Photo by Mr. T in DC

• You know a neighborhood is really in need of retail development when a new Au Bon Pain is cause for celebration. [Frozen Tropics]
• Submit your questions to DCist’s own Heather Goss, who will be doing a live chat over at Washingtonian at noon on Wednesday to give advice to home renovators.
• As gas prices go up, the VRE is gaining lots of new riders. As the VRE gains lots of new riders, the VRE is forced to skip stops due to trains being overcrowded. As the VRE skips stops, will people give up on making the switch to taking transit? [Examiner]
• The War on Squirrels is gaining ground. [Prince of Petworth]
• The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial gift shop and visitor’s center is moving to a new retail space at 400 7th Street NW. [Penn Quarter Living]
• In the impending D.C. FroYo Wars, soon to open Mr. Yogato has a leg up by having the best name.
• The D.C. Animal League has rescued a bunch of pets from the Iowa floods. Awwww. Many are available for adoption. [WJLA]