You may have noticed that our user profiles were down for the last week, but I’m happy to report that they are now back online and better than ever. Take a minute to check out their new look: log in with your commenter username and click on “View Profile” in the upper left hand corner of our home page. You’ll see that you can now choose from three tabs across the top whether you…

>> LaVar Arrington, a former linebacker for the Washington Redskins, is in serious condition after being hurt in a motorcycle crash this afternoon. The details are still coming in, but a long thread of condolences has already developed at ExtremeSkins with updates being added frequently. ABC7 says that Arrington was not wearing a helmet, and that his injuries are not life threatening. [WTOP & ABC7] >> The White House press center was evacuated this…

>> Those little snow flurries you see outside your office window are just the warm-up for the arctic temperatures that await us tonight. Remember your long johns tomorrow morning, when temps will be in the teens and “strong northerly winds will create frigid wind chills.” Oh, weatherman. You sweet talker. [ABC 7] >> Hey China, over here! You need 18 baby panda names, do you? We’ve got all the panda-naming experience you need right here….

>> Is Smith Point Burning? If only Billy Frick were still around to ask the question. [Wonkette] >> Regular Flickr contributor techne has a problem with a new Breast Cancer awareness campaign ad, pictured right. Her words: “I strongly object to this ad. To put this extremely violent message on a young woman’s headless torso sends an implicit message condoning violence towards women. I very much doubt that you intended to use the imagery of…

>> Breaking News: Former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams has taken a new job at Friedman Billings Ramsey, an investment banking company involved in real estate investment trusts. A formal announcement is expected shortly. [NBC4] >> It’s SotU time! Wonkette has details on where to go and exactly how much of which substances you’ll need for a proper drinking game. Who will the president kiss while walking down the aisle this year, and how jealous will…

>> We don’t know about you, but our mom used to tell us if we can’t take care of our own toys, we didn’t deserve them anyway. Which leads us to wonder how the FBI feels about having a cache of weapons and equipment stolen from two cars parked on Capitol Hill Sunday. Now the Feds are working with local authorities to find the pilfered guns. This begs the question: Is it sound policy to…

In what has to be the funniest thing we’ve read today, The New York Times has a profile in their Home & Garden section today of four roommates living in a row house here in Washington, dealing with typical group house issues, like whose turn it is to clean and how to deal with a rodent problem. Of course, the in-house drama reaches epic heights of satiric comedy when it’s revealed who the tenants are:…

>> More than 450,000 federal employees failed to file income tax returns for 2005, and they owe the government, their employers, a whopping $2,799,950,165. Are you one of them? [WTOP] >> A woman was found dead in a rowhouse that caught fire near Georgia Ave. NW. Police and fire officials are investigating the death and the blaze. [WaPo] >> KILLER SQUIRRELS ARE INVADING D.C. HOMES OMG !!1! [OuttaMindOuttaSite] >> Supreme Court says we don’t have…

We’re honestly not quite sure what to make of what looks to be a T-mobile ad that’s popped up on You Tube. Is it a real ad? Something done on spec by a fresh-out-of-film school director? A joke? Jessica Cutler herself isn’t telling yet, but promises to “explain later” in a post on her blog today. Whatever it is, it sure is … weird. And not very well done. We’re shrugging our shoulders, and…

>> Travel + Leisure covers U Street and Logan Circle. Entire neighborhood now plans to move to Northeast. Also, we know it’s technically correct, but does anyone actually call the downstairs at Saint-Ex, “Gate 54”? We’ve never heard anyone say that out loud. Commence bashing Travel + Leisure’s coverage, a la The New York Times, in 5, 4, 3 … >> Ward 4 Candidate Muriel Bowser kicks off her campaign by granting an interview to…