Learning From The Mistakes of Others? Whoa, a Bloomingdale/Shaw restaurant that has its papers in order before opening? Count us as amazed that new restaurant Boundary Stone somehow, somehow managed to acquire a certificate of occupancy before announcing an opening date. Yes, the preceding was sarcasm. More seriously, the pub will serve beers and a mix of snacks and entrees. +2

No Bail For Alleged Bowie Killer: Alexis Simpson, the 19-year-old who is accused of stabbing her roommate in a dispute over loud music, was denied bail today. The defense said her 18-year-old roommate Dominique Bowles, a resident of Northeast D.C., died in a “tragic accident” during which Simpson was trying to defend herself. There are no winners here. -5

By the Numbers: The FBI reports that 187 rapes were committed in the District in 2010, up from 150 the previous year. That’s a 25-percent increase. Considering that half of victims never report their rapes to the police, this could mean either there are more rapes (bad) or that more rapes are being reported (good). But no one seems to know which it is. -1

In Case You Didn’t Get Enough Howard News Today: Howard University a Capella jazz group Afro Blue was on NBC’s The Sing-Off—and they performed a really good rendition of Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On.” The team of music majors is one round closer to getting a $100,000 Sony recording contract. +3

Yesterday’s Needle rating: 64 Today’s score: -1 Today’s Needle rating: 63