Welcome to Friday, Washington … and the last day of August, and the beginning of your holiday weekend, and more or less the end of the summer? This particular date, as you prepare for your weekend barbecues and last-minute getaways, is always a bit of a depressing occasion. It may not be the de jure end of the summer, but it’s certainly the de facto one. To cheer you up about the imminent demise of hot dogs and tan lines in your life, allow us to recommend this recipe. Happy end of summer, everyone!

Sen. Warner To Announce Plans: Virginia’s own senior Senator John Warner is set to announce today whether he plans to seek another term in the Senate. The moderate Republican and native of D.C. would be 88 years old at the end of another term, should he decide to run for one. Warner will make his announcement this afternoon at the University of Virginia, and we’re thinking about driving down to heckle him for still not being willing to commit to supporting D.C. voting rights.

Jury Acquits D.C. Detectives: A federal jury acquitted the two D.C. police detectives yesterday who had been on trial for charges they had coaxed witnesses to change their stories so they could frame a man for a killing at the old Club U in the Reeves Center. After deliberating for one day, the jury decided the the government’s case, which was a rare example of bringing such serious charges against police officers, was weak.

Briefly Noted: D.C. woman sentenced to life in prison without parole in MoCo … Driver injured when dump truck crashes into shed in Southeast … Md. gasoline that leaked into D.C. to be cleaned up … Aging Prince William County bridge shut down over safety concerns … $330 million Mega Millions jackpot tonight.

This Day in DCist: In 2006 we learned that Adrian Fenty was fully aware that his bald head occasionally gets too shiny, and in 2004 we noted the troubles of another Republican congressman, Ed Schrock, who was outed as being gay.

Photo by chip py the photo guy