On December 23, Brickskeller closed, ending an era in beer drinking for Washingtonians. According to Young & Hungry, the space will reopen as Bier Baron on Wednesday, December 29 at 6 p.m. Owner Megan Merrifield notes that they will be offering a 500-beer selection with promises that - unlike with the former occupant - it will remain up-to-date. Pretzels and pierogis will grace the food menu, as well as desserts in collaboration with PS7's pastry chef Zak Miller. The article also notes that the Hotel Baron will open above in a few weeks – all the better for those who might choose to overindulge. more ›

It looks as if the whispers about the selling of the Brickskeller have developed into a full-on roar. This morning, WTOP reporter Adam Tuss tweeted about a conversation he had with the new incoming owners of the bar -- and Megan Merrifield and her husband, who own a few hotels around the city, divulged some of their ideas for what they plan on putting there in its place. According to Tuss, Merrifield will close on the property on December 23, and will reopen under a new name -- Rock Creek -- on December 26. more ›

It wasn't a very merry Christmas for Michel Morauw, the manager of the Park Hyatt Washington Hotel. NBC4 reports that an MPD officer shot and killed Morauw's dog on Monday in a small park adjacent to Rock Creek Park at 24th and N Streets NW. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Yesterday afternoon Roll Call had the story of a potential suspect finally being identified in all those strange Senate bathroom fires from the last few months. Capitol Police Officer Karen Emory recently has been suspended in connection with the fires, although it still hasn't been confirmed whether she is definitely a suspect in the case. No charges have been filed, but color us a little disappointed if it turns out a... more ›

We were alerted yesterday via the Art Law Blog that the U.S. Department of the Interior is gearing up to change motion and still photography rules on federally run lands. In an amendment to current regulations, three DOI agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Services, and the National Park Service, will be authorized to charge standardized fees to and require a permit from commercial photographers who want to shoot in an area... more ›

>> Ocean City: Making it harder to score hookers on your beach weekend since 2007. [WTOP] >> Metro is going to start distributing free bottles of hand sanitizer in stations beginning next week, in an effort to prevent the spread of flu germs. Except only 2,000 riders at each station will get them, on a first come, first served basis. We'd like to suggest they distribute them based on filthiness. You should have to... more ›

Good morning, Washington, and welcome to September. After what was quite possibly the most beautiful weekend in the history of late summer weather in this city, we've finally arrived at the date many of us still associate with "back-to-school" -- the Tuesday after Labor Day. So sharpen your pencils, polish your lunchbox and make sure you have the right Trapper Keeper as we check out today's headlines. At Least Four Weekend Killings: The Examiner... more ›

>> "Florida's top police agency said Wednesday its investigation into former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley's lurid Internet communications with teenage boys has been hindered because neither Foley nor the House will let investigators examine his congressional computers." [AP via TPM] >> "A New Carrollton mother accused of leaving her five young children in filth pleaded guilty in the case on Thursday." [NBC4] >> "A D.C. Superior Court judge today sentenced a former D.C. police... more ›

>> Bobby Boswell sounds off with a strongly worded criticism against ESPN's refusal to acknowlege a fantastic game of soccer in favor of nonstop coverage from the "Beckham Cam." [D.C. Sports Bog] >> Fare thee well, Rock Creek Rambler. >> Late Wednesday afternoon, a portion of the ceiling on the underside of the outdoor overhang in the “lower plaza” area of the State Department's Columbia Plaza complex fell down, damaging several cars parked underneath.... more ›

It's hard to believe it's been six years since congressional intern Chandra Levy disappeared. This week marks five years since her body was finally discovered in Rock Creek Park, almost 13 months after she vanished without a trace. No one has ever been charged with her murder. more ›

If you see emergency response vehicles zipping around town laden with folks shouting into walkie-talkies about evacuations and floods, don't be alarmed. Today Washington area officials are running their first ever joint hurricane response exercise. Federal workers, along with their counterparts from D.C., Maryland and Virginia are gauging the region's ability to deal with a watery disaster. While most associate hurricane-strength storms with the Gulf Coast and tropical climes, many vividly remember the destruction wrought... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Don't forget to check out our guide to the Six Points Music Festival as it takes over the town in its second weekend. We're going to once again heartily recommend you head to Iota to catch Unbuckled alums Middle Distance Runner headline a show that also features Unbuckled alums These United States, plus Pittsburgh's Black Tie Revue. Get there early -- this is going to be a packed house for sure. $10, 9:30... more ›

Our friends over at OffSeventh are, if you pardon the expression, losing their shit over some pet owners' inability to pick up after their pooches. They're up in arms over a monumental amount of dog waste occupying a strip of sidewalk on 9th Street. The city is littered with signs warning people to curb their dogs, or face a weighty ticket. Yet it's clear that a few dog walkers still aren't scooping the poop.... more ›

It was two years ago that we first took notice of D.C.'s new population of coyotes. Back then we worried about the threat of an international incident as the animals made their way to Embassy Row. Today the Post confirms that coyotes continue to roam the edges of Rock Creek Park, bringing them in much closer contact to city residents. This is one case of animal/human cohabitation that can't be blamed on urban development pushing... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today is the day of the Voting Rights March. If you can, gather at Freedom Plaza at 2:30 p.m. to march to the capitol with your friends from DCist and other Washingtonians. Or, just meet us for the rally planned at 4 p.m. at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Either way, we hope you make it out for at least one hour to show your support for District voting rights. Don't let this... more ›

Yesterday Mayor Fenty made his way to the far north end of the city with plans to demolish a brand new home. Why would the mayor and neighbors invite the media to see the shiny, $1.5 million building dismantled piece by piece? The answer lies in an almost farcical gaffe on the part of city officials and the federal government's control over lands in the District. We've mentioned it briefly before, but the full story... more ›

A residency at DC9 is no shabby way to send off a band, but seems like strange timing. Monopoli has been gigging constantly around the D.C. area and, more recently, all around the world since 2004. They've made a name for themselves filling rooms with fans and their polished, radio-ready sound. Collecteing accolades and great reviews, selling out the first pressing of their E.P. and pushing themselves to tour and play as much as possible, the band is going out on a high note. Monopoli seemed ripe for a record deal, so it's a real shame to see them say goodbye so soon. What could have caused such a sudden end? Rock Creek Rambler suspects Anna Nicole Smith and Scooter Libby may have had a part. As for the guys in the band, we suppose they're getting started on that whole life of leisure thing. Good luck to you all, and thanks for the good times.
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By new DCist contributor Analiese Bendorf Ducks and Creeks Fans of Bethesda's calorie-conscious Rock Creek Restaurant will soon be able to nosh on guilt-free grub at a second location in the District, where owners Tom Williams and Judy Hammerschmidt plan to open Rock Creek at Mazza Gallerie. Tom Sietsema reports in this week's Dish that former 1789 chef, Ris Lacoste, will lend a seasoned hand by interviewing potential chefs for the Mazza location, before turning... more ›

>> It's not tough to earn the ire of Rock Creek Rambler, but when you make it this easy, we have to wonder whether or not you're doing it on purpose. Though we have to hand it to you, the line, "Let me just say, it was to hard to organize resistance to you!" will go down in history as the one that made the entire DCist staff snort Diet Dr. Pepper through their noses simultaneously. [Missed Connections] more ›

Hope you didn't stay up too late debating the President's speech with friends last night, Washington. We stayed up a bit past our bedtimes ourselves, mostly pondering the rhetorical significance of the difference between the phrases "mistakes were made", and "where mistakes have been made". Either way, we take full responsibility for any mistakes that were/have been made in this morning roundup, which was completed with the known unknown of the amount of sleep we... more ›

Good morning, Washington. As you may have heard, former President Gerald Ford passed away yesterday. The Post has all of the currently available details, as well as the detailed obituary you would expect. Moussaoui Barriers To Remain In Alexandria: The Post reports on a story near of particular interest to us. Alexandria resident Jim Savage has been trying to get rid of the allegedly-temporary security barriers that were placed around the town's courthouse for the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui. Now that the trial has concluded, the barriers should presumably be removed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, officials disagree, and they now say that the barriers will be replaced with permanent versions. We suppose it's best to let the experts make the call, but we still can't help despairing at the idea of D.C. and its suburbs being permanently disfigured by the last half-decade's (admittedly understandable) invasion of jersey barriers, bollards and poorly-placed planters. Introducing The Singing Cabbie: NBC4 warns us to keep an eye out for Diamond Cab number 555. Manned by Ricky Celdran, passengers in the taxi are treated to performances of songs from the driver's repertoire of about thirty tunes. We can't tell if this would be fantastic or horrifying. Has anybody run into Mr. Celdran? Fatal End To Standoff With Reservist: The standoff between Maryland police and an army reservist has ended tragically, according to the Post. James Emerick Dean had barricaded himself in his father's house after receiving news that he would be headed to Iraq. The authorities were called, the situation escalated, and Dean was ultimately shot by a sheriff's deputy. Briefly Noted: Fundraising going well for Fenty's inaugural party... Virginia DNA review project not going so well... Man rescued in Rock Creek Park... Seriously, don't thaw pipes with a blowtorch... New condos planned for top floor of building housing soup kitchen... No blue laws on New Year's Eve, either... This Day In DCist: One year ago we reviewed Wicked and celebrating some Washington sports victories.. Two years ago we brought news of Wegmans and covered an MMORPG with a local connection. Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user christaki more ›

It seems that with the coming of the holidays, folks in D.C. are a bit too busy to head out with their cameras and submit tons of great shots to the DCist photos pool. Which is all well and good; I'll take this opportunity to head back in the archives and pick a photo of something I'd love to see right now: ambib's lovely shot of Rock Creek Parkway blanketed in snow. Maybe January will be different, but I don't think we'll be seeing a white Christmas this year, sadly. Exif data. more ›

We’re mourning the latest casualty of the war on jukeboxes, as news comes to us via Rock Creek Rambler that earlier this month Fox and Hounds took the plunge and replaced their jukebox with a new-fangled super computer known as the Touchtunes digital music player. While the old jukebox was beloved by many for its rustic charms and eclectic CD collection, the Touchtunes cares not for the trifling whims of mortals. The ersatz jukebox is not really a box at all, nor does it juke. It is a flatscreen portal hanging on the wall, and rumor has it that if you stare at it for too long you start involuntarily singing “Fergalicious.” more ›

UPDATE: WTOP is reporting that part of a building under construction in Rosslyn has collapsed, and that there are reported injuries, but at this point they don't know how severe. The building is at the corner of North Lynn Street and 19th Street. We'll update again when we learn more. MORE: "Arlington Police spokesman John Lisle says a slab of wet concrete partially collapsed on the 24th floor of the building on North Lynn Street." There are 2 or 3 workers believed to be trapped in the building, the extent of their injuries still unknown. WTOP Traffic reports access to the Key Bridge from Rosslyn is closed, along with Fort Myer Drive. MORE: Looks like a total of 16 workers were injured in the collapse, with three now in critical condition. Full story here. more ›

>> New Police Chief Cathy Lanier on being a woman in the Metropolitan Police Dept.: "Lanier says she wants to tell her story so it will help other women who face similar challenges. She describes how she faced a constant barrage of sexual harassment when she first came on the force in 1990. 'I've had police officers expose themselves to me riding around in a patrol car. {I was} assigned with a training officer who... more ›

>> The Yellow Line is back in full service after an accident killed Leslie A. Cherry, a veteran Metro employee from Maryland, while he was conducting a routine track inspection. Another Metro employee is currently in critical condition at an area hospital. Our thoughts are with the families of both employees, as well as the train operator involved in the accident. >> Don't forget to head to down to Ireland's Four Fields Pub in Cleveland... more ›

It's been a tradition since time immemorial (or at least since pagan days): the Christmas tree. A reader getting into the holiday spirit wondered where to get their piney living room centerpiece in the city, since it's probably frowned upon to take a saw to some trees in Rock Creek Park. Thankfully, at least for those among us with the Christmas spirit, trees are available all over the city. Here's a few of our... more ›

>> Is that a branch of Rock Creek or is Q St. just happy to see us? It's wet out there and many D.C. streets and sidewalks are swelling over. Parts of our area are still under siege from a storm front that turned deadly in N.C . A flash flood and tornado watch for D.C. should expire at 6 p.m., but don't expect to find completely dry conditions on the commute home. Elsewhere, Stafford,... more ›

>> Okay, not technically voting news, but we're convinced that Britney Spears is filing for divorce today in order to sway the elections in some manner. Perhaps going on a campaign of "Don't Marry Total Effing Idiots"? [TMZ]

>> Robocalling — the new hotness? Over on his personal blog, DCist Tom explains just how it's done — and just how easy it is to do. Please don't try this at home. Seriously. [Manifest Density]

>> Representation: a right that even those in remote Tajik villages get to have. Meanwhile, here in D.C., we just get to sit around and be bitter. [SueAndNotU]

>> The GOP — could they possibly, POSSIBLY, be realizing the fact that the same sex marriage ban is completely and utterly embarrassing, humiliating, and totally stupid, amongst many other adjectives we could think of? Ehhh...probably not. [piece of ass]

>> Want to feel all inspired and patriotic? Check out the hundreds of "I Voted" pictures floating around on Flickr. It'll give you the warm and fuzzies. [Flickr]

>> Tired of the status quo here in D.C.? It may be a bit too late now, but consider a write-in campaign for a candidate who recommends that "Smith Point should be fire bombed." Sounds good! But on the other hand, he believes North Cleveland Park is a neighborhood. [Rock Creek Rambler]

>> We've been hearing that "I voted" stickers aren't being handed out at some polling places in the city. Which, outrage. Maybe that's what happened to the man in Pennsylvania who destroyed a voting machine with a metal cat statue. Which is the awesomest sentence we've typed in a long time. [Wonkette]

Photo from Flickr user hey-helen more ›