Since 2001, the Smithsonian American Art Museum has honored one artist annually with the $25,000 Lucelia Artist Award. In order to be eligible, artists must be under the age of 50 and either American or living in the United States. Each of the five distinguished jurors, including artists, critics, curators and scholars, nominate three artists in recognition of their contribution to the art scene in the U.S. and abroad. Following initial selection, the jurors examine…

After only two days since the official start of the school year, the police have already been called to Southeast D.C.’s Ballou Senior High School. WUSA reports that a fight broke out in the school’s cafeteria on Tuesday. No one was seriously injured, but the incident resulted in five arrests. It’s just the latest problem for one of D.C.’s most chaotic schools. Back in 2003, you’ll remember that Ballou was closed for more than…

Good morning, Washington. Back in June, the Post rattled Metro’s cages with a four-part diagnosis of all the rail system’s ills. Today, the paper turns its attention to Metrobus, whose nearly half a million daily riders tend to come from the lower rungs of D.C.’s income ladder. The Post details a familiar list of problems, from aging equipment and mismanagement to poor route planning and chronic bunching. Here’s hoping the Post’s recommendations for Metrobus are…

You’ve been warned: your iPod may well be stolen while you ride the rails to and from home and work. What was once a phenomena limited to Boston and New York, iPod-related thefts have made their way down I-95 and are now affecting Metrorail commuters. Police recommend being discrete with your iPod, especially by avoiding the now infamous and easily recognizable white headphones. Butterstick Becomes Hottest Ticket in Town: Yesterday we complained of not…

Classical Music Agenda by DCist contributor Charles T. Downey of Ionarts If you have not done your civic duty and Taken a Friend to the Orchestra yet this month, Washington is not the place to try to make that happen in late May. We don’t have much to suggest for your classical listening pleasure this week, but you can keep yourself informed by following our Classical Week in Washington column at Ionarts. FREE CONCERTS: >>…

A 52-year-old man set himself on fire at the northwest gate of the White House around 2 p.m. today, the AP is reporting. After being doused by emergency officials, he was transported to Washington Hospital Center with burns on his head, back, arms and face. Several hours later, another man successfully scaled the White House’s 6-foot fence and landed on the other before being “pounced” by Secret Service agents, WTOP is reporting. There’s no word…