This week the big news is the appointment (PDF) of Dorothy Kosinski as the new Director of The Phillips Collection. She's currently the Senior Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Dallas Musuem of Art, and comes with an impressive résumé that include extensive curating, acquisitions, and teaching experience. Kosinski will officially take over next spring, to replace retiring Director Jay Gates, just in time to take the reins on a five-year strategy the......

Our beloved D.C. United may have crashed and burned (again) in the MLS playoffs this season, but life goes on. Also, the playoffs go on -- right in our backyard, in fact. Many moons ago, Washington was picked to host the 2007 MLS Cup this Sunday at noon, at RFK. Time to put aside your grieving and check out the game. Tickets start at $30, maybe even less on Craigslist. When else are you going......

Hidden underneath the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall is a treasure waiting to be discovered — the Smithsonian Latino Center, which has been celebrating Latino culture, spirit, and achievement in America for 10 years, presents a terrific exhibit, Mexican Treasures of the Smithsonian, on display through November 11 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center’s International Gallery. The exhibit pulls together objects from different museums around the city to explore the shared histories and cultural......

Now that it's getting darker earlier, bicyclists in the city need to be more careful about riding at night. But if you're like me, you've been putting off buying a safety light for oh, forever. So I'm planning on being first in line this Friday, November 2 at the Suntrust Plaza in Adams Morgan to snag free front and rear bike lights courtesy the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and DDOT. All you have to do......

You'd think potentially violent criminals would know by now: if you injure someone anywhere near your favorite hang out spot in Ward 1, Council member Jim Graham is going to swoop in and ruin the fun for everyone else. If the possibility of being locked up in the terrifying confines of the D.C. Jail isn't enough of a deterrent, having all your friends be totally pissed at you for getting the place where they like......

Written by DCist contributor Meghan Welsh Cultures will collide this weekend at The Kennedy Center as Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company presents the world premiere of "Chico Latino," a work which explores the intersection of Asian American and Latin American communities throughout the Americas. "Chico Latino" is a fusion of Latin and Asian modern dance, and the program will also include classic works by the choreographer, inspired by his experiences, such as a visit......

>> The Smithsonian American Art Museum honors the winners of the Lucelia Artist Award over the past six years with its new exhibition opening tomorrow. The highly prestigious award gives $25,000 to an artist under 50 who has "consistently demonstrated exceptional creativity." See the six winners every day from from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 2007 winner will be revealed tomorrow when the exhibit opens. >> If you haven't had the chance yet......

Good morning, Washington. Does your commute include the Wilson Bridge? If so, enjoy this morning's trip — it's the last speedy one you're likely to have this week. As Fox 5 details, some of the traffic around the bridge will be redirected beginning at 10 a.m. this morning. But the worst will be saved for overnight on Friday, when traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Hateful Vandalism Galore: What the hell is going......

Welcome back to work, Washington. Actually, we're curious -- are any of you checking in on headlines from home today, having gone ahead and taken the rest of the week off? If so, we never liked you in the first place. Despite the tornado watch and humid, drizzly conditions, we hope you had a wonderful 4th of July celebration and of course, didn't have any fireworks-related accidents. ABC7 is reporting that at least nine people......

>> OK, Joyce Carol Oates really IS going to be at Politics and Prose tonight, where she'll read from and sign copies of her latest novel, The Gravedigger's Daughter. Get there well before the 7 p.m. start time to stake out a seat. >> The Smithsonian Latino center presents From Mambo to Hip Hop: A Bronx Tale, a 55 minute documentary about how the South Bronx' Boricua community makes its own brand of music......

Happy Friday morning, D.C. If you're like us, today is payday, and maybe you're feeling pretty good about the number of digits in your bank account. Perhaps you even plan to go out and make a major purchase this weekend, like say, finally upgrading that crappy stereo system you bought from K-mart before you started college. Maybe you're even smiling at your desk right this second, thinking of how proud you are to have saved......

Disturbing news out of the Columbia Heights neighborhood, as reports emerge about a 9 a.m. shooting at a crowded bus stop this morning at the corner of Georgia Ave. and Columbia Rd. NW. A woman being described as a Latino woman in her mid to late 30s is in critical condition at Howard University Hospital after being shot in the head by a man who fled on a bicycle. The shooting ocurred as students at......

If you've been complaining that Memorial Day weekend wiped out your wallet, D.C. art venues heard your pleas for something a little less draining on your finances. This weekend the city is chock full of free activities, from private gallery openings to neighborhood wide social events. Put on your walking shoes and check out the following: >> It's time again for the annual Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend. Held on the first full weekend in......

The Smithsonian Institution is searching for a public or private partner to redevelop and rent the historic Arts and Industries Building, since, according to the Smithsonian's facilities director, William W. Brubaker, the Institution "does not have funding now or in the foreseeable future to rehabilitate" it. The 126-year-old building, the second-oldest next to the Smithsonian Castle, has been closed for three years "in preparation for renovation" since the roof began collapsing -- but no work......

And a glorious Friday to you, Washington. Granted, it's not exactly pleasant out right now, but we're going to boldly agree completely with the National Weather Service about tomorrow: highs in the mid-50s, with plenty of sun (peeking through a few clouds). We'll take it. After the week we've had, we would have taken Antarctica, just as long as we got to sleep in a little and not have to think about work for at......

Morning Washington. Animals everywhere are breathing sighs of relief this morning after one giant creature makes a recovery and five little creatures get some justice. Ambika, the Asian elephant at the National Zoo was found with a blood clot yesterday, worrying the vets with what could have been a life threatening condition for the 59-year-old female. Luckily, the clot isn't dangerous, and Ambika looks to live will beyond the typical 50-ish year elephant life expectancy......

Thanks to Flickr user Ronnie R for taking this photo of a detail from the "A People Without Murals is a Demuralized People" mural in Adams Morgan. Painted in 1977 by a group of Latino immigrant artists, it was restored in 2005 -- which no doubt accounts for the vibrancy of the colors (yay for restoration!). Take some time looking at this and the additional photos of the mural. Not only are they visually......

With less than 24 hours until polls open, most District residents are caught in a curious spot. Bombarded with ads from both sides of the Potomac, we're highly aware that a battle for control of Congress is taking place, and yet are powerless to take up arms. With average turnout in non-presidential election years hovering around 40%, we can't help but have a little ire for those in Maryland and Virginia who could weigh in......

Ahhh, Thursday. First day of the weekend. And a good day to play hooky and watch Trinidad and Tobago (powered by Howard alum Shaka Hislop) take on England at noon. And the news for the day: Controversy Over Terrorism Funds Continues: Local officials feel they were cheated of valuable federal anti-terrorism funds. Federal officials claim that local requests of funds for anti-terror program were ineffective at best. Who should we believe? The Post is......

It's never been much of a secret that Northern Virginia is heavily populated with Latin American immigrants, primarily of the Central American variety. But now it seems that immigration flows have started pushing further and further into Virginia's heartland -- so much so that the media has reacted. Richmond's newspaper of record, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, announced yesterday that they are kicking off a weekly Spanish-language version of the paper on May 12. To be called......

Though they left us with a good deal of thunder and lightning, the storms that hit our area yesterday cut a deadly path through other parts of the country, particularly Tennessee. We're not in the clear yet, though -- there is a wind advisory for the District and surrounding areas in effect until 1 p.m. today. D.C. Smoking Ban Really Goes Into Effect Today: Ahhhh, government efficiency. There has been some confusion to date......

Driving up Massachusetts Avenue beyond Dupont Circle and Sheridan Circle one quickly comes across Embassy Row -- the expanse of real estate stretching up towards the National Cathedral occupied primarily by the embassies and residences of the many countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the U.S. And while the houses and buildings speak of stately tradition, what happens within may not. Law students at American University's Washington College of Law are taking to the courts......

She's not set to announce her candidacy until tomorrow, but D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp is already doing her best to increase her name recognition and create anticipation for her foray into the 2006 mayoral race. Starting Saturday, signs such as those pictured above began populating the trees, street signs, telephone poles, and public parks of the District. The signs -- bearing no information spare the simple message "Think Cropp" or its Spanish equivalent......

First they went after the red-light runners. Then they went after the speeders. Now the District is set to use its increasing stock of city-wide surveillance cameras to crack down on illegal dumping, according to the Washington Times. Four cameras, each costing $6,000, will be deployed around the city to nab illegal dumpers in the act, allowing the District to more often levy fines reaching $25,000 and including the possible confiscation of the dumping offender's......

Call it providence or coincidence, but today's news is heavy on the crime side. Shootings, stabbings, bank robberies -- does the nicer weather bring out the criminals, or do the slow news days of August simply tend more toward stories of violence and mischief? Either way, it's days like these that we start wondering if summer has gone on for too long. The picture of the sunflower at right, snapped by ohadby and posted to......

The New York Times Magazine featured, this past Sunday, the work of former Expos and current Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, whose work in Flushing has concentrated on attracting Latinos, both to the stands and the playing fields of Shea. Mentioned in the piece is the stellar work Minaya did with Les Expos, bringing in Latino talents such as current Nationals All-Star pitcher Livan Hernandez and second baseman Jose Vidro, in keeping the troubled......

The Smithsonian's 39th Annual Folklife Festival kicks off today on the Mall and is typically one of the best reasons to venture down to the Mall during the height of the summer tourist season. "Oman: Desert, Oasis, and Sea" seems to be the most buzzworthy of the featured programs this year. What do you know about Oman (besides that its capital is Muscat)? Way back in the day, this DCist chose Oman for a middle......

Since DCist's resident gastronaut Kanishka Gangopadhyay is off to St. Louis this week for work-related business, he delegated the weekly task of food commentary and critique to someone with an un-trained, un-sophisticated palette. After all, he wouldn't want someone one-upping him, would he? Much like last week, Capitol Hill seems to have cornered the market for food-related news. Barracks Row Dine Around: Barracks Row, the newly-renovated and ever-so-hip stretch of Eighth Street SE, is celebrating......

Just under two hours ago, venerable alternative radio flagship station WHFS, 99.1 on your FM dial, was taken off the air and replaced by "El Sol" which will play "a mixture of Salsa, Merengue and Bachata, targeting adults 25-54." Ack! The move took many area radio listeners by surprise. Billboard Radio Monitor called the format change "a shocking move." "We have made clear our desire to expand into this burgeoning market and believe this move......

(By DCist contributor Zoe Mitchell) According to a press release we've received, the activists who briefly occupied the Randall Shelter over Thanksgiving weekend are planning to drop by the Wilson Building today to listen in on a subcommittee's vote on the fate of the building, and perhaps take action. The Subcommittee on Human Rights, Latino Affairs and Property Management is scheduled to vote today at 3 p.m. on declaring the Randall Shelter surplus property. If......