MONDAY >> The Library of Congress Mary Pickford Theatre in the James Madison Building kicks off 5 weeks worth of free Monday night rock and pop films with a rare showing of the 1966 documentary, The Big T.N.T. Show. David "Man from Uncle" McCallum hosts Ray Charles, Petula Clark, the Lovin' Spoonful, Bo Diddley, Joan Baez, the Ronettes, Roger Miller, the Byrds, Donovan, the Seeds, the Modern Folk Quartet, and Ike and Tina Turner taped... more ›

The Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Interim Library branch finally opened on Saturday, a full six months after the trailer first appeared on Rhode Island Ave. NW. Residents and neighborhood blogs had expressed frustration with the series of delays that prevented the temporary branch from opening as scheduled at the end of June, almost three years after the original branch was closed. Delays in getting electricity installed in the structure, and problems with the library's computer... more ›

>> The YMCA National Capital at 1711 Rhode Island Ave NW is hosting Mario Lopez and some one-named Broadway star for some dancin', and hoping you won't laugh. [via BrightestYoungThings] >> Salmon Try to Send Larry Craig Up the River [Wonkette] >> Mayor Fenty promised to speed up renovations on D.C.'s oldest pipelines, after low water pressure cost firefighters valuable time in last night's four-alarm Adams Morgan blaze. [WaPo] >> October 1 Means Its... more ›

Two of our favorite local acts, Le Loup and These United States are taking the main stage of the Black Cat tomorrow night, in celebration of the release of Le Loup's album, The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly. Both bands have graced the pages and stages of DCist in the past, so today we're trying something different. Le Loup's Sam Simkoff and Dan Ryan and TUS' Jesse Elliot and... more ›

Written by DCist Contributor Laura Logerfo For the central cathedral in a major city, St. Matthew’s somehow blends in. The Cathedral is surrounded by offices that stand nearly as high as the church, and its brick façade resembles that of adjacent buildings. It is situated near one of the busiest and trickiest intersections in DC, where Connecticut Ave., Rhode Island Ave., 18th and M Streets all meet. On weekends, city dwellers pass by the church... more ›

Good morning, Washington. An estimated 10,000 people attended the dedication Sunday of the official memorial for the 32 victims killed at Virginia Tech on April 16. Students at the university, about four hours outside D.C., begin classes for the fall semester today. On the same day as the dedication, about 23 Virginia Tech students living in an off-campus apartment building were taken to hospitals after showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Several of the... more ›

At Irvine Contemporary is Introductions3, a group exhibition featuring works of thirteen recent MFA grads from art schools across the country. According to Gallery Director Martin Irvine, Introductions3 is the first show of its kind at a commercial gallery, since similar shows stick to regional artists; instead Irvine branched out and reviewed 300 emerging artists nationwide. The selections were narrowed to 60 before a panel of art collectors committed to the final 13 emerging artists,... more ›

Isn't it Friday yet, Washington? Alas, we've still got to muddle through two hot, muggy days before what's looking to be another gorgeous weekend finally begins. With weather like this, you might be tempted to don footwear most people would deem inappropriate for work, like say, flip-flops. Other people might then be tempted to make fun of you for your choice of shoes, and they wouldn't be wrong -- flip-flops are, as we all know,... more ›

>> Mayor Fenty has named Shannon Lee Hader, an epidemiologist and public health physician who has directed the U.S. AIDS program in Zimbabwe, to head the District's HIV/AIDS Administration. [WaPo] >> D.C. Law enforcement officials are trying to seize control of a house at 1923 Rhode Island Avenue NE, a long-time location for illicit activity. [WJLA] >> A small plane crash landed in the Hollywood area of St. Mary's County. Two of three passengers... more ›

On Friday, we noticed for the first time that someone has painted over the second half of this famous Shaw neighborhood sign on 9th Street NW between Q and Rhode Island Ave. In its entirety, it used to read "Bienvenue a Shaw, Slum Historique." We still haven't been able to determine who painted over the "Slum Historique" part. more ›

Good morning, Washington. We hope you had a relaxing weekend, and weren't one of the people inconvenienced by the brief closing of a number of Metro stations on Sunday. The story goes that a contractor mistakenly spread commercial-grade rat poisoning in the middle of the day around several stations in D.C. and Maryland. When dozens of birds started dropping dead at the Greenbelt, Anacostia, Naylor Road and Branch Avenue stations on the Green line and the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood and Takoma stations on the Red line, an investigation quickly began that included the FBI and local hazardous-materials crews. All of the affected stations were reopened relatively quickly. more ›

Good morning, Washington. If you haven't already, make sure to take the time to read one of the stories that ran over the weekend about one of the important legacies Lady Bird Johnson left behind for our city: the work of her Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, which created more park space and added D.C.'s signature tulips, daffodils and cherry trees to existing triangles throughout the city. The Post has an excellent overview... more ›

The pattern has become almost predictable -- if violence breaks out somewhere in Ward 1, you can bet D.C. Council member Jim Graham will find the closest bar or restaurant, call it a "magnet for --------- (enter violent incident here)" and try to shut it down. Sometimes Graham's crusades are welcome, other times they are excessive. Graham last focused his energies on Joe’s Steak ’N Eggs, an eatery on 9th Street NW that was the... more ›

UPDATE: Thanks to Kiki Schneider for the new photo of the fire in action! Andrew Wiseman is the author of this post An orange Old Town Trolley bus burst into flames today just before 6 p.m. on Rhode Island Avenue, NW between 11th and 12th Streets. Before arriving on the scene, this DCist saw and smelled black smoke from outside the Mt. Vernon Square Metro at about 5:50 p.m. and 9th Street was hazy... more ›

Without a library since 2004, the Shaw neighborhood may finally be getting a place with walls to borrow books. The neighborhood's Watha T. Daniel library, as well as the Tenleytown, Anacostia, and Benning libraries, were supposed to have been renovated by 2006, but after a series of delays and cancelled contracts, there may be some book relief coming. We got an email from the D.C. Public Library via ANC commissioner Michael Bernardo saying a... more ›

DCist Headquarters has been abuzz this morning with accounts of District cops issuing tickets for jaywalking and other traffic violations. As part of a month-long campaign to promote pedestrian safety that began last week, police in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland warned both drivers and pedestrians that they'd be cracking down on bad behavior. Officers are apparently staying true to their word, and have been dealing out tickets like so many playing cards. Given that we reported a rash of jaywalking tickets this time last year, seems likely the nicer weather, much like a milkshake, brings all the MPD officers to the yard sidewalk. more ›

UPDATE: DDOT has also postponed the previously scheduled closures of the inbound lanes on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge this weekend to accommodate the marathon. DDOT has rescheduled the bridge work for next weekend, weather permitting. Nearly 5,000 runners will take to District roads tomorrow to compete in the Wirefly National Marathon. The race is set to start at 6:30 AM at RFK Stadium. As it takes runners through every quadrant of the city,... more ›

Well, D.C. we had a nice weekend together, didn't we? Perhaps we ran into you at the hugely successful opening of the inaugural DCist Exposed photography show on Friday, or we might have crossed paths out walking the dog in the fantastic spring weather. Or maybe it was just that extra hour of evening light created by Daylight Savings. In any case, it was good to see you. But now, it's time for coffee and the news: more ›

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... more ›

Former Editor-in-Chief Ryan Avent writes a weekly column about neighborhood issues. I know that certain, wonderfully stubborn organizations continue to press for an underground tunnel through Tyson's Corner. It's a very sensible thing to pursue, and I don't blame them at all. Still, there are advantages to running your rail above ground, if circumstances permit it. The view, for one thing. Simply by riding the Red Line east three stops out of Union Station, you... more ›

We've used the power of blogging to get potholes fixed, so why not use it to spur some local development? At least that's what one blogger and Shaw resident is looking to do. The anonymous blogger behind Off Seventh -- My Chronicles of Shaw is sick and tired of seeing properties in the fast-growing neighborhood boarded up and undeveloped, and he wants do something about it. He writes: My wife and I were heading to... more ›

Monday >> The hordes will flock to DAR Constitution Hall this Monday night to mark the return of Death Cab to D.C. with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. They recently added a second, Tuesday night show, but feel free to take your pick, as tickets are still available for both days. $34, 8 p.m. >> It’s black Monday in the district, as the nominal antithesis of the White Stripes, The Black Keys, complete another 2-day... more ›

If you're looking for a change of pace and need an industry that is sure to remain in business for years to come, consider escalator repair. Taking after DeVry and ITT Tech, Metro has kicked off a $1.5 million training lab for escalator repair, writes the Post. The lab will train the next generation of escalator repairmen, who, as we all know from experience, will have no shortage of work anytime soon -- on... more ›

Debating Where to Debate: It was big news a few weeks back when Marie Johns challenged Adrian Fenty to a duel...errr...debate during a phone call she placed to a radio show Fenty was guesting on. The ambitious one-on-one challenge by Johns was set for August 12 at high noon...errr...9 a.m. But WTOP is reporting today that both Fenty and Johns may end up debating themselves, because they can't seemingly agree on a location for their verbal joust to the death. Fenty claims that the deal was always that the debate would be held somewhere in Ward 8, where he promises to be on the set day. Johns, however, has countered, arguing that since Fenty chose the time and date, she should at least get to choose the location, which she did, opting for the Human Rights Campaign headquarters on Rhode Island Avenue and 17th Street. Neither seems willing to concede, so August 12 may see the two standing miles apart asking an empty podium questions about crime, education, economic development, and affordable housing. Inside sources tell us that the two might meet later this week to settle the dispute, though neither can seem to agree whether they should order in from Domino's or Papa Johns. more ›

On a transit system as big as Metro's, something invariably goes wrong. A track busts, a train craps out, or, in one of our favorite Metro mishap moments, something causes a 27-hour delay at the Stadium-Armory station. This morning, for example, service on the Red Line between Gallery Place and Rhode Island Avenue has been suspended due to a "police situation." more ›

If the closest you’ve come to attending an art show is buying a $17 sofa-size painting at a Starving Artist show, get a culture shock on Saturday at the Gateway Arts District Studio Tour. More than 30 painters, mixed-media artists, sculptors and photographers will open their studios as part of Mount Rainier Day in Prince George’s County. more ›

The Washington Times today features this quote, from a lawyer with an organization planning to oppose parking enforcement, "The law shouldn't be applied in a way that unfairly burdens churches...This double-parking law is unconstitutional because it puts an unfair burden on the religious institution." It's often the smallest issues that expose deeper rifts within a city, and the growing imbroglio over illegal church parking threatens to grow into a full-scale exposure of Washington tensions. This,... more ›

Below, we take a brief look at development stories along the Red Line, but first, a brief Ask DCist: more ›