Black Friday, the be-all, end-all of go-crazy shopping days (well, not for those celebrating "Buy Nothing Day"), is less than two turkey-filled days away. But in our blind rush to leave a tithe at the alter of mass consumerism, we often lose our thrifty ways. Not to worry - for those of us with office jobs, that raise is right around the corner, coming soon to help ease those credit card bills come January. Right?......

>> Despite well-publicized problems at D.C. Schools, reading and math scores at 8th and 4th grade levels are both up in the District. [WaPo] >> Tonight is the second public meeting for the Fourteenth Street Transportation and Streetscape. 7-9 p.m. at the National City Christian Church at 5 Thomas Circle NW. [Logan Circle News] >> Westbound traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is closed while an ambulance takes an injured worker to the hospital. [AP......

The roads are clear and dry, and city life is back to normal as we stand down from the state of high meteorological alert that was Snowpacalypse '07. OK, so that's just a dream, and we're still seeing people stuck in the ice on the side of the road with alarming regularity. But, there's a thaw coming soon, and before you know it, you'll be able to stop launching yourself backwards at 25 mph just......

Finally. After years of delays, the Old Dominion Brewhouse in the new convention center will be opening this Saturday. The convention center folks announced the opening in a press release, and mentioned food but not beer, which worried us a little -- however, a quick call confirmed that they do indeed have a liquor license, avoiding similar trouble at nearby BeBar and Vegetate. We walked by the place the other day and it looked completely......

>> Following the footsteps of Beck, Middle Distance Runner sent out an e-mail announcing a secret show tonight at DC9. They'll be playing with Cloud Cult and Hot IQs as part of the DAM! Fest Hangover party. Festivities start at 9 p.m. >> We've got wood. Today the Capitol Christmas tree started its journey from Washington State to D.C. where it will be adorned with 3000 kids' crappy hand-made ornaments. Even Mom knows when it's......

Former DCist Editor Rob Goodspeed had a terrific post up over at his own site last week which asks an important question: Where are all the retail outlets that were supposed to go in the Washington Convention Center? Three years after the opening of the new Washington Convention Center, only three businesses are open among the building's 11 community retail spaces on 7th, 9th, and N Streets — Abou Master Goldsmith, Capitol Business Center, and......

And a happy Friday morning to you, Washington. Heads up: Metro's Yellow Line from King Street to Mt. Vernon Square will not be running this weekend due to track maintenance starting tonight at 10 p.m. Folks will be forced off at King Street, and those going between Mt. Vernon Square and L'Enfant Plaza will be forced to ride the Green Line. Things are expected to be running back on schedule by Monday morning. Large Part......

By DCist contributor Celeste Dawn Mitchell In May, we bemoaned D.C.’s lack of street meat and wondered if it damaged our credibility as a legit city. While New York has enough food carts to command a dedicated blog, we stagger consumption of our precious half-smokes so as not to burn out on them. With another alternative on the scene, we can be a little less whiny about our predicament -- at least on weekends. When......

Last week, we told you that Griffin Market in Georgetown had Leave it to Beaver “Hot Box Lunches” and “Just For Men” boxed hair dye. But it was a sign near the register that informed us of something even more unusual—not in a box, but rather in a carton. The sign said, "Gifford's Ice Cream 'Coming Soon.'” And a few days ago, soon came. Now wedged between Dove and Ben and Jerry’s, Gifford's Ice Cream......

Prunes, and their fiber-rich reputation, are usually synonymous with Aunt Esther’s Secret Weapon for Regulation. But in Ocean City—yes, the less cool O.C.—they became affiliated with a legendary fried dough chain, The Fractured Prune. Beachgoers and locals are all about their made-fresh-to-order donuts, which can be dipped in one of sixteen glazes, eight toppings and three sugars. Their mascot, a shades-clad injured prune man (think geriatric cousin of the California Raisins ilk), has announced to......

Does it seem like there have been a lot of student protests recently at area universities? Fear not, tells us the Richmond Times-Dispatch, college students aren't about to march on Washington and demand the president's head. Sayeth the paper in an article published earlier this week: Students marched at Virginia Tech, chanted at Radford University and camped in a building at the University of Virginia last month. They also protested at the College of William......

It's something of a Metro-riding phenomenon -- as you descend into a station, you hear a train arriving and, not wanting to miss it, you book it through the entrance gates and down on to the platform. Sometimes it is your train, and you feel justified in having knocked over that six-year-old visiting from Iowa. Other times it's not your train, and you're left trying to play it cool despite your obviously frantic sprint......

D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams may not be mayor for much longer, but he does have a few wishes for his successor's benefit, writes the Post today. First off, that the title be changed from "mayor" to "governor," a recognition of the fact that the District serves both the functions of a city and a state. Second, a good retirement package. Third and final, a mayoral house. Williams quickly backed off of asking for a mayoral......

In proving that blogs are still all the rage, Sam Brooks, a candidate for the Ward 3 seat on the City Council, recently launched a blog of his own. Born on December 5 and updated for the first time today, Brooks' "idea blog" is presented as a means for the young candidate to exchange views with the voters. Writes Brooks: The basic idea is simple: to begin a substantive discussion about public policy that will......

Well, now it's confirmed. In the event of a cataclysmic disaster, we know the federal government will have plenty of time to evacuate to safer locales. Area residents? Well, they're screwed. WTOP is reporting today that after the Department of Homeland Security detected traces of a biological agent around the Mall during the protests against the war two weeks ago, it took them and the Centers for Disease Control six full days to notify local......

We're continuing our summer of concert love here at DCist with the tickets you need to be purchasing...so make sure to have your mouse and credit card at the ready! And remember, you can always buy tickets in person at the 9:30 Club, and the Black Cat box office is open from 8 p.m. to midnight. Which tickets do you plan on getting? >> Our favorite star-spangled, big-chested, country crooning lady is coming to D.C.......

Ever since we moved to Shaw nearly a year ago, we've been waiting for Azi's Cafe, on the corner of 9th and O St. NW, to open. Though we love our neighborhood, the lack of any sort of restaurants or independent shops has been getting on our nerves; a Giant full of sketchy produce leaves something to be desired. Nearly every day we'd walk past Azi's, but the windows remained covered with paper and no......

Good morning, we start this morning by taking a look at this photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran from a series of photos of him being stopped by security authorities after taking photos for an assignment outside the Australian Embassy. Aide to Ehrlich Resigns After Gossip Allegation Regarding O'Malley: Trouble in Annapolis and Baltimore! There are rumors that Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley had an extra-marital affair, something that the possible 2006 gubernatorial candidate charges are......

Grays Coming Soon? D.C. sports authorities have indicated that Major League Baseball wants a named picked for D.C.'s new baseball team as soon as possible. The AP, via WTOP, says that MLB officials want the name settled so marketing can begin. Speaking of Baseball, More Stadium Controversy: The District may have underestimated the costs required to renovate RFK Stadium and build a new permanent stadium on South Capitol Street. The Post reports that it may......

- Kerry trounces Bush in Dupont doughnut poll - Zebra mussels discovered in Virginia - Suspect arrested in R Street shooting - Howard U. community questions character of Christian performer after he gives his phone number to freshman psych major DCist's formal launch is coming soon. We're growing. Expect some new contributors to appear here in the coming week.......