Written by DCist contributor Benjamin Schuman-Stoler Last week in our “revisiting sites we’ve walked by a hundred times” series we presented the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This week, we’ll look at that huge phallus in the exact center of the original D.C. map — the Washington Monument. Screaming nothing but glory and testament, it is the classic D.C. monument. But we know its background isn’t as simple as its geometric profile. The National Park Service commissioned…

Ryan Orr submitted this reworking of a recent photo of his to include tanks defending Washington from an attack by Godzilla. Perhaps the giant lizard came to town searching for Mothra, whom he was mistakenly told holds the position of United States Congressman from Pennsylvania….

The civil trial for D.C. administrative law judge Roy L. Pearson’s lawsuit against local dry cleaning business Custom Cleaners, in which he’s now asking for $54 million — as opposed to the original $67 million suit he filed in April — is underway right now at the at D.C. Superior Court. WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reports that the courtroom is currently standing-room only. Pearson’s original suit sought damages for the loss of his pants, as well…

>> Didn’t get a chance to attend one of the Eastern Market benefit happy hours last week? The E Street Austin Grill will donate 33 percent of its food sales after 5 p.m. tonight to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation’s “Eastern Market—Keep It Going” fund. 750 E Street, NW in The Lansburgh. >> !!! (chk, chk, chk) stop by the 9:30 Club in support of their new album Myth Takes. With Canada’s Holy Fuck. $18….

>> Filmfest DC screens Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a concert tour documentary unlike any you’ve seen. The movie follows a group of people fleeing from Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war who form a unique band and face the daunting task of facing the future in a war-torn society. [4000 Wisconsin Ave., NW, $9, 6:45 p.m.] >> As we told you last week, it’s a great week for lovers of big band music. The…

>> Looks like this morning’s hellish Red Line delays were caused by an electrical malfunction involving the much-storied third rail. Sparks and smoke were first reported on the tracks between Dupont Circle and Woodley Park Stations at 7:15 a.m., forcing both north and southbound trains to share one track for two hours. Delays continued after the issue was resolved, as backed-up passengers filtered onto inbound trains. [Washington Post] >> One blogger tells the harrowing tale…