Through a pre-coffee haze this morning, we were a little confused by an AP story up on WTOP about how the Smithsonian is looking for someone to move in and take over its Arts and Industries Building. Why did it seem so … familiar? Oh right. Because the Washington Post wrote the same story back in May. So why did the AP pick up on it today? Because the The Smithsonian Institution issued yet…

The Smithsonian Institution is searching for a public or private partner to redevelop and rent the historic Arts and Industries Building, since, according to the Smithsonian’s facilities director, William W. Brubaker, the Institution “does not have funding now or in the foreseeable future to rehabilitate” it. The 126-year-old building, the second-oldest next to the Smithsonian Castle, has been closed for three years “in preparation for renovation” since the roof began collapsing — but no work…

We spend plenty of time complaining about the state of the region’s public transit network, be it delays on Metrorail, unpredictable arrival times for Metrobuses, or just too much traffic along area roadways. But at least we don’t have to hitchhike to work. Today the Post features an entertaining feature on John Schindel, a Stafford County man whose decade-old DUI conviction has left him at the mercy of fellow motorists to get him to and…

>> Studio One Eight, a new alternative art space in Adams Morgan, opens its first a new show this week. Threesome: A Girl, a Guy, and a Gay features figure drawings and paintings by D.C. artists Dana Ellyn, Greg Ferrand and Scott G. Brooks. The artists’ reception is Saturday night from 7 – 10 p.m.; miss that and you’ll need an appointment to see the show. Ferrand’s “Mortality recognized at breakfast” is shown at right….

We once had a housemate who had a winter internship at the Smithsonian and worked in the Arts and Industries Building, that “2 1/2-acre fairy tale castle in polychrome brick” (according to an AIA guide) at Seventh Street SW and Independence Avenue. But during that winter, there was some concern that the 125 year-old roof couldn’t support the weight of the snow. The building was closed to visitors, but was still somehow safe for workers,…