Good morning, Washington. The city has experienced its first full weekend with the Obamas living here, and if we’re to use it as any kind of example, the future first family certainly don’t seem like they’re going to be wallflowers. As you already read, the president-elect had a half-smoke at Ben’s with Mayor Fenty, causing quite a stir on the U Street corridor on Saturday afternoon. Then later that night, the entire family made an impromptu visit to see the Lincoln Memorial. Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha hung out at the memorial of the president-elect’s hero for about 20 minutes. What do you suppose the over/under is on how long it’ll take District residents to get bored with Obama-spotting? Three months?

UDC Offers to Takeover Southeastern University: The Examiner’s Bill Myers reports that the University of the District of Columbia has made a takeover offer for Southeastern University. Both schools have long been seen as under-performing. Officials involved in the current restructuring of UDC have called for the school to adopt a community college-style curriculum; Southeastern offers 2-year associates degrees, so a merger between the two would potentially solve that problem.

Christmas Tree Fire Kills Family Dog: If you’ve been putting off chucking out your Christmas tree (you’re running out of time if you live in the District), read this story with caution. A Laurel family’s Christmas tree burst into flames while it was being removed on Sunday afternoon, injuring one woman and one firefighter and killing a family dog. Fire officials said the tree got too close to a fireplace.

Briefly Noted: Gunmen rob Takoma Park restaurant … One arrested after woman attacked at Reagan National … Pr. George’s police name county’s first homicide victim of 2009.

Photo by M.V. Jantzen