Photo by philliefan99

Things might be slowing for the holidays elsewhere, but in Washington there was still plenty of fun to be had this week. Marion Barry turned heads on Twitter and toyed with nuclear terminology, we found out exactly where D.C. ranks for people seeking butt implants and, oh yeah, the federal government nearly shut down. Again.

• After some grousing on this website, the federal government narrowly avoided running out of money—and taking down the D.C. government with it—for the third time this year.
• Also, there were a couple of visits to Congress by D.C. voting-rights protestors this week: A group of Occupy-borne hunger strikers who huddled outside House Speaker John A. Boehner’s district office, and a rally on Capitol Hill where four were arrested.
• Incumbent councilmembers are racking up campaign donations for their 2012 races, though shadow senator candidate Pete Ross writes himself his own big checks.
• Two polls told us things about Washington-area residents that might make some grimace. A survey about road rage says that while D.C. drivers are among the country’s nicest, they lead the nation in intentionally ramming other vehicles. Meanwhile, a poll commissioned LivingSocial found that we’re No. 6 for butt implants.
• Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry got wind of Spike Lee’s announced biopic about him, requesting the director get in direct contact regarding the casting of Eddie Murphy as the mayor-for-life. And we tried to teach Barry the meaning of “irradiate.”
• Taxi fares might be going up again. Of course, with a new app, you can hail yourself a black Towncar.
• All kinds of food news this week, with Heritage India reopening, a legit deli coming to Dupont Circle next summer and the tantalizing prospect of Trader Joe’s at 14th and U streets NW.
• In music, the lo-fi band Cigarette got the Three Stars treatment, and we told you about some upcoming shows as well as a new Internet station for local music.
• Ian Buckwalter had glowing things to say about Young Adult, pretty positive feelings toward Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and some disappointment with A Dangerous Method.