Welcome back from your holidays, DCist readers. We hope they were filled with turkey, or turducken, or whatever floats your boat. Around here, the long weekend seemed to be filled with totally awesome global warming. 65 degrees in November, anyone? Anyway, gloat over the Redskins’ win as we ease you back into the working week with the news.

Even More Reasons to Fear the Suburbs: Because, oh my lord, now they’re ruining Christmas. The Post reports that excessive development out in the suburbs is creating more demand for Christmas trees, but at the same time pushing tree farmers further and further out. The article notes that, “Unlike subdivisions, which seem to sprout from the land in a single construction season, Christmas trees take 10 years to grow tall enough for market.” And the development is pretty much screwing everything up. Bah! Humbug!

Representation, Shreprensentation: Some residents in Wards Four and Seven are feeling slighted in terms of representation in our own city. Turns out that when Fenty becomes Mayor, his seat on the City Council won’t be filled until a special election is held in the spring—and the same with the seat of Vincent Gray, who’s leaving to become chairman of the council.

Zoo Bans Smoking: Secondhand smoke is bad for pandas, too. The zoo has decided to ban smoking in its outdoor areas, according to local reports. But the banning comes not so much because of actual health concerns, and more because zoo officials are concerned that things could go up in flames. Apparently last month there were small mulch fires on zoo grounds that sparked (heh heh) concerns.

Briefly Noted: Small fire on the grounds of the Veep’s house … Elderly woman dies in Chevy Chase fire … Maryland map shows deer hotspots …

This Day in DCist: DCist Hemal gave you an Opinionist on neighborhoods.

Photo by Flickr user Andertho