Dee Does The District doesn’t appreciate a sad bit of race baiting reported from the marathon hearing on the DCPS teacher layoffs.

Harry Potter and the Urban School Nightmare despairs over their students’ poor attendance. They write:

“Our school’s enrollment is down, and attendance is lower than I’ve ever seen it. When I first started at my school, I routinely had between 25 and 30 students in my class each day. Now, I’m lucky if I get 12. Today, less than half of my students were in class, and last week the average was 55%. Now, the kids who are there every day are learning like FIENDS, but at this rate 45% of my kids are going to fail. So what gives?”

Read More “Our Morning Roundup: DCPS Students Discover The Working Lunch” »

The Heights Life is pumped about the new fountain on 14th Street providing  pictures, a slideshow, and a written item. DCist has reporting from the opening of the finally completed plaza. Councilmember Jim Graham did not comment on the on-going-ness of the fed’s bribery investigation which has already netted his Chief of Staff Ted Loza. There are more important things to talk about like fountains constructed across the street from a Target.WaPo couldn’t get Fenty to comment about the bribery mess either.

Frozen Tropics reports that H Street Country Club will be the site of  a Skeeball League. Is skeeball the next kickball? The next ping pong?

Read More “Our Morning Roundup: Hipsters Discover Skeeball” »

Good Morning, City Desk readers!  While City Paper is busy commemorating Sexist Day here at the office, all sorts of newsy events are happening all over the city, so here it is.

• Alexandria Police Chief David P. Baker announced his retirement yesterday afternoon, ending a 40-year career in law enforcement.  This comes in the aftermath of his arrest on DUI charges Saturday night, following an accident that sent another driver to the hospital.  The best part about retiring now is that Baker gets to retain his full benefits, regardless of the outcome of today’s court hearing in Arlington.

• Sonia Sotomayor is one step closer to joining the Supreme Court.  The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to endorse the candidate, sending her nomination to a full Senate vote next week.  She’s expected to be confirmed with little struggle, but as usual, party affiliations are limiting unanimous support. Read More “Our Morning Roundup: Hung Up Edition” »

Prince of Petworth reports that finally(!) the fences have been removed from Malcolm X Park. Grass is still dry. But you are now free to play soccer or toss a baseball freely. Rejoice.

New Columbia Heights spots a possible illegal bar on Georgia Avenue. Jim Graham is so on this.

Read More “Our Morning Roundup: Fences Coming Down” »

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor would like you to know that she was misunderstood when she said that a wise Latina woman would come to a better decision than a white man.  Yes, she’s been repeating this line since the soundbite came out almost six weeks ago, but it seems to be the main focus of her confirmation hearings.  “Objectivity” was the word of the day, as Sotomayor faced tough questioning from the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Shock of all shocks, the voice of reason came from South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who announced that unless something went terribly wrong, the judge would most likely be confirmed by the Democratic majority.

But enough about rule-makers.  All the rule-breakers, in DC and beyond, are after the jump. Read More “Our Morning Roundup: Law and Order Edition” »

Kudos to Borderstan who appears to have scooped every blogger on the central issue of our time. Borderstan has found the location of the Real World D.C. house—2000 S Street NW. We can only add to their scoop with our own reporting!

According to D.C. government documents, the property is valued at $5.69 million (that’s the proposed 2010 assessment). The house was purchased on January 1, 2001 by DLB 20th LP. It appears that MTV or some Real World company is renting the house.

Read More “Real World D.C. House Identified” »

Orange Hat Patrols are out. Blogger patrols are in. Borderstan has announced that it will be hosting the “Borderstan Night-Safety Walk Around” this Thursday with plenty of law enforcement types on hand: “Join police and city government staff for a quick walk around Borderstan. The purpose is to point out dark areas that need lighting, burned out street lights, overgrown trees, etc. The goal is to improve night safety in Borderstan through better lighting and visibility.”

Walk starts at 6. “The group will leave 15th and T NW at 6 p.m. and proceed south,” the blog notes.

DCmud reports that an Adams Morgan mixed-use development project has hit a roadblock—the tanking economy. The new residential has been nixed. The Popeyes has beaten death.

Borderstan warns ‘Beware Roof Top Burglars in Borderstan.” In other Borderstan news, the Borderstan name suddenly has some respectable converts in the media.

Free In DC highlights a show this Wednesday: “Community Sing with Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock will be this WED, Dec 17th at 7:00pm at the Levine School Campus at 2801 Upton St, NW. This is a wonderful opportunity to see, hear and sing along with Ysaye and the others in attendance. All are welcome, no musical training required.” Sounds like there is gonna be some audience participation. Yikes.

One Photograph A Day posts an awesome photo of a window display featuring Obama, some bikini-clad ladies, and the Virgin Mary.

Congress Heights On The Rise has the details on tonight’s Ward 8 Holiday Party. Hot and cold refreshments will be served.

The Vinyl District is posting MP3s of some great Beatles Christmas Fanclub records.

*photo courtesy of One Photograph a Day.