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Georges de Paris inside his downtown Washington shop: Photo by Cameron Nordholm

George Des Paris of Washington, D.C., stands just over five-feet-tall but in the world of presidential fashion he's a giant. The 75-year-old has worked as a master tailor for the past nine U.S. presidents. That includes President Obama, who even wore a de Paris suit to accept his Nobel Peace Prize. The tradition of de Paris creating suits for our chief executives is almost as intriguing as his own story of a one-time homeless person living on the streets of Washington only blocks away from the White House.

"Coming out" is a figure of speech used when a gay man or woman makes their sexual identity known to those around them. Although many view this as an incredibly difficult thing to do, there are others who fear the following question even more: "What now?" 

According to Doug McCauley, a 25-year-old gay resident of the Columbia Heights neighborhood in D.C., going out and meeting people is the best thing to do after coming out of the closet.

Join us for a look into journalism's past and its not-so-certain future. As an industry, we are facing one of the greatest moments of transition in recent memory. Mainstream media is in an unprecedented moment of peril. It has been eclipsed by new media, which is evolving in ways we can't yet imagine.

Is this the end of journalism as we know it?

Panelists include American University professors, David Johnson and W. Joseph Campbell, as well as former NPR director and producer Doug Mitchell.

The crisp, cool, air and colorful falling leaves are tell-tell signs that autumn has arrived in Washington. Fall foliage in the Washington region is one of many attractions and events tailor-made for the season. Here is a look at how this distinctive fall feature is taking shape in the District and elsewhere. 

Art made or inspired by Red Bull cans is on display at Washington's Union Station this week. The pieces are part of Red Bull's Art of Can contest that have been held since  2007.

When Regina Holliday’s husband died of kidney cancer, he left her with these words: “Go after them.” Holliday said those three words were a call from her late husband to let people know about their family’s personal struggle with the health care system.

Fred Holliday was an adjunct professor and alum of American University in Washington. He taught in the Performing Arts and Literature departments. Holliday said her husband was hospitalized at five different facilities before dying in June 2009. He was 39 years old.

For the first podcast of the Observation Post, we are looking at memorable experiences that reporters have had since coming to Washington DC.

This week we feature Sean Connolly, Lauren Orsini, Alex Thompson and Ladan Nekoomaram.