We here at DCist are all about community development, and certainly the knowledge contained in our public libraries is a valuable resource that should be kept well maintained and freely available. Reading is FUNdamental, no? We just wish that for once, a government task force could report back to the mayor without bringing along a nine-digit number. The latest to issue a draft report thusly was the Mayor’s task force on D.C.’s public libraries, which…

We hope you all had yesterday off, like we did. If we’d been here to write the agenda, we would have told you to check out The Greek Embassy and Paul Kamran at Galaxy Hut. But we weren’t so we didn’t. If anybody caught the show, we’d love to hear how it was. TUESDAY >> The excitement of 24 and The Golden Globes may leave you feeling a little empty tonight. What better way to…

Yes, it is about that time of year again. That time when DCist comes out from behind our computer screens to prove that we do, in fact, have lives and personalities. And we’d love for you to join us. Since we imagine we’re not incentive enough, we’ll have drink specials, giveaways, and DJs. And if you were under a rock this week, this is what you may have missed: — Marion Barry reacquainted himself…

FRIDAY >> Start the night off right at the DCist Happy Hour at 51st State. We’ll all be there to celebrate our nation’s veterans in the traditional manner: by drinking heavily. >> Who doesn’t love a DJ who posts iPod playlists on the Internet so you can recreate a great night of dancing anytime, anywhere (especially when those playlists include choice selections like Kaiser Chiefs, The Rapture and James White and the Blacks)? Come celebrate…

Man, after last night’s DCist Happy Hour, we’re not sure we want to do anything for the rest of the weekend except curl up in our beds and pound Advil. But for the rest of you folks, here are some events we think are worth dropping by. FRIDAY: >>In this week’s Art Agenda, we erroneously reported that photographer Samantha Wolov’s exhibit opened Saturday evening; the opening actually takes place tonight from 6 p.m. to 9…

Despite the rain that hit the District for the second Saturday in a row, our Nats defeated the Mets in a rain shortened 8 inning game, bolstered by a strong performance from Tomo Ohka (pictured at left thanks to Flickr user dcjohn, author of Prod & Ponder). And the Wiz won their first playoff game in 17 years (more on that later). Quite a good weekend for D.C. sports fans. Missed anything on DCist last…

May 5 is always an important holiday. It’s where we celebrate Mexico’s 1862 victory at Puebla over the French. And this year, it’s technically 05/05/05. So there’s even more reason to remember Benito Juarez and the Mexican battlefield win. So why not do it with DCist? Remember, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Amigos don’t let Amigos Drive Drunk. You can take the 42 bus. Where: Chief Ike’s Mambo Room, Columbia Road, Adams…

We really wanted to title this Out and About: This Will Be Short Because We’re Tired From DCist Happy Hour Edition. But brevity is the soul of wit! FRIDAY: >> Drummer Cindy Blackman (who used to play for Lenny Kravitz), is bringing her jazz styling to the Blues Alley in Georgetown. >> The National Philharmonic plays the beloved season favorite, Handel’s Messiah, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville. 8 p.m. Call 301-762-8580 for…

We’d like to thank everyone who made it out to our happy hour tonight at the Big Hunt in their newly renovated basement bar, “Satan’s Kitchen.” Yes, DCist contributors and readers mingled amid satanic imagery, and a good time was had by all, as far as we know. Someone earned a free drink after guessing Mike’s elaborate riddle, which he’s promised to explain in another post. Click beyond the jump for more photos! See…

Take a break from the holiday mayhem and come and have a few drinks with DCist! We’re holding our second happy hour at The Big Hunt near Dupont Circle next Thursday, Dec. 16, 6 – 9 p.m. DCist editors and contributors will be milling around, meeting with our readers and celebrating our first few months of blogging about all things Washington. Assuming you can find the staircase that leads to the basement, we’ll be in…