George Mason capped a successful holiday week by beating South Carolina yesterday to take third-place in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla. Will Thomas paced the Patriots with 22 points and 11 rebounds, solidifying his place on the All-Tournament team. George Mason kicked off their tournament with an 87-77 win over 18th-ranked Kansas State. John Vaughan's 21 points led the team, which put all five starters in double figures. Folarin Campbell's 25 points made... more ›

The skies are partly cloudy overhead with a high of 84 degrees and the winds are blowing a blustery four miles per hour. This can only mean one thing. Hockey is back in the Nation's Capital. Of course the Capitals would hardly know it tonight as they start their season in cold, rainy Atlanta, Georgia. At least they'll be home tomorrow to play Carolina. For the third year of probably only three years, the NHL... more ›

Servers aren't cheap, so we'd like to take a moment to thank the advertisers on DCist this week: more ›

When New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg sent undercover agents into Virginia gun shops to sniff out illegal sales earlier this year, he had one point to make -- Virginia's guns are ending up plenty of other places, where they have contributed to a number of killings. Predictably, Virginia officials were incensed at Bloomberg's interstate investigation, issuing the equivalent of a cease-and-desist letter and pushing a local gun rights group to organize a "Bloomberg Gun... more ›

Samuel Gompers is one of those names you vaguely remember from AP U.S. History, along with The Grange and the Know-Nothings. They fit in somehow, but you don't exactly remember why. While he may not be on the tips of people's tongues, he does have a rather large monument on Massachusetts Avenue NW near Mount Vernon Square. Gompers, born in London in 1850, was a major figure in the American labor movement, organizing and... more ›

Written by DCist Contributor Eli Resnick Several recent Washington Capitals draft picks and free agent signings have combined their efforts to take their team on a five-game winning streak, tightening the defending champions' hold on the league lead. Their team, of course, is the Hershey Bears, the Caps affiliate in the American Hockey League. However, far from a random factoid, this is terrific news for the Capitals, who can't always get by on the heroics... more ›

Written by DCist contributor Spencer Ackerman Never mind the endless D.C. barbeque debate. Neither minds nor palates will ever change in this feud of provincialism. Texans, you might as well stop reading here. For anyone who wants some real, no-nonsense Carolina pork barbeque, however, get out past gentrification's reach and into B & J North Carolina BBQ in LeDroit Park. This, my friends, is as authentic as it gets: you get a nose full of... more ›

Wasabi Wa-opens I have been searching for a good cafeteria-style Japanese place for a while. Since I'd be happy to go to Kotobuki every single day for lunch if it weren't in Outer Mongolia, the opening of Wasabi gives me great joy. Conveniently located at 17th and I Streets, NW, for you downtowners, it's a welcome addition to a scene dominated by places like the Park Place Gourmet. While my lunchtime map is roughly bordered... more ›

If DCist hears one more person talk about how great Breadline is, we'll scream. We'll scream a "here's where Cameron goes berserk" scream. Sure, the lunch spot on the 1700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW turns out what it should turn out: decent and sometimes exceptional bread. But the quality of what's inside those breads and what's served alongside them (and, some say, the bread itself) has diminished significantly -- especially since the French chain... more ›

From its Potomac River perch, the recently shuttered Potowmack Landing restaurant on Daingerfield Island just north of Old Town Alexandria featured some of the area's best views of Washington. Unfortunately, the uninspired fare meant that it often made more sense to pack a picnic and enjoy your lunch and the beautiful scenery from a grassy patch outside the place than to actually eat there. On April 10, the food will finally match the views... more ›

Last Saturday, Washington National Opera opened its new production of George Gershwin's classic American opera Porgy and Bess (1935), and this DCist was happy to be in the Kennedy Center Opera House for the performance Wednesday night. We know that many DCists wonder why we bother to cover things like opera and classical music, which seem too stuffy and expensive for many people. However, this opera especially is part of our heritage as Americans, and... more ›

MONDAY: >> It's a slow concert night around town. Head over to the Black Cat's backstage for Vintage DC Punk Video Night to benefit Jobs with Justice. 9:00, $5 TUESDAY: >> South Carolina natives Jump Little Children head north and set their sights on Arlington's Iota club tonight. All classically trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts, their first songs were based in Irish folk music and Delta blues, and has evolved over... more ›

While a small wine bar and restaurant on the beach in South Carolina may have very little to do with Washington D.C., it was this DCist’s summer vacation destination. A unique behind the scenes experience and extensive conversation with the head chef of 11 Center Street Wine and Gourmet (full disclosure: owned by this DCist's mother) proved the source of much inspiration. This tapas restaurant on Folly Beach has been kicking out upscale small plates... more ›

Evans to Hold Hearings on Stadium Financing: The D.C. City Council's Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), pictured at right, is taking in testimony on financing arrangements for a new Nationals baseball stadium today and Monday, May 16. Today's session will feature D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, District CFO Natwar Gandhi, and eight groups that submitted private financing proposals for the stadium. Monday's session, slated to begin at noon, will include... more ›

>> Despite their propensity to fight through injuries this year, the absence of All Star Antawn Jamison was evident last night as the Washington Wizards fell in Denver to the red hot Nuggets 127-98. Gilbert Arenas led the Wiz with 25, but the team shot just 39% from the field. Coach Eddie Jordan might want to look at the team's defense too. The Nuggets shot over 55% and it's never a good thing when... more ›

At the eastern end of Lincoln Park along East Capitol Street, there are bronze statues of a large woman and two large children (well, the statues are large). They are frozen in mid-dance, facing toward the city’s first statue of Abraham Lincoln and the Capitol in the distance. The figures are rough-hewn, like tree bark, and elevated on a massive stone platform itself about five feet high. The woman is Mary McLeod Bethune, and the... more ›

In the week since the NFL concluded its season with the Pro Bowl festivities in Honolulu, football fans have become reacquainted with their spouses and dependents, gotten out of their homes a bit more, and have been uncomfortably reminded of the National Hockey League’s non-existence. But even as the roar of the crowd and memories of another Patriots championship slowly fade, the front office of your Washington Redskins has been buzzing with activity. Tomorrow is... more ›

Less than one week after the D.C. Council voted to ban toxic chemicals from being transported through downtown Washington on freight trains, DCist saw a train with dozens of tankers some apparently containing industrial chemicals passing along a track which passes near many sensitive sites in city including Smithsonian museums, Union Station, and under part of the U.S. Capitol complex. The law does not take effect until signed by Mayor Williams, who has announced... more ›

Alrighty then, so much for momentum. After seemingly turning their lost season around with big victories over Duke and Georgia Tech (two Final Four participants from last year), Maryland laid an egg last night by losing on the road to ACC doormat Clemson. The 88-73 win marked the Tigers first victory over Maryland since the last millenium. "We're still trying to find our identity in terms of being able to play hard every night," Maryland... more ›

The D.C. Council will vote tomorrow on a proposal to ban transportation of hazardous chemicals through D.C. on rail cars. If the issue sounds familiar, it's because the Council considered and then rejected partly due to skepticism from the mayor's office. This time around the proposal seems to be a sure thing: nine members and the mayor have said they support the law. Although the council members have cited terrorism threats, a rail crash in... more ›

Before the rise of the Bush family, the Tafts of Ohio were the most successful political dynasty in the Republican Party. Along with the Democratic Kennedys and flexible Rockefellers, Roosevelts and Adamses, they remain one of the top political families in U.S. history. They are also the oldest still-active family, and longest-running direct descendancy, stretching from Secretary of War Alphonso Taft (1876) to current Ohio Gov. Bob Taft II. The middlemost member of this line,... more ›

New Train Fears Unwarranted, Says Schwartz: Despite new fears of disaster following the train derailment and subsequent chlorine spill in South Carolina, D.C. Councilmember Carol Schwartz (at right) says that there should be no concern of a repeat on rail lines running through the District. As the Post reports, Schwartz released information from a confidential meeting with the Homeland Security Department saying that such hazardous shipments have been rerouted around the city since the Madrid... more ›

2:15 a.m. ... It all hung on Ohio or it may still hang on Ohio. Some media outlets have put Ohio in the Bush column, but it appears that the Kerry camp hasn't given up all hope yet. Ohio's 20 electoral votes may be up in the air for days. There are still ballots to be counted. But right now, it appears that George W. Bush will be re-elected and Sen. John Kerry of... more ›

Grab your electoral maps political junkies and keep tabs on when each state will be called. We've compiled a list of when each state closes its polls. For more detailed info, check here. 6 p.m. EST. Polls close in Kentucky and Indiana. 7 p.m. EST. Polls close in Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia. 7:30 p.m. EST. Polls close in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. 8 p.m. EST. Polls close... more ›

While the race for the White House will dominate the Election Night coverage, the future of the Senate hangs in the balance tomorrow as voters in a handful of states will determine who will control the chamber. But the Republicans seem that they will likely hold on to their majority, though it will be very slim. South Dakota: After the Bush-Kerry matchup, all eyes will be on the Mount Rushmore State. There, former Rep. John... more ›

You may want to reconsider your Outer Banks Labor Day beach weekend. Don't cancel them just yet, but watch out. It appears that the region could be under threat next weekend from a powerful tropical system currently to the northeast of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Hurricane Frances is a powerful storm with winds of 120 mph, and the storm is likely to increase in strength. Capital Weather thinks it could increase to a... more ›