Due to a citywide blood shortage, the D.C. Council is reportedly giving serious consideration to a law which would allow 16-year-olds to donate blood with parental consent. According to a report in the Examiner, the American Red Cross' supply of universal, type O negative blood is at "critically low" levels in Washington. (What, didn't you donate on World Blood Day?) Most states allow 16-year-olds to donate with consent; and with donations in a summer lull, it kind of seems like a no-brainer for D.C. to allow them to do so. And if a teenager can do it, so can you. Wondering where you can give? Enter your zip code at this website to find out. There are cookies and stickers involved -- I'm really not sure what other motivation you need, but I guess if helping save someone's life does it for you, there's that too. more ›

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, so consider this your PSA to make an appointment at a nearby donation center. You'll find this DCist editor at the American Red Cross at 2025 E Street NW this afternoon, downing free OJ and cookies. The Red Cross always has plenty of appointments open -- you can probably even stop by today, but you'll want to call 1 (800) GIVE-LIFE to check before you head down. For other locations, type in your ZIP Code here for donation centers all over D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. First-time donors can read here about the process and eligibility requirements; those who need a little convincing can read here about why blood donation is needed. (For example: A car accident victim can require up to 100 pints.) Of course, if you have Type O negative blood, the universal donor, your help is always needed. Don't forget, there are free cookies in it for you. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Given that A Charlie Brown Christmas was on TV last night, this story seems especially rough. Apparently some folks stole $1500 worth of Christmas trees from the Boy Scouts that were selling them. Remember kids: leave your clearly marked tree receipt out for Santa if you want your presents delivered promptly and with a minimum of additional paperwork. Latest On Taylor Murder Investigation, Funeral: The Post reports on the few details... more ›

With all the candy, booze, and general costumery around town during this time of year, it can be easy to forget that there are others far less fortunate than us snarky bloggers. And as the fall turns into winter, as we're able to find refuge from the cold, others are not always as lucky. With that in mind, FedEx Special Delivery and the American Red Cross have joined forces to collect blankets for programs in... more ›

So, who took place in yesterday's National Night Out? I have to admit that a combination of the heat and roundup duties kept me from joining my neighbors and local police officers in the barbeque and walk of the area that took place last night. But surely some of you participated in your own neighborhoods' Night Out events. How was it? Area Survives Heat, For Now: Today's Post covers the heatwave in the Metro section's... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Something tells us heading out to see a concert put on by a man who, due to a struggle with Hepatitis C, thought he might never be able to go on tour again will be an awfully positive, life-affirming experiece. And who couldn't use a little of that? The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra (he's pictured at right) is at 9:30 Club, with Lenny Kaye & Jon Dee Graham. $25, 8 p.m. >> Film Festivals!... more ›

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For the sake of not having to write separate posts for all these different yet interesting events, here is a list of some things you may not want to miss in the area this week. more ›

This one of those pictures that just makes you stop, makes you wonder, makes you want to ask, "Is that for real?" While we are not discounting the possibility that Council-member Adrian Fenty (D-Ward 4) may be the favored candidate in the much sought after 8-15 age-group, we are guessing that someone's parents are taking next year's mayoral race just a step too far. Hopefully she didn't run into the hyper-active nine-year-old with the... more ›

Friday, DCist went to the symphony, and we told you about the National Symphony's first concert and the schedule for the rest of their 75th anniversary season. September is also the time when our minds start to turn to thoughts of opera in Washington. Wouldn't it be great if there were some way to hear an opera and at the same time help suffering people? OPERA THIS WEEK: >> This Wednesday (September 14 at 7... more ›

Cookbook fanatic? Kinkead's fanatic? Simply a food lover? Head to Best Cellars Dupont this Saturday for the 2 p.m. signing of Kinkead's Cookbook: Recipes from Washington D. C.'s Premier Seafood Restaurant by Chef Bob Kinkead himself. The book offers more than 120 recipes from his Kinkead's repertoire. We are eager to try our hand at some of these. Recreating Kinkead's cuisine at home will definitely make the dinner guests return for more...unless we burn it in our less-than-state-of-the-art kitchen of course. The event also offers food and wine tastings. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today will be another beautiful day - mostly sunny, with highs in the lower 80s. Believe it or not, today is our first birthday. Yes, it was one year ago today when DCist officially launched. To celebrate, we've planned a little birthday party next week. Before then, however, is a Katrina Benefit Concert we're sponsoring at American University this Friday featuring local acts Gist, Cartel, Paul Michel, RPM, Laura Burhenn and Army... more ›

While we continue to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster that just over a week ago brought untold death and destruction to New Orleans and other cities and town along the Gulf Coast, we are similarly overwhelmed by the generosity of Americans and the international community alike. Individuals, groups, and organizations have led the charge in the Washington metropolitan area with a variety of fundraisers, more of which we feature here: -- Head... more ›

So, the unofficial close of summer has come and gone in a spectacularly gorgeous weekend. Agree? But we all know that living in the District not only means our dog days linger longer than August, but also that the best of 2005 is yet to come, with fall weather making its slow and graceful entrance in the next few weeks. Our thoughts this past week have been preoccupied with the devastation in the Gulf Coast.... more ›

As we reported on Friday, the Moms on the Hill (or MoTHs, whose activities we are documenting at Ionarts) and their friends continue their efforts to get the money and donated items they have collected thus far to the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. News reports on WTOP last night speculated that perhaps no evacuees were coming to Washington, but today we have learned (as reported in the Post) that 400 evacuees will arrive today by airplane from Arkansas, where the government, already overwhelmed, asked the District government for help. The buses that were sent down are still planning to fill up with anyone who wants to evacuate Louisiana and come to Washington, which means that the District may eventually be hosting more than 1,000 evacuees. Churches and private citizens have offered long-term help for those arriving, spare the initial relief they will be granted in the D.C. Armory. more ›

It's Labor Day weekend, and you thought everybody had gotten the hell out of Dodge City, hadn't you? Well, they probably have, and we're experiencing serious envy of anyone who's on a beach right now with a margarita in hand. But don't despair - there's still tons to do in D.C. this weekend, and we've rounded up the best of the best for you to do in a special extended version of Weekend Picks. But... more ›

While local and federal official scramble to adequately respond in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, individual donations are fast approaching $100 million, reports the Post, while communities and organizations have started campaigns to offer cheap or free housing to the thousands left homeless in the hurricane's wake. Below are more local events to benefit the victims and information on how you can help: more ›

Thanks to a DCist reader, we bring you more info on another worthy fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, this one taking place on September 12. Please keep directing information our way, and we'll keep posting it. more ›

The hurricane may have passed, but the situation in New Orleans and along the Gult Coast remains dire. Flooding continues in the Big Easy, while power outages have added another level of difficulty to organizing rescue efforts in areas of Mississippi. While the Post today published an extensive list of charities and relief organizations to which donations can be directed, a group of large-hearted Washingtonians has announced a benefit happy hour, whose proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today our thoughts are outside the beltway and with the people in the regions bracing for the wrath of Katrina, which made landfall this morning. Katrina may have been downgraded to a category four hurricane, yet it remains among the most powerful to ever hit the continental U.S. Our friends at Capital Weather have been following the storm closely and have posted a trove of commentary and insight. Our thoughts are with the people in New Orleans and other coastal communities who were unable to flee the storm. One reader wrote to us suggesting we link to the American Red Cross, an organization who we are sure is already preparing to provide assistance in the affected areas. We'll be following events closely today and encourage our readers to leave suggestions for other worthwhile charities in the comments. more ›

Well, this weekend looks like it’s going to be absolutely gorgeous, so we’re hard pressed to recommend doing anything besides rolling around in the grass outside. With a beer. Or seven. That’s our plan, at least. But if you’d like more options, our suggestions follow. And don’t forget to plan ahead: DCist’s Unbuckled concert, featuring Cartel and Bicycle Thieves, is a little less than two weeks away! FRIDAY: >> The third annual AFI and Discovery... more ›

It has been a so-so past couple of weeks for gay and lesbian equality in the metropolitan D.C. area, with news both good and bad happening on either side of the District. Virginia veered ever so slightly from the path to becoming the most anti-gay state in the Union, while Maryland managed to defeat two anti-gay bills in committee. February was not a good month for gays and lesbians in Virginia, as the state Assembly... more ›

If you can make it through the 4-5 inches of snow that are sure to shut down our fair city this weekend, we've got some picks to round out your weekend of snowball fights and hot chocolate. FRIDAY: >> Velvet Lounge celebrates its sixth birthday this weekend with a Friday lineup of Meredith Bragg and the Terminals, The Small Shouts (featuring Olivia from Washington Social Club), Debutants, and Greenline. >> On-the-rise female rapper Jean Grae... more ›

This weekend's Sunday Source noted that several area restaurants are donating part of their profits to Tsunami relief. The arrangements across town vary. Some restaurants are offering specially priced menus, while Kaz Sushi Bistro is sponsoring a raffle to benefit UNICEF and The Brickskellar is donating 10% of all draft beer sales to the International Red Cross. However, if you're reluctant to come into the city (and who wouldn't be, with the warnings of traffic woes?), there are also plenty of options for you in Northern Virginia. more ›

NBC will be putting aside it's usual Saturday night line up of Law and Order reruns to air a special benefiting victims of the deadly tsunamis in southern Asia. Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope will feature musical performances, some serious Hollywood muscle and at least two former presidents this Saturday at 8 p.m. Clear Channel, the parent of DC101, will also broadcast the concert live. Expect to see everyone from recently separated Brad Pitt... more ›

As today's Post notes, many in the D.C. area have been personally affected by the deadly tsunami that struck Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand this past weekend. DCist is at a loss for words. The disaster struck some of the poorest regions of the world, and we encourage all of our readers to do what they can to send some help to the region. The Sri Lankan Association of Washington D.C. provides an opportunity... more ›