The intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and 16th and U Streets NW, one of the city's busiest, has always been one of the more difficult traffic situations for Washingtonian cyclists to traverse. Often times, those on bikes (not to mention pedestrians) find themselves in the difficult position of having to break the law in order to safely navigate around the three-way confluence. Police had even set up traps to ticket cyclists who rode northeast up New Hampshire Avenue NW between T and U Streets, a one-way thoroughfare. But with the introduction of new contraflow bike lanes, unveiled this week, such issues could be a thing of the past. more ›

If you're heading out to lunch right now in the Dupont Circle area, consider stopping by to lend your support to a small protest against the imprisonment of 22 year-old Egyptian blogger Abdelkareem Soliman Amer, who was jailed by Egyptian government authorities for refusing to recant criticisms of repression and religious extremism on his blog. The protest started at noon, but they should be there for another 30 minutes or so, and we're all for standing up for a blogger's right to speak his or her mind freely and openly, anywhere in the world. More info can be found over here. more ›

In what could be described as either the rebirth of Fear Factor or Anthony Bourdain's dream come true, TasteDC.com -- that hard-hearted harbinger of haggis -- has organized the 1st Annual Unique and Unusual Food and Wine Festival. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 25 at the Women's National Democratic Club in Dupont Circle's Whittemore House, the festival will spotlight both rare ingredients and seldom seen animal parts that will make you moan with delight or squirm with disgust. more ›

Once mainly a dumping ground for hotels in easy striking distance of both Georgetown and downtown, the District's West End neighborhood has lately experienced a building boom that may bring more residents than ever into the quiet area east of Rock Creek Parkway, north of Foggy Bottom, and west of Dupont Circle. more ›

What is D.C.'s motto? Any idea who's always riding a horse in Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park? More importantly, who doesn't love a good online quiz? They are spectacular for passing the time as the hours creep and crawl towards the weekend. more ›

Yesterday, we fed you last-minute options for saving face with your sweetie. Today, we’ve put together a list of Valentine-y things to do for the less-committed that don't involve reaching deep into your wallet for dinner and drinks. more ›

With six days until their February 15 deadline, the effort to keep Heurich House open to the public continues to gain momentum. From the Heurich House website, here is a run-down of the upcoming events that are being held to raise funds for this great cause. Friday, February 10, 5:30 - 7:30pm American University Department of History Hosts Reception $15/$10 with university, museum, or preservation non-profit ID. Pay at the Door. The Department of History... more ›

TUESDAY Nextbook brings the hot and the hilarious to the DCJCC tonight, gathering Jonathan Ames (Wake Up, Sir), Lynn Harris (BreakupGirl.net, Miss Media) and Neal Pollack (Never Mind the Pollacks) for an “evening of erotic escapades.” The ideal way to get your J-Date in the mood. Tickets are available by calling 888-621-2230 between noon and 4 p.m., or can be purchased online at Nextbook. 1529 16th Street, NW, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY A wise man once... more ›

With a piece that illustrates the unique beauty and historical significance of the Heurich House, the Post has published an article on Washington's very own piece of the Victorian Era. From the article, docent Mary Anne Hoffman observes, "This is the last grand splash of high Victoriana," also noting that Heurich House is "a time capsule." The Post goes on to describe the intricate details and furnishings of the house, transporting the reader back to... more ›

Amidst the government buildings and the lobbyist wheeling and dealings, the essence of D.C. past and present is frequently lost. People are constantly saying that D.C. itself has no history. People lament how it's not a "big city," how it doesn't have the identity and flavor of New York, or Boston. more ›

What the District of Columbia lacks in democratic representation at the federal level, it makes up for in local pro-democracy groups: There's the Deaniac-led DC for Democracy, the adorable/annoying DC Young Suffragists (decide for yourself) and the the umbrella group DC Vote, under which other groups lend support to the movement. And there is another symbol of the District's yearning, one that doesn't move at all: the Democracy Tree at 21st Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW. more ›

Editor's Note: This preview of the Olney Theatre Center's Summer Shakespeare Festival comes to us from Missy Frederick, who has joined our staff to write about theater. DCist appreciates, heck, even admires the egalitarian nature of the annual Shakespeare Theatre Free For All's ticket giveaway madness that went down last month. The getting up early, the waiting in line for hours, then the returning to the amphitheater well in advance of curtain time only... more ›

The corner of New Hampshire Avenue and M Street has never been known as one of the city's most beautiful. With Don Shula's steakhouse, Lulu's Club Mardi Gras and the Exxon gas station in the center, you may wonder why the West End Ritz Carlton decided to set up shop on the edge of what could be described as a garish, undefined regurgitate semi-urban, semi-suburban architectural mess. Lulu's attempts to transform the corner of M and 22nd streets NW into a 'lil-bit-o Bourbon Street certainly haven't helped. more ›

A long time ago, before the Beltway and the Interstate highway system, a web of U.S. highway routes crisscrossed the nation, connecting cities, towns and villages. These U.S. highways still exist, but now only form the backbone of the nation's secondary federal highway system. Route 1, which passes through D.C. via Rhode Island Avenue and the 14th Street Bridge, links Maine and Florida. Route 50, coming straight down Consitution Avenue, links Ocean City, Md., with... more ›

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Although the Post might be stuck on the line at Potbelly's at L and 19th streets NW, those lucky enough to work in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (what we like to refer to as the 'axis of nonprofit power') know the area has plenty of interesting lunch options if you look beyond the big fast food chains. more ›

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Oh my. Everywhere we looked this around, we were swamped by a multitude of events having to do with pine trees and carols and lights and cookies. You know what that means: the holiday deluge is officially upon us! Enjoy the next few manic weeks. FRIDAY: >> The ambitious and genre-hopping Magentic Fields, spearheaded by indie-god Stephen Merrit, play the Birchmere in Alexandria. $25. 10 p.m. >> Debbie Stoller, author of the hit Stich 'N... more ›

A new law preventing stores in the District's Ward 4 from selling single bottles or cans of beer and malt liquor is causing City Councilman Adrian Fenty a lot of heat. Among small grocery owners, who say the new regulation is threatening their survival, Fenty is not the most well-liked guy. There was even a protest at the Wilson Building. more ›