There’s a new, crisp smell in the air—is it fall? Or perhaps the first whiff of bipartisanship in the health care debate? Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine has finally been wooed to the, um, dark side—depending on your point of view—and along with 13 Democrats helped President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority clear a key Senate panel. Her rousing battle cry was straight from the mouth of Gandalf the Grey: “When history calls, history calls.”

A police officer on horseback was attacked yesterday by “at least 20 dogs” at Fort Dupont Park in Southeast, according to WUSA. The woman responsible for the dogs was taken into custody for letting them roam free. And for being a fugitive. Which might possibly explain why she had twenty dogs. That, or they were all Ringwraiths working for Sauron. Your call.

The Associated Press has a creepy-as-orks picture of Venezuelans gathering on a mountainside (which, for the sake of theming, will be called Mount Doom) for their annual pilgrimage to worship an indigenous goddess. Apparently they prick their tongues with razor blades—and I can’t read any more because the picture is making me nauseous.

Prince of Petworth is hosting a bloodthirsty, passionate debate as to whether there should be a Christmas tree in Columbia Heights Plaza. I’m not sure if hobbits celebrate Christmas (cue disintegration of theme…) .

So on a non-hobbit related note, there was also a Latin music festival on the South Lawn of the White House yesterday. Mexican singer, Thalía deemed President Obama's dance moves "Macho." No translation necessary. 

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier has reportedly made budget cuts by refusing to hire new officers for the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit. Needless to say, the GLBT community isn’t thrilled. Lanier also got rid of the hostage-negotiation squad a couple months ago. This is the first I’ve heard of these kind of community-oriented units, and I like the idea; unfortunately, everything I write about (i.e., the Adams Morgan bicycle sculpture, the Georgetown Circulator) seems to die. I’ll stop this post now.

Drawing/Photo by Nadine Maude, Creative Commons Attribution License

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.