Reverend Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping are of the opinion that the masses have an opiate other than religion. And if it's the merchandise that keeps us in line, then there is no time of year when we binge on our fix of choice like the holiday season. Bank accounts and credit card statements across the nation can do the testifying for us on this point. And so it is at the most......

Memorial Day is this Monday, meaning a lot of Washingtonians have a three day weekend. With the extra day comes extra opportunity to take a day trip (or two) around the area. We polled our staffer for some good destinations in the area to share, so pump up the bike tires, get out the hiking boots or start the car (Zip, Flex, or your own). And if you have any other good suggestions, let us......

Torontoist visits the site of a new Frank Gehry structure, stalks "the elusive Bahamas streetcar", and watches Tom Green get surgery. Phillyist rejoices in the Phillies' wild card chances, mourns the injuries sustained by Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse, and goes pirate on our asses. SFist notes that Guns and Roses were in town, that San Franciscans are taking over reality TV, and that the San Francisco Chronicle's skills of original nomenclature could use some......

NBC4 has a story about national caffeine overlord Starbucks' continued efforts to lease space for a coffee shop to be located in the former site of The King of France Tavern, within the historic Maryland Inn in Annapolis. Initially rejected by the Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission last winter, Starbucks is scheduled to appear again before the commission tonight with a revised plan, which now includes a wheelchair lift, according to NBC4. The tavern, which opened......

If you're riding the Orange Line today, you may come across metrorail's first ad-wrapped train car. And which advertiser will you see sprawled out on the side of the train car? McDonald's. But don't worry "Super Size Me" fans, you won't see a Big Mac. Fries won't be there either. It's a healthier option: Locally, McDonald's is working with Metro in their efforts to generate additional revenue as the first advertiser as they launch the......

Yo HBO, didn't "K Street" go off the air sometime in 2003? Sure you can buy the DVD of the entire series, but we aren't sure targeting tourists at the Woodley Park McDonald's, where we took this photo, is the best strategy. Have you seen left-over "K Street" ads around town? Did you watch? (This DCist must admit, we did.)......

We hope you're enjoying your Presidents Day weekend, especially if you have Monday off from work. Although this photo taken outside the Adams Morgan McDonalds was posted on photogene's photoblog on Valentine's Day, we thought it works for this weekend as well since we witnessed a fight spill from the sidewalk to inside the McDonald's at 18th Street and Columbia Road and then back outside again. The Metropolitan Police officers breaking up the scuffle sure......

So the Amsterdam Falafel Shop has been up and running at 2425 18th St. in Adams Morgan for the past few weeks and though the buzz was low-key at first, foodies around town are starting to give their thumbs up. DCist hasn't been there yet, but here's what the eGullet food forum says. It's the real deal-- falafel fried to order, good bread, the huge array of toppings and sauces... Talked to one of the......

Honorary DCist and former president Bill Clinton has been hospitalized in New York City after complaining of chest pains. CNN.com is reporting doctors told the former president, who has no history of heart problems, that he needs bypass surgery. Clinton, who has sung the praises of the South Beach diet recently, used to be a regular patron of the 17th Street McDonald's, just up and around the corner from the White House.......

This week, Fox and the "American Idol" crew are in town to audition thousands of contestants at the Washington Conevention Center. Rising Idols from near and far, optimistic of their prospects for fame and fortune, were probably a bit peeved if they read the Post's take on the starsearch process. The way they see it, they are all destined for Hollywood, and they are all traveling under God's wing. They are all hopeful, and they......

The D.C. Public Library will feature Ronald McDonald as part of its "Summer Quest: Readers Rule" summer reading program for schoolchildren. Is this an innocent tactic to get young children excited about reading, or an evil ploy by the McDonald's corporation to hook kids on their fatty foods? After seeing Super Size Me, DCist isn't slightly suspicious ...Ronald McDonald at DC Public Library Ronald McDonald will visit children participating in the D.C. Public Library's Summer......