Photo by Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie

Good morning, Washington. Our best recommendation today? Don’t plan on driving. Plenty of feet will maneuver within the confines of the District today, what with the National Marathon winding its way around town and an ANSWER anti-war demonstration march centralized near the White House. (Though some just couldn’t wait the one more day to get their “mobile street dance party” brand of activism out there.) But we understand that the weather is far too nice to not go outside. So before wandering out, be sure to consult the list of bus delays and road closures for the Marathon. DDOT’s got most any other piece of information that you might need to know about concerning getting around today, including Circulator detours and everything else.

In other news this morning:

>> We mentioned it a couple of days ago, but more details are trickling out about the proposed merger of H Street nightspots Palace of Wonders and The Red and the Black. From Black Plastic Bag: “the Red and Black Palace. That’s what nightlife mogul Joe Englert, an owner of the Red and the Black, wants to call it.” (Wait, really?) Also: Englert is aiming for an opening in six months, the new venue would hold around 250 people, and would still feature both burlesque shows and live bands and DJs.

>> Michelle Rhee will tap former White House communications director and Democratic media consultant Anita Dunn to manage her media image, including assisting with the upcoming announcement of the new labor contract between the school district and the Washington Teachers’ Union.

>> BGR The Burger Joint’s Twitter feed says that production crews for Top Chef are already in town.