High winds yesterday caused some power outages, and caused this house under construction near Howard University to collapse. Today will be mostly sunny with highs in the 50s. (The photo is Courtesy of D.C. Fire and EMS, via the AP.)

Metro Board Doesn’t Ride Metro: Following up on an issue raised during last month’s first-ever town hall meeting, the Post has investigated just how much each member of the WMATA Board of Directors used the system. It turns out a majority have never ridden a train or bus, or can’t remember the last time then did. The only Board member who seems to use the system on a semi-regular basis is the representative of Prince George’s County, Charles Deegan, who eagerly handed over his ridership records. As regular riders of both the buses and trains in WMATA’s system, we salute Mr. Deegan!

Holdups in Northwest Connected: Police think four armed robberies in busy Northwest D.C. hotels (including the Wardman Park) may be connected, the Post reports. Police have stepped up patrols, and hotel officials seem understandably tight-lipped.

Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball Oversold: Too many tickets have been sold for the Texas State Society‘s Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball, to be held January 19, 2005, the AP reports. Just have to get tickets? Never fear, scalped tickets are for sale on Craigslist and EBay. The tickets seem to be going for around $1,000 each, although at least one Craigslist poster is shooting for $2,000 for each ticket.

Briefly: Researchers think a 400-year-old skull fragment found at Jamestown shows evidence of surgery … a group of women have created a nude cookbook in Frederick … why.i.hate.dc gets a new job, promises “full time” blogging …