Super Soaked: Is an $80 million aquatics center set to be built near Crystal City the Washington’s area most outrageous project? Decide for yourself:

It will feature a 50 meter by 25 yard fitness and competition pool, a family leisure pool, a hot water therapy pool, a “teaching pool,” and a “free-form water play area that will… have a lazy river, slides, play features, and a zero-depth ‘beach’ entry.”

Luxe! Anyway, construction is set to begin in the fall, with an opening date in the second half of 2015. +3

The Thin Man: Why is new racing president William Howard Taft so skinny when compared to his actual president equivalent? And why does he look like the Lorax? -5

Snow Tease: Speaking of the land that once belonged to Washington and someday will again, Arlington County closed its schools today for snow that turned out not to exist. -2

Pencil Me In: Each of the 30 menus at new Shaw restaurant Table was hand-written, adding up to at least 60 hours of work. +1

Friday’s Needle rating: 50 Today’s score: -3 Today’s Needle rating: 47