7 Capital Comment Peggy Cooper Cafritz’s new abode . . . Elena Kagan’s $5-million sacrifice . . . The GOP’s athletic hopes . . . Authors’ favorite beach reads . . . Legal players in the high-stakes Wizards deal.

22 Where & When Norman Rockwell at American Art . . . Mary Poppins at the KenCen . . . Joan Armatrading at the Birchmere . . . Tim McGraw at Jiffy Lube Live . . . Natalie Merchant at Strathmore . . . Paul Taylor Dance at Wolf Trap . . . Fringe Festival returns.

25 Filled With Doubts Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects lots of Washingtonians—from CIA agents worried about secret files to kids distressed by homework. Interview by Cindy Rich.

31 Ghosts of the Past Infatuated with Washington, Thomas Mallon gave up literary life in New York to live amid our stories and history. By Tim Wendel.

36 Secrets of the Soft-Shell Crab Of all the ways we savor the blue crab, soft-shells require the most expertise to bring to the dinner table. It all begins with a waterman like David Laird. By Tom Horton.

44 “Allah Sent Me an Angel”Todd Shea is an unlikely savior. But the people he helps don’t care that he was once a crack addict—or know that they’ve also been saviors to him. By Salma Hasan Ali.

52 Want Your Baby to Be Taller, Cuter, Smarter? We’re approaching a biotechnological era in which parents select combinations of genes not only to avoid genetically linked disorders but also to choose intelligence, height, looks, and athletic ability. Are we ready for this brave new world? By John Pekkanen.

58 “I’m Turning My Body Over to You”She had three months to transform her body before a high-school reunion. Were the trainers at an elite gym up to it? Was she? By Cathy Alter.

64 Best of Washington More than 200 of the best people, places, and things to do. Plus—readers pick their favorites. Edited by Sherri Dalphonse.

102 Summer Beauty Guide We consulted dermatologists and beauty experts and asked them to recommend anti-aging serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, makeup, and more. Here are our top tips and picks.

119 Relaxing by the Water Two good nonstop-flight destinations for summer—Quebec and Minneapolis. By Erin Delmore and Kate Nerenberg.

123 Wishing You Were Here A mountain resort, a golf retreat, a riverside inn, and four other destinations offering exclusive travel deals for summer. By Alice Shapin.

125 Dining Out Kushi, a pulsing izakaya and sushi spot, brings fish from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market to downtown DC. Plus—two restaurants at National Harbor get a lift from a new chef. By Todd Kliman, Ann Limpert, and Kate Nerenberg.

134 Best Bites A gem of a grocery in DC’s Adams Morgan . . . Evo Bistro’s lobster ravioli . . . Where to get dry ribs . . . Classing up a McLean burger joint.

139 Comebacks of the Year Shares of these local companies have taken a big hit, but they’ve rebounded. Now will they go a lot higher? By Wayne F. Nelson and Ellen S. McLellan.

143 Bargains at the Beach Prices along the shore are still falling—and the vacation home you liked may be a lot more affordable. By Michael Gaynor.

147 Beach Favorites Whether you’re heading to Rehoboth, Ocean City, or one of the region’s other resort towns, here are great places to stay, play, and dine at the shore. By Steve Bailey, Jen A. Miller, and Mary Burnham.

150 Luxury Homes A Kalorama home sells in foreclosure for $3.8 million, a short sale in Great Falls for $2.6 million.

172 It’s Doggone Hot From sunburn to heat stroke, pets also struggle with our summer weather. By Gwendolyn Purdom.

183 On Top of Her Game In the male-dominated sport of polo, Isabella Wolf plays like one of the boys—rough. By Lydia Strohl.

184 Waiting for the Curtain Being almost blind onstage and other theatrical adventures. By John Feffer.