Parking Jamz: District residents living in the most impossible-to-find-parking areas of the city will soon be able to apply for free visitor parking spots. Residents living in areas that require a permit to park on the street will be eligible to request a free visitor’s pass under the new program, according to the Post. +2

DC Taps Virginia’s Keg: In keeping with the spirit of Beer Week, Falls Church’s  Mad Fox Brewing Company announced today that it will open a taproom in Glover Park next year. +3

Silent Shades of Gray: Vernon Hawkins, a close friend of Mayor Vince Gray’s, is expected to plead guilty tomorrow for lying to federal investigators, and the mayor is staying mum on the matter. -1

We’re Turning Japanese: The District has snagged Otakan, the Japanese and East Asian anime and culture convention, away from Baltimore—the host of the annual event for the past 14 years. The event attracted 34,000 visitors this year and is good news for D.C.’s convention center, which has been trying to attract high-trafficked events. D.C. is expected to host the event for at least four or five years starting in 2017.  -3

Yesterday’s Needle rating: 57 Today’s score: +1  Today’s Needle rating: 58