The Secret Ingredient: Flaxseed Iron Chef is combing through the restaurant ranks here in Washington once again, this timing tapping Agraria's chef, Ricky Moore, for America's culinary entertainment. Following in the footsteps of D.C. chefs José Andrés, Morou, and Roberto Donna, Moore will be strutting into the kitchen stadium in the near future in an attempt to assert Washington's dominance in the field of one-hour off-the-cuff television cooking. The Washingtonian has an exclusive interview with... more ›

FRIDAY: >> We will be hard pressed to find a better drinking buddy this Friday night than Freddy Noe, son of Booker Noe and great-grandson of Col. James B. Beam. For those not in the "Noe," this is the family that gave us Jim Beam. Whiskey fans can pay homage to Freddy, Master Distiller Emeritus and Jim Beam brand ambassador (uh, where can we apply for that job?), from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on... more ›

While Washington is embroiled in scandal over lobbyist-funded junkets and gifts for members of Congress, Virginia doesn't much bat an eyelid at similar practices. WJLA is reporting that Virginia lawmakers took in some $315,000 worth of trips, gifts, meals, and transportation last year from lobbyists and wealthy hosts, up from $284,000 in 2004. Among that lavish spending -- which is neither illegal nor unusual in our southern neighbor -- was an $18,000 Caribbean getaway for... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today will bring a slight break in humidity, giving a preview of the weekend's promised relief from the unpleasant heat. But for some folks whose trade is naturally hot and unpleasant, today's news is not as good. Not only have D.C. firefighters recently had to deal with a possible maritime arson and mysteriously cancelled health insurance, but now one of their leaders is making unfortunate headlines. Thiry-one year veteran and assistant chief of operations James B. Martin was arrested yesterday after being caught driving a DCFD vehicle while intoxicated. At his request, he has been placed on indefinite leave.

Boys Injured by Lightning: Two eleven year old boys were hurt by lightning at Camp Tockwogh, a YMCA facility on the Eastern Shore. One of the two went into cardiac arrest, but thanks to well-trained teenage staffers and a recently purchased portable defibrillator the boy was revived. Both victims transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. One was admitted in serious condition; the other boy's status is classified as critical.

Loudoun Votes to Restrict Growth: The Post reports that the county's board voted last night to enact curbs on development that would raise the required lot size for houses in the western part of the county from three acres to twenty to forty, depending on location. Opponents say the policy is a violation of property owners' rights; supporters pushed for the regulation as a means of controlling the county's rapid growth.

Briefly Noted: More area bases slated for closure... YADCPSCS (yet another D.C. public school chemical spill)... Metro may switch to fewer trains with more cars... Dulles baggage handler pleads guilty to stealing thousands of credit cards...

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