past year avoiding. And for the dedicated theatrical practitioners who create these superlative works -- it’s prom. And everyone is a winner at the Helen Hayes Awards. That’s what the abundance of liquor at the afterparty is there to ensure. But this year, D.C.’s premiere theatre awards show took it to heart, having arrived at a voter impasse over two of the bigger awards of the night, sensibly chose to hand out some extra hardware and honor some multiple winners. Even with the extras, host E. Faye Butler did her duty and brought the show in for a landing in a scant 120 minutes -- truly deserving of an award herself. After all, those cocktails -– they do not quaff themselves. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today's looking to be rainy, according to our friends at Capital Weather. But beyond watching for rain, you should be aware of the air quality forecast for the region, as our lead story makes clear. more ›

Good morning Washington! Today will be warm with highs in the upper 80s. The mural and building to the right has been torn down, according to this photo posted to DCist photos by photographer Elvert Barnes. The April D.C. Blogger Meetup is tonight. more ›