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Sommelier Teaches Vino Love

Nov. 5, 12 a.m.

Having grown up in Venezuela with parents who don’t drink, the wine director at Alain Ducasse’s downtown restaurant, Adour, is obsessed with vino. Not only does Narvaez spend his career tasting it, but he also married a wine distributor and says his house is crowded with bottles and cases of his favorite vintages.

Giving Foster Kids a Chance

Nov. 5, 12 a.m.

Lily Dorman-Colby’s story is the kind you should listen to with tissues handy. A foster child since age 12, Dorman-Colby was shuffled through five homes in two years and was subjected to the kind of instability and abuse that can permanently damage a child.

You Think You Had an Outbreak?

Nov. 5, 12 a.m.

It’s hard to imagine a time when washing hands between patients wasn’t standard practice for doctors, but in the 1840s, that was the case.

Now We’re All Berliners

Nov. 4, 12 a.m.

With due respect to President John F. Kennedy’s proclamation, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” it seems that D.C.’s own Newseum is where we’re all Berliners — at least for a day.

This Garden Grows in a Parking Lot

Nov. 4, 12 a.m.

For the past few decades, the corner of 13th and C streets Southeast has been an eyesore for some area residents. But this December, local residents hope to trade in their blemished landscape for a thriving community green space to grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Where the Wild Things Are Shelved

Nov. 4, 12 a.m.

The Library of Congress has always been a guardian of the country’s cultural heritage, but it has never had a place just for youngsters — until now. Last week, the LOC’s literary outreach arm, the Center for the Book, opened the Young Readers Center, the Library’s first dedicated space for children and young adult readers.

Doctor Without Candor

Nov. 3, 12 a.m.

Most political memoirs are stale rehashes of talking points recycled from a politician’s days in office — Richard Nixon’s explanations of Watergate, for instance, or Bill Clinton’s refusal to honestly address the controversies surrounding Monica Lewinsky, Paula Jones and Whitewater in “My Life.” In fact, candor in a political figure is what really has shock value.

Journalist Dives Into Danger and Lives to Tell the Tales

Nov. 3, 12 a.m.

There’s never a shortage of arguments that people use to bash journalists: They’re in the tank for one political party or another, they can’t be objective, and they’re in the business to feed their egos. While in some cases those accusations may be true, Emmy Award winner Greg Dobbs tries to dispel such stereotypes in his new book.

Founding Fathers Go Digital

Nov. 3, 12 a.m.

Thanks in large part to a grant from the National Archives, America’s Founding Fathers are about to leap into the digital age.

This Hill Is Alive

Nov. 2, 12 a.m.

Never underestimate the power of a lunch break. In just one brief hour, deals can be brokered, fences can be mended and, on Capitol Hill, music can be made. About 20 years ago, a group of Hill staffers decided to make music over their lunch and in the process formed a Washington treasure — the Congressional Chorus.

‘Real World’ Interns Soak In Real D.C.

Nov. 2, 12 a.m.

When MTV’s “The Real World: D.C.” airs next year, viewers likely can expect the typical shenanigans that surround the reality show: drunken nights out, sexual rendezvous and more than a few anger-filled meltdowns.

Don White, 54, Guarded Integrity of the Capitol

Nov. 2, 12 a.m.

For years, Don White was the man behind the Capitol’s gleaming marble walls and furnishings, the guy Members called when they needed a sound system for an event or wood for their fireplaces. He orchestrated countless Rotunda ceremonies and oversaw everything from the nuts and bolts of presidential inaugurations to the capture of a mouse loose in the Capitol.

Get Your Halloween On

Oct. 29, 12 a.m.

With Halloween just around the corner, museums around town are gearing up for celebrations, parades and haunted houses. Washington has everything to offer — from a museum haunted by criminals to a ghost ship. Whether you’ve got young kids who are looking for another reason to put on their costumes or you simply want a good scare, we’ve got a roundup of where to go to celebrate this spooky day.

Who You Gonna Call In D.C.?

Oct. 29, 12 a.m.

OK, admit it. You hear about a guy who hunts ghosts, and you start humming the “Ghostbusters” theme and picturing the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man terrorizing Manhattan. The 1984 movie, in which Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis played recently unemployed academics who start a second career taking on the supernatural, poked fun at paranormal professions. But for one D.C.-area investigator, the job is no laughing matter.

Exhibit Lauds Unsung Parking Sites

Oct. 29, 12 a.m.

I’m an investigative reporter, so I have an affinity for parking garages.

Metro Papers Hail Vibrant Community

Oct. 28, 12 a.m.

When Bruce Robey passed away in September, he left behind more than a legacy as a prominent Capitol Hill resident. He also left a vibrant and — more importantly — still-thriving community media scene.

Edward Brooke to Be Honored

Oct. 28, 12 a.m.

If there were a top 10 list of civil rights pioneers, former Massachusetts Sen. Edward Brooke (R) would unquestionably be among them.

The Hill’s Best Friends

Oct. 28, 12 a.m.

Humans aren’t the only members of the Capitol Police who wear badges. Along with the 1,800 officers on the force, 42 dogs also wear badges in their mission to help keep Congress safe. These four-legged employees are trained to sniff out explosives on people and vehicles that approach the Capitol campus.

Poet Laureate Sets Sights on Community Colleges

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

The nation’s official poet wants to honor community colleges for the way they “stitch the world together” by making them the focus of her laureate project.

The Man Who Made The Missiles

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

Neil Sheehan is a master of presenting one person’s biography as a window into a significant moment in history. His 1989 book, “A Bright Shining Lie,” chronicled the arc of the Vietnam War through the story of Army officer John Paul Vann. And his latest work, “A Fiery Peace in a Cold War,” tells of the race to build the first nuclear missiles by recounting the life and career of Air Force Gen. Bernard Schriever.

How to Stay the Course

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

Among the many words of advice that Members of Congress give in the new book “Political Rules of the Road: Representatives, Senators, and Presidents Share Their Rules for Success in Congress, Politics, and Life” is former Rep. Al Cederberg’s (R-Mich.) simple poem, “Remember the Congressman’s Lament.”

Players Fall for Indoor Bocce

Oct. 26, 12 a.m.

Devoted bocce players aren’t letting the obstacle of a little unsettled autumn weather prevent them from playing the summer game they love.

Union Station Movie Theater Shuts Down

Oct. 26, 12 a.m.

As part of a broader plan for the remodeling of Union Station, the Union Station 9 movie theater closed earlier this month and is being cleared out in preparation for potential new tenants.

Exhibit Follows Craft’s Process

Oct. 22, 12 a.m.

The first thing ever to resemble a photograph was created somewhere between 1839 and 1844 when William Henry Fox Talbot left a piece of lace on paper in the sun, creating a photogenic drawing and the first negative-positive photographic process.

What Makes a Leader?

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

What defines a presidency? Is it circumstance — the state of world affairs or the domestic situation left behind by the previous commander in chief? The present administration has made reference to the economic and diplomatic messes left by George W. Bush, possibly as a buffer to criticism that President Barack Obama isn’t doing enough or hasn’t made good on certain promises. But if Princeton professor Fred I. Greenstein is correct, the success or failure of the Obama presidency will rest more on the man himself than on the current point in history.

Civil Rights History Revisits Mississippi’s Troubled Past

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

Author and lawyer Harry N. MacLean had Mississippi on his mind for at least a year, but it wasn’t until James Ford Seale was indicted in January 2007 that he got the framework he needed to write a story about the state.

The Long War of Four Generals

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

Few historians excel at providing a detailed look at the lives of military leaders who are charged with commanding thousands of troops through battle and making snap decisions that alter the course of history.

A Portrait of the Justice As a Tightwad Buddy

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

In his book “Rehnquist: A Personal Portrait of the Distinguished Chief Justice of the United States,” Herman J. Obermayer paints an endearing picture showing how two parallel lives, inside their friendship, discover a bond that not many knew about.

Former Rep. Jay Johnson Dies at 66

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

Former Wisconsin Rep. Jay Johnson (D), who worked as a journalist, politician and eventually director of the U.S. Mint, died suddenly Saturday in Bristow, Va. He was 66.

Ex-Rep. Davis of Michigan Dies at 77

Oct. 19, 12 a.m.

Former Michigan Rep. Bob Davis (R), known for his work on behalf of issues important to the Upper Peninsula and his resignation following the House Bank scandal, died early Friday morning after his heart and kidneys failed. He was 77.

Hill Talk: A Front Seat

Oct. 19, 12 a.m.

Women will soon be getting a national museum of their own. The National Women’s History Museum Act, which directs the General Services Administration to provide property on the Mall for the creation of the National Women’s History Museum, passed the House last week.

A Sports Lens That Captured a Nation

Oct. 19, 12 a.m.

Nestled between the sports theater and the FBI exhibit on the concourse of D.C.’s Newseum is an exhilarating new photojournalism collection, focusing on the life and work of Sports Illustrated staff photographer Walter Iooss.

Solar Gets Hot Down On the Mall

Oct. 19, 12 a.m.

The winner of the 2009 Solar Decathlon, sponsored by the Department of Energy, is a German-built home that actually produces twice the energy that it uses through its clever use of solar panels.

A Step Back in Time

Oct. 19, 12 a.m.

From its humble beginning as a country estate to its rapid transformation into one of D.C.’s most cosmopolitan and diverse neighborhoods, Columbia Heights has a long and vibrant cultural history. In celebration of the neighborhood’s colorful legacy, the nonprofit coalition Cultural Tourism DC opens its newest self-guided walking trail on Saturday with a grand unveiling and celebration in Civic Plaza, in the heart of the neighborhood.

Photo Exhibit Shows Czech Avant-Garde

Oct. 15, 12 a.m.

A new exhibit at the Phillips Collection proves that Prague was second only to Paris in its surrealist and avant-garde photographic art.

Enchanted, Secret Art Dazzles

Oct. 15, 12 a.m.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts recently opened two fascinating exhibitions — “Lands of Enchantment: Australian Aboriginal Painting” and “Telling Secrets: Codes, Captions and Conundrums in Contemporary Art.”

He Illustrated Irony

Oct. 14, 12 a.m.

Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham called working with editorial cartoonist Herbert Block, better known as Herblock, “like having a tiger by the tail.” Fellow cartoonist Mike Peters said, “Herblock is to editorial cartooning what sharks are to body parts.” Whatever the animal metaphor, Herblock certainly left his print on the world of editorial cartooning. A new exhibit at the Library of Congress shows 82 examples of the cartoonist’s best work starting this week, on what would have been Herblock’s 100th birthday.

Cleland’s War and Peace

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

Most would assume that war makes you a different person. Still, the lingering physical and emotional wounds that come from the battlefield can be hard to fathom. In his new memoir, “Heart of a Patriot: How I Found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed and Karl Rove,” former Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.) offers the chance to understand a veteran’s anguish and triumphs.

Life After JFK: Johnson In the First 24 Hours

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

Historian Steven Gillon was inspired by the popular TV drama “24” when he wrote his newest book, “The Kennedy Assassination — 24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pivotal First Day as President.”

Book Tells of African Tragedy, American Rebirth

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

Tracy Kidder’s powerful writing style and moving themes are reasons alone to read “Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness.” But as striking as the prose is, Kidder also offers the chance to witness nobler things — effective altruism, the power of the human spirit and kindness — all in a true story.

So You Think You Know Boy Scouts?

Oct. 8, 12 a.m.

With the Boy Scouts of America celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, the future of the scouting movement remains uncertain. Membership peaked in the 1970s, and the Boy Scouts have seen a 10 percent drop in enrollment during the last decade.

Artist Jasper Johns Mixes It Up

Oct. 8, 12 a.m.

When his painting “Target With Four Faces” was featured on the cover of ARTnews magazine in 1958, Jasper Johns went from unknown artist to overnight celebrity. More than 50 years later, a modified print of that famous painting — along with 41 other mixed-media prints — is on display at the National Gallery, including some works that have never been publicly exhibited.

Cult Figure Exhibits Vivid Shots

Oct. 8, 12 a.m.

Sixty-five-year-old photographer Robert Bergman has been using a camera since he was 6, but he had never sold a single piece of work until two years ago. On Monday, however, his career gets a big boost, as his first solo exhibition is set to open at the National Gallery of Art.

Man Ray’s Tribal Effect

Oct. 8, 12 a.m.

Sometimes it is not for an audience to understand what inspires an artist. A poet, painter or sculptor might create a dramatic work from abstract thought or from the seemingly mundane. Or, like famed photographer Man Ray, he might take it from two apparently unrelated ideas: tribal art and the avant-garde.

Society Honors McGovern and Baker

Oct. 7, 12 a.m.

Two men who once considered the Senate their domain will return to the Capitol tonight. Former Sen. George McGovern (D-S.D.) and Senate Historian Emeritus Richard Baker will be honored with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society’s Freedom Award at a reception in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Visitors Can Pretend to Advise Abe

Oct. 7, 12 a.m.

The rolling knolls of a presidential oasis, at first blush, would appear to be the perfect vacation getaway. But for a wartime president laden with the sudden death of a son and the difficult task of preserving a union, Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home offered President Abraham Lincoln only limited solace.

Office Space: Renegade Finds a Home on the Hill

Oct. 7, 12 a.m.

Rep. Bob Filner is not shy about sharing his rap sheet with the public. The California Democrat has been cuffed and booked a few times, and he advertises this fact in his Rayburn Building office.

Harpers Ferry Has Sweeping Vistas and Charm

Oct. 6, 12 a.m.

An excursion to Harpers Ferry, W.Va., is the ideal day trip for anyone with a love of history and the outdoors. This tiny town is only a 90-minute drive from Washington and offers a smorgasbord of museums, outdoor activities and ice cream shops.

Take a Hike, On or Off the Appalachian Trail

Oct. 6, 12 a.m.

A hike in the calm Blue Ridge Mountains inside Shenandoah National Park serves to take a little of the urban tension out of city dwellers. What makes it even more relaxing is that the mountains are an easy day trip from D.C.

Apple-Picking Farms Offer Crop of Fun

Oct. 6, 12 a.m.

While the White House boasts a backyard garden that provides fresh produce for the first family’s meals, most Capitol Hill residents pick the freshest ingredients at local farmers markets or farm shares.