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Hometown Heroes The annual Washingtonians of the Year awards honor people who give their time and talent to make this a better place.

Capital Comment The scoop on Scott Brown . . . Learning to love DC United . . . Good Washington reads . . . Ted Olson—why people love him and hate him . . . The city’s most exclusive club . . . Behind Marcus Brauchli’s millions.

Where & When Porgy and Bess at the Opera House . . . Dance Place jumps . . . Hall of Human Origins opens at Natural History . . . Denyce Graves at Strathmore . . . Three requiems . . . Tyne Daly as Maria Callas . . . Festivals celebrate green movies, bluegrass, indie music and film, kite flying, and more.

Wonder Boys The Voltaggio brothers dish about being on Top Chef, what really goes on in restaurants, their last meals, and more. Interview by Ann Limpert.

The Priest and Me He was a blue-collar kid and an outsider when he started at Georgetown. Meeting Father Durkin changed everything. By Ted Leonsis.

His Own Worst Enemy? Adrian Fenty has run DC with a strong hand, but his imperial style has turned off lots of voters. He’s up for reelection, but it looks like the only person who can beat him is . . . Adrian Fenty. By Harry Jaffe.

The Future of Fine Dining Enjoy the beef cheeks at Central Michel Richard? A plate of chicken at T.G.I. Friday’s? Each probably came out of a bag sealed at an Alexandria lab. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. By Todd Kliman.

The New Face of Labor Andy Stern helped elect President Obama, and he’s wired to the White House. Representing everyone from janitors to health-care workers, he’s now union boss number one. By Chris Lehmann.

Well Versed With a second book of poetry out soon, Sandra Beasley has found her voice—and an audience. By Gretchen Cook.

Saving Isaiah At 17, he’s lost his parents and has been in jail on drug charges. But now he’s a high-school football player, has a nice apartment, and wants to go to college. Here’s the story of how Isaiah and kids like him are learning to be adults—and the people helping them get there. By Cindy Rich.

Top Doctors We asked area physicians what doctors they would send a family member to for help. Here are their answers—1,800 of the region’s best doctors in 39 specialties.

Guide to Home Design Want to add a home office or guest room but don’t have the space? Here are good ways to make the most of your house’s square footage. Plus—making your home more energy-efficient.

Great Finds The season’s trendiest bags are stylish and practical. By Jill Hudson Neal.

Spring in Your Step Save on party dresses, designer denim, pretty shoes, and other new fashions with these reader deals. By McLean Robbins.

Best of U Street Looking for fun? The U Street/Logan Circle area is buzzing with new bars and clubs, lively restaurants, and trendy shops.

Dining Out Againn, a British-inspired gastropub, brings bangers and mash and 130 varieties of Scotch to DC. Plus—former 1789 chef Ris Lacoste makes a big comeback, and a modern chef switches gears with pizza and pasta in Arlington.

Best Bites First look: Sabai Sabai Simply Thai . . . A hot block in Clarendon . . . Restaurant bread for sale . . . Top dining peeves.

Benefits Good times for good causes in March. By Eleni Savopoulos.

Fun for Everyone With spas, golf, art studios, and more, there’s lots to do at these new retirement communities. By Kyle Jameson.

Luxury Homes Three megadeals in Cleveland Park, including $7.6 million for former Fannie Mae head Daniel Mudd.

Twice the Tails Thinking about a second pet? Here are tips for helping your cat or dog welcome a new friend. By Gwendolyn Purdom.

Ice in His Veins His life has had more twists than the bobsledding tracks he races on. Now he’s Olympics-bound. By Eliot Stein.

“I Am Here” As a mother of six, I was always thinking ahead or looking back. A pair of boxing gloves changed everything. By Janice Lynch Schuster.