D.C./Metro

 Rev. Elder Darlene Garner(right) and Rev. Lorylin Candy Holmes were the third same-sex couple to be married March 9 in Washington, D.C.: Photo by Juan Pawiroredjo

The first same-sex marriages in the history of the District of Columbia took place March 9, following months of controversy and legal wrangling.

 Councilmember Michael Brown of the Washington, D.C., City Council outside his office.: Photo by Matt Stevens, American ObserverEven in the ordinary setting of a routine hearing, Councilmember Michael Brown's quiet composure stands out like the eye of a storm. Always firm but never confrontational, his questions probe the surface of a witness's testimony to reveal something deeper.

Health care bill opponents convened on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Some lined up to speak to their congressmen, while others rallied near the Capitol Building, chanting, "Kill the bill.": Photo by Kristin McGrath 

Opponents of the proposed health care legislation gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday at a Tea Party-movement organized event dubbed "Code Red."

The event was an opportunity to show opposition and for individual organizers to seek out their lawmakers to express their disapproval, according to a press release from the Tea Party Movement.

The 18th annual Environmental Film Festival (EFF) kicked off Tuesday and will continue through March 28 at venues throughout Washington D.C., with screenings at American University from March 22 to 25. The festival will feature 155 films  providing fresh perspectives on the day's current environmental issues.

He doesn't remember the first time he was walking and his legs gave out, just that he fell more and more often the older he grew. He doesn't remember when the shortened tendons in his legs began to prevent him from walking flat on his feet, forcing him to lope awkwardly on his tiptoes. He can't remember the exact day that he could no longer get around without a wheelchair.

Chaz Powers tends bar at the Pug on a Monday night. The bar, which opened three years ago, is one of H Street's new businesses: Photo by Kristin McGrath

Looting and arson devastated H Street's businesses during the riots following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968. In the past few years, seemingly overnight, the neighborhood has reemerged, rebranded as the “Atlas District” (named for the Atlas Theater, which reopened in 2006 after closing in 1976), a place travel guides refer to as having a night life.

Reagan National Airport has used full-body scanners since last year. TSA recently used $15 million of stimulus money for another security measure: hand swabs, which will detect residue from explosives.: Photo by Kristin McGrath"Your Safety is Our Priority" is the Transportation Security Administration's motto. And in the midst of the Obama Administration's order of 500 full-body scanners for $240 million, another security measure has been added: "explosive trace detection" or ETD. 

"It's like a neighborhood bar," Carlos Cruz said, the manager of The Station Grill.

Kevin Camp, a recent D.C. transplant from Birmingham, Ala., says he hasn't gotten mail in a week. David Adams, a UPS employee, says he's a month behind on deliveries. And D.C. resident Alex Herrin? He tried (unsuccessfully) to push a stuck U.S. postal service vehicle through the snow.

It seems all D.C. residents have a story about the mail. These stories aren't about Valentine's Day packages received or long-awaited letters, but about frustration and all things snow and ice.

Gisela Garzon grew up in Argentina, where it rarely snowed. She now lives in Friendship Heights. When they first hit, the recent snow storms were a novelty to her.

"I enjoy the white sensation," she said.

But after missing almost a week of work, Garzon, like many others in Washington, has grown weary of the city's snow removal efforts. She now sees the snow as a burden.

"We're completely stalled, we're not doing anything," she said.