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?"

DC Teacher Chic reports from her classroom a new trend---the working lunch. They write:

"This past week, I welcomed my students into my classroom / office space to eat their lunches. At first, it started because a few students were finishing assessments while eating their lunches (so as not to miss further instruction). To say the students loved the idea is an understatement. In the days following, my working lunches have blossomed from four students to seven, with several more students showing interest in attending next week."

Borderstan reports property crimes and violent crimes were up in September according to the latest crime stats: "Total crime (both violent and property crimes) for the  month of September 2009 in the Borderstan crime area¹ is 27% higher than in September 2008 and 61% higher than September 2007." The blog has maps and stats.

The 42 does not miss the Real World folks. But if you do miss the cameras or the realty competition shows, the blog knows what film crews are coming next.

And Now, Anacostia admires some new display windows on MLK.

Southwest...The Little Quadrant That Could has an update on Arena Stage's redevelopment.

*photo by Darrow Montgomery

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?

Georgetown Metropolitan reports on the return of a smelly pandemic.

Borderstan warns to watch out for a mugger in business attire (complete with briefcase). Blog also reports crime is way up in Borderstan over the last two months.

The New Teacher on the Block gets a surprise e-mail.

Pop Cesspool thinks Bruce Willis should be noted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• 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.
• Bruce Johnson is wondering why so many businesses are leaving Cleveland Park.  If major corporations like Starbucks and McDonalds decide to leave the neighborhood and their space can't be filled for upwards of five years, there just might be a problem.

• Borderstan is busy reporting local crimes, some occurring in broad daylight.  Highlights include a car break-in at 9:30 am and a foiled rooftop burglar on Church Street NW.

• It's no longer news that President Obama and the Democratic leadership are determined to push through their first attempt at health-care reform before the August recess.  When Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) announced to his constituency that he would vote for the health-care bill, they were upset.  So upset, in fact, that they hung him in effigy during a rally in Salisbury.  Perhaps Kratovil should spend the recess in Washington so as to avoid some of these more fanatic citizens.

• The Democrats' honeymoon is over.  After six months of working together in supposed harmony, it's back to name calling and back room deals.  So says Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who's blaming the obstruction of the Blue Dogs on Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.  Apparently he recruited them to run while still serving in Congress and has since failed to get them on board with the President's grand plans for reform.  Politics as usual, it's how the federal government runs.

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

Congress Heights on the Rise lists reasons you should attend Wednesday's D.C.Library trustees meeting. The blog even lists a number you can call for carpooling to the big session. One reason: "Clearly the community is not happy with the proposed WashingtonHighlands library designs. How will the Board direct DCPL leadership towork with the local ANC's to help them get to a solution the whole Ward can appreciate?"

Borderstan offers May/June crime stats for the "new Borderstan."

Penn Quarter Living notes that a bagel chain on 9th Street debuted outdoor seating. I didn't know there were still bagel places left in D.C.

The New Teacher on the Block isn't quite buying the latest upbeat reports between Rhee and the teacher's untion.

Housing Complex has a great story on a local, modern co-op.

But enough about rule-makers.  All the rule-breakers, in DC and beyond, are after the jump.

• As countless politicians have proven, adultery is not an excuse to give up your elected office.  John Ensign agrees, regardless of his parents' $96,000 payoff of his mistress - he plans to seek reelection when his term runs out in 2012.  Could he still be holding out for the White House?  Only time will tell.

• The judge hearing the Banita Jacks case was treated to an earful during the second day of listening to her eight-hour police interrogation.  During the recording, Jacks admitted that she believed her three daughters were possessed by demons but would rise from the dead when the demons left their bodies.  She also contends that all four of her daughters died in their sleep, as a result of the demons, a fact that is inconsistent with the evidence gathered at the crime scene.

• A House panel investigating the Red Line crash heard testimony yesterday, with the majority of witnesses asking for money to fix the flawed transit system.  John Catoe, Metro's General Manager detailed the precautions he has taken since the crash but admits he still does not know what to do about the malfunctioning circuit between Takoma and Fort Totten that presumably caused the collision.

• Violent crimes are being reported with more frequency, in what are thought to be safe areas of the city.  The Borderstan blog reports an armed assault and a robbery in the 1400 blocks of Corcoran and S Streets NW, respectively, in addition to the armed robbery and several burglaries that occurred in the first week of July.  Meanwhile, in Georgetown, a young woman was sexually assaulted in her home, less than two blocks from the main gates of the university.  Neighbors and students are concerned, not only for their safety, but because very few people have been informed about the attack.

So keep your eyes and ears open, City Desk readers.  Rules and laws are for following, not breaking.

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.

Four building permits have been issued since May, records show. One permit was for interior demolition. Another was for interior construction. The other two were for electrical and plumbing work. No word yet on whether a permit has been issued for hot tub installation.

No doubt this address will be home to some serious vapidness, bland hook-ups, and teary spats set to the gentle sounds of Chickenfoot. So who will benefit from all this crap? Bloggers like us.

Borderstan has the first-person narrative of its discovery:

"We heard sounds of workmen inside and, just by chance, saw a couple of guys outside (not workmen). One had a camera and the other one was taking notes. Without identifying their affiliation, I will say that they confirmed that 2000 S Street NW will be the house for The Real World. Moreover, at least one of the cast members will be a gay man and apparently one of the local venues for the drama-to-come will be Halo Lounge at 1435 P Street NW—across from Whole Foods..."

DCist has photos of the building's interior.

Get the latest on the Real World in DC

June 18 Update: Housing Complex reveals the floorplans of the house, showing game rooms and the confessional booth on the first floor, and "Love Sacks" on Second Floor.

June 30 Update: Twitter goes crazy over Real World cast arrival.

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.