NBC4 reported last night that food banks are not the only local charities feeling the holiday crunch this year: the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in D.C. also says it is suffering from a decline in donations compared to last year. So we are posting this photo of a crying baby we found to make you feel bad -- bad enough to donate some toys to needy local kids, that is. There are something... more ›

We've already covered some of the great Halloween photos today, and, wouldn't you know it, there are all kinds of other interesting things going on in October besides creepy costume parties. There's the fall harvest at our local farmers markets, some fun times at our arts festivals before it gets too cold to play outside, and, well, whatever the hell is going on here. Of course, there was also the Marine Corps Marathon yesterday... more ›

Welcome back to work, Washington. Perhaps you're struggling to focus this morning, having only barely recovered from the weekend's Halloween festivities. Perhaps you just had a difficult time extricating yourself from your bed on this first cold morning of the year. Whatever the case may be, DCist recommends a strong cup of coffee with a dash of Rumbler to get your motor running today. The Rumbler is described as a "high-tech blaster" being used in... more ›

WTOP's Adam Tuss is the first to the gate with news of Metro's Board of Directors having agreed today to a fare hike proposal to put forward to the public. Here's the details: >> Peak Metrorail base fares would increase 30 cents, from $1.35 to $1.65 >> Off-peak rail service would remain at $1.35 >> The maximum rail fare would jump 80 cents, to $4.70 >> If you use SmarTrip, bus fares will remain... more ›

Though we usually feature our Flickr photogs here, this one was too good to pass up. This morning at National Geographic downtown, folks from their Kids magazine went for broke — setting the Guinness World Record for number of stuffed animals gathered in one place. Two-thousand, three hundred and four, to be exact. Preciousness rose to new highs in the room lined on every wall with teddy bears and smiling gorillas, as the record verification... more ›

In D.C.'s own rendition of manifest destiny, our suburbs seem to be expanding with all the vigor of well-watered kudzu. It's how DCist imagines the old horror standard The Blob, if it were retold by John Cheever: the mucilaginous mass slowly gorges on pastoral countryside, dusty antique shops, and quaint Main Streets, leaving only Bed, Bath, and Beyond in its wake. While taking a look at the political implications of these population shifts, the Post... more ›

Happy post-Halloween weekend (and pre-actual Halloween) Monday to you, DCist readers. We hope your weekend was as excessive and gluttonous as it deserved to be. Even if it wasn't as fun as you had planned, just be thankful that you didn't have to spend the time defending the sexual escapades in your fictional novels, as Senate candidate James Webb has had to do lately. At least, hopefully you didn't spend your weekend in that manner. If you did, then, um, good luck with that.

Fernandes Out at Gallaudet: We start off with news, which came down last night, of the Gallaudet's board's decision to terminate the appointment of Jane Fernandes. Apparently the weeks and weeks of disruptive student protests were too much to take. In a statement, the board said that:

"We understand the impact of this decision and the important issues that inherently arise when a Board re-examines decisions in the face of an on-going protest. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the University to terminate Dr. Fernandes from the incoming President's position."

Man Dies During Marathon: The Marine Corps Marathon is one of D.C.'s best events, in my opinion - a gorgeous course, a race open to anybody who cares to watch it, and a wonderful event to witness (or participate in, as I did a couple of years ago). Sadly, this year it was marred by a participant's death. The race's director said a man appeared to have a heart attack at the 17-mile mark at the 14th Street bridge; he was taken by helicopter to the Washington Hospital Center.

Strong Winds Kick Everyone's Ass: You probably encountered them yourself this weekend - the winds sent straight from hell to totally terrorize and potentially sweep you into the devil's arms. Or, something. People up and down the east coast lost power, including areas of Virginia and Maryland. Did you get knocked over?

Briefly Noted: Man injured after U street shooting ... Poll puts Dems ahead in Maryland ... the "Battle of Chain Bridge Road" rages ...

Photo posted to DCist photos by Flickr user amishah.

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FRIDAY: >> It's the DAM! Festival, son. We've already written a blue streak about it, so check out our recent music archives for some great interviews and MP3s from participating artists, and weigh your options between The Red and the Black, the Rock and Roll Hotel, or Velvet Lounge, full schedule with too many bands to list here. Of course, the non-DAM! show of the night is clearly Baltimore's Spank Rock, who'll be bringing their... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Got Halloween plans? Personally, I'm still trying to come up with a decent last-minute costume idea. My party deadline isn't until tomorrow, fortunately. For those who've got costume parties lined up for tonight, I hope you didn't make any part of your outfit from papier mache — it looks like it's going to be a soggy evening. Jemal Acquitted Of Most Charges: The verdict is in, and prominent District developer Douglas Jemal... more ›

Anyone who has been in this town for more than a few hours knows that the feeding frenzy resulting from federal spending bills outdoes just about anything you've seen on the Discovery Channel. Well, it's check cuttin' time in D.C., and the District, Virginia, and Maryland are each getting a slice of the pie. Apparently, the region's planners did not read last Tuesday's DCist transportation column, because most of the money is going to the... more ›

Last month we reported that the District's first official triathlon, the Nation's Triathlon, was a go. After months of haggling with competing jurisdictions for permit, race organizers got the final go-ahead for the event, which would include a swim in the Potomac River, a bike ride up Rock Creek Park, and a run to the U.S. Capitol and back. Plenty of readers made jokes about swimming in the Potomac. Hell, so did I --... more ›

Last week may have been a prelude to summer humidity, but this week will offer a bit of a respite. According to Capital Weather, we're going to be blessed with weather that doesn't rise far beyond the 70s, though we may have a few showers here and there. Prisoners Escape, Caught Over Weekend: This DCist wasn't terribly happy with the news that two prisoners accused of murder had escaped from the D.C. jail over the... more ›

Got nothing to do on October 29? If you've always wanted to test the limits of your physical endurance, you may still have the chance. According to the Examiner, there are still some 2,000 slots open for the Marine Corps Marathon. That doesn't mean that less people are jumping at the chance to run 26.2 miles, simply that the 4,000 extra slots added this year are taking a little longer to fill than expected. Last... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Marine Corps Marathon registration opens at noon today, so those of you ready to take on the 26.2 should be ready to get your information in. There will be a number of DCists doing their best to join the field this year (the presale password is "dehydration"). Yours truly will not be among them, but we wish all entrants the best. At right is a photo of Wilson Bridge construction; no reason... more ›

Good morning, Washington. We hope you have had an enjoyable Halloween Weekend. As we compile this post the AP is reporting President Bush has a trick or treat this morning, depending on your point of view: his new nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court will be Judge Samuel A. Alito. The good weather will continue, today will be sunny with temperatures in the low 70s. Parks Honored at U.S. Capitol: The body of civil rights... more ›

This year the Marine Corps Marathon turns 30--and she's not even lying about her age. To commemorate this milestone (no pun intended), 30,000 runners are competing in this year’s event. We know you've been training for months, eschewing late nights at bars for eight hours of sleep, and beer and jumbo slices in favor of Gatorade and Power Bars. And now you're ready for the ultimate test of endurance: waiting in line to pick... more ›

Good morning, Washington. The bad news is that today looks like it'll be a little bit cloudy. The good news is that as of 8 a.m., WMATA reports no Metro service alerts. The weekend promises just the opposite: Saturday and Sunday's weather will be pleasant, but WMATA says that all five Metro tracks will be undergoing work. Add in the local disruptions that will be caused by Sunday's Marine Corps Marathon, and you've got some... more ›

Any D.C. resident who has put on a pair of running shoes and ventured out his or her front door knows that Washington is one of the best cities for runners. The editors of Runner's World magazine agree. In a recent article on MSN, Washington is ranked the fifth best city for running. According to the editors: Yes, the capital leads our 25 cities in percentage of park area, but local runners get pumped by... more ›

We hope you had a nice weekend. This photo, posted by the Post's Keith Jenkins in DCist Photos, shows motorcyclists with a dog in the sidecar and U.S. and Marine Corps flags. Many of the memorials and monuments on both sides of the Potomac were packed with people honoring those who have fallen in current and past wars. For a transcript of President Bush's Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery, click here. Now on... more ›

Today will be sunny and breezy with highs in the 60s. The photo was taken yesterday at the first night of The Pixies' sold out two night engagement at Constitution Hall. Check back later today for DCist posts on yesterday's USDA stabbing and a full review of The Pixies with more photos. more ›

Oh boy, this isn't good. Signal problems and mechanical problems on metrorail caused massive delays during the Marine Corps Marathon with "several passengers staggering from the heat swooned on the station platforms," the Post reports. The problems were blamed on a switch at the National Airport station, which clogged the Blue and Yellow lines. Then a Blue Line train car broke down in the Potomac River tunnel between the Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom stations, causing... more ›

Over 17,000 runners competed yesterday in the Marine Corps Marathon in balmy weather with temperatures in the 70s. Ethiopian Retta Feyissa won the men's competition, and Arlingotn's Mary Kate Bailey became the first active duty Marine to win the women's race since 1979. Race officials told the Post the warm weather sent 45 participants to area hospitals for dehydration. Three members of the DCist family were at the race in some capacity: Catherine and Hemal... more ›

Well, Halloween is almost upon us. Personally, this holiday is one of DCist's favorites; the city is able to shed its year-long repression, rip off the Banana Republic shirt, and get down and dirty. Or at least get drunk while wearing a Clinton mask. Plus, living in the political center of the world leads to some truly inspired (and/or offensive) costumes. At a loss for how to disguise yourself during your trick-or-treat outings? DCist suggests... more ›

Runners and spectators for this Sunday’s 29th Marine Corps Marathon will have to cope with extensive new security measures. The Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3620-2004Oct27.html">reported yesterday that race organizers have implemented new measures in light of the race's close proximity to the upcoming election and the American military presence in Iraq. For the first time, there will be five screening points around the entrance to Zone 6, race organizers' term for the area that encompasses the start... more ›

Watch out, D.C.! 15,000 runners are expected to hit the streets of Washington this Sunday. A local institution, the Marine Corps Marathon attracts competitive runners from all over the world as well as thousands of amatuers eager to punish their bodies by running through 26.2 miles of D.C.'s streets. This years race starts at Arlington National Cemetary, goes through Georgetown, much of Rock Creek Park, hits the National Mall, winds through Hains Point and... more ›

Though the weekend is going to be absolutely-freaking-gorgeous, DCist can't help but feel a twinge of bitterness. First, we've got to run 22 miles tomorrow for our seemingly never-ending Marine Corps Marathon training. And then we don't even get Monday off! The gods are against us. Anyway, no reason everyone else shouldn't have some fun! Grumble ... FRIDAY: Beastie Boys bring their show to the Patriot Center. Need a ticket? Check craigslist. Lots of last-minute... more ›

Welcome to October! Crisp autumn breezes, the scent of spice in the air, and tons of activities abound during one of D.C.’s most pleasant months. How better to enjoy October than to tackle a few tried and true amusements that make D.C.-area living so pleasurable. DCist offers a few suggestions. Suggestion 1 – Quit the city. Sure D.C. is great, but one aspect that makes D.C. so liveable is the city’s close proximity to…well, the... more ›