Local popsicle purveyor Pleasant Pops is asking for your votes to win $25,000 in a contest sponsored by American Express.

The District’s dining and drinking denizens have reason to toast each other today, after several of them were named as finalists for 2010 James Beard Foundation awards. Not only did a D.C.-area chef or restaurant make it into some of the heavy-hitter categories — José Andrés for Outstanding Chef of the Year (again!) and Johnny Monis of Komi for Rising Star Chef of the Year (also again!) — some chefs were honored for the…