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. It heartens us that relief efforts seem to be making headway finally, but there is so much more to do. Look for benefit concerts, dinners, events, etc. to show up in our daily posts for the next few weeks, and make sure you get out there and take part. We were tipped off to a unique way to give. Coinstar machines will accept loose change donations for the Red Cross. Even your nickels can make a difference. And, if you feel constrained because you can’t physically help out down there, remember to see what you can do to help those in need locally.

Welcome fully to September D.C! And before we set off in high gear, here’s what happened last week on DCist.

>> DCist checks out (and recommends) Al Crostino on U Street, tries our hand at cooking Pad Thai at home, and reports the wonders of H-Mart in Fairfax.

>> Green Day plays Merriweather.

>> Transit on Thursday tips us off to WMATA’s schedule of outreach events for September’s National Emergency Preparedness Month and preps us for the Wednesday, Sept. 7 presentation “Planning DC’s Transportation Future: Transit, Streets, Traffic and Parking for a Livable City.”

>> At summer’s close we must bid adieu to summer fashions — good, bad and ugly.

>> September theater brings a hot pink highlighter to shows featuring women and Kafka.

>> We announced our first birthday party! Mark your calendars for Sept. 15 and join us at Stetson’s on U Street for cake, drink specials and the kind of irreverent revelry you have come to expect from DCist.

>> And finally, DCist says goodbye to two of our own.

Photo by adrummerboy. Uploaded on DCist photos Sept. 5.