Author George Pelecanos has been writing about life in D.C. for over fifteen years, but it’s not the Washington you expect. He shuns the overdone political thriller, with the glamorization of Capital Hill and shiny Northwest. Instead, Pelecanos finds the homegrown stories of families who’ve been here for generations. The author, who also contributes to HBO’s The Wire, was born in the city and raised in Mt. Pleasant (but now lives in Silver Spring), and…

Viridian Crosses Starting Line Engines thumping, and pumping in time. Everyone, including Daily Candy, Don Rockwell, aunts and uncles, etc. have been telling us that Viridian is opening this weekend. Looks like it’s true, despite the dose of snark in last week’s Feed. According to the owners, Rebecca Byrnes (formerly of The Reef) will be head chef at the 14th Street NW joint, and Kenan Forman will be in charge of the adult grape juice….

Don’t get yourselves down about the gloomy weather, fellow DC-ites. Capital Weather suggests that it’ll get sunny by tomorrow afternoon, and there are plenty of goodies to keep you occupied this weekend. FRIDAY: >> Local band Full Minute of Mercury (pictured here) plays the Velvet Lounge tonight. Read a review and see pictures over at Seeking Irony. She calls them “fun girl-fronted powerpop with a smile.” Plus, we think they’re hot. >> The Fraser Gallery…

– The Washington Post reports that “Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) shows his enthusiasm for the Bush/Cheney ticket by planning to have their names trimmed into the hedge at his home in Northwest Washington,” but also includes a photo of the hedge, already trimmed. Can a hedge be both not trimmed and trimmed at the same time? – The Post doesn’t seem too impressed with the Capitol Police checkpoints:” … Practices varied from checkpoint…

The Washington Post is reporting that the District seems to have taken the increased security alert in stride, with the increased searches of vehicles and police presence not significantly changing normal routines. Apparently only “short lines” formed at the entrance of the International Monetary Fund’s underground parking structure, as police quickly checked identification and swept the cars for explosives. The photo illustrates a private security office checking IDs at the door. Similar checks near Capital…