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High Heeled Sneakers: When it first began 25 years ago, the Dupont Circle High Heel Race must have been shocking indeed—a group of drag queens running down 17th Street, taking shots along the way, at a time when the nation barely wanted to acknowledge that gay culture even existed. These days, the race has gone mainstream—Mayor Vince Gray will preside, and starting next year, it’ll be run by Historic Dupont Circle Main Street—but it’s still a street party, and who doesn’t like an excuse for public drinking? +4
Licensed to Drive: It’s been a tough year transportation-wise for Sulaimon Brown, the former mayoral candidate who claims the venom he directed toward then-Mayor Adrian Fenty last summer was prompted by Vince Gray aides. First his bike was stolen outside the FBI building while he was being interviewed in connection with his allegations; now he’s facing possible jail time if he doesn’t swap his Maryland driver’s license for a District one. But at least he keeps finding ways to get his name in headlines. -1
Beer, Bear, What’s The Difference?: Driving into the C & O Canal to avoid hitting a bear sounds like the best of bad options; sure, submerging the car is bad, but hitting the bear could be worse, right? Unless, that is, there is no bear, and you’ve just driven your car into the canal because you’re drunk. Which is what police say happened last night near Foxhall and Canal roads NW. The man driving the car was charged with DWI. No word on whether his defense lawyer has already set out bear traps. -1
SNOWTOBER: Apparently the D.C. area is thinking of going as Reykjavik for Halloween. Some weather models show the possibility of heavy snow on Saturday, which would make for some of the earliest-ever runs on grocery stores (though it would also get Pat Collins back in primetime TV). Chances are those models, which seem to be run on the same European computer programs that determined it would be a good idea to lend massive amounts of Euros to Greece, are incorrect. But just in case, everybody panic! -2
Yesterday’s Needle rating: 61 Today’s score: 0 Today’s Needle rating: 61