Photo by Flickr user 55thstreet

Blargh! This rain! This cold! This possible sleet! We've had enough. Luckily it seems that it'll lighten up by this afternoon. 

The weather is likely to make traffic awful everywhere, but may we particularly suggest that you stay away from the White House—Obama today will be meeting with all the living ex-presidents there.  

Will the Boss (aka Bruce Springsteen) be playing at the Lincoln Memorial for inauguration festivities on January 18? That's what WTOP is hearing. Stay tuned to our special inauguration section, and we'll keep you posted on that and much more.

Speaking of inauguration, have you gotten caught up in the festivities, but are mildly bummed you can't make it, or afford to go to an inaugural ball? Worry not! We've compiled a list of fun parties, concerts, and more to hit throughout inauguration week

Those wacky first-graders: An area six-year-old missed his school bus, decided the wise thing to do would be to take his mother's car to school instead for 10 miles, and crashed the car—but miraculously is totally fine.  

Virgina Governor Tim Kaine is going to make one more push for a smoking ban in restaurants in Virginia.

Check back later today for...a new Blogger Beat; a Video Buzzed bartender drink recipe; and lots more!

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Leave your guess, including where the subject is located, in the comments. The full photo and location will be revealed with next Tuesday’s puzzle. The winner gets bragging rights.

Last week, we told you about an essay contest being run by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) to win tickets to the inauguration. We've just received word that one of ten lucky winners has been selected.

According to an email sent to Obama supporters, Cynthia Russell from from Newberry, Florida, has been selected to attend several inaugural events, including the welcome ceremony on January 18, Obama's swearing-in, the inaugural parade, and the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.

Here's a snippet from Russell's winning essay, answering the question, "What does this inauguration mean to you?":

>>All Washingtonian.com Inauguration 2009 coverage

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NOTE: Balls with an asterisk (*) next to them are official balls, sanctioned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. These are the only events that both the president-elect and vice president-elect are guaranteed to attend.

2009 Green Inaugural Ball
Date: January 19.
Location: National Portrait Gallery.
Time: 8 PM.
Hosts: 2009 Green Inaugural Ball Host Committee, composed of 25 environmental organizations.
Program: Former Vice President Al Gore as the event’s honorary chair.
This event is by invitation only. 

2009 Inaugural Celebrity Basketball Game
Date: January 17.
Location: Calvin Coolidge Senior High School.
Time: 4 PM.
Hosts: SeeMeBall.com and Lonnie Harrell of the And 1 Mixtape Tour.
Program: Confirmed celebrity participants include the Redskins' Clinton Portis and Santana Moss, the Baltimore Ravens' Willis McGahee, the 49ers' Vernon Davis, and lots more. The event benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington.
Ticket price: $15; $100 for VIP tickets, which includes floor seats and free food and drinks.
Tickets are available here. 

A Celebration of Change Inaugural Gala
Date: January 17.
Time: 7 PM.
Host: The Babyboomer Professionals.
Program: Live R&B band and dancing.
Food and drink: Hors d'oeuvres and drinks.
Ticket price: $175
Sold out. 

With the inauguration just two weeks away, it's about time the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced the official inaugural balls.

In addition to the already-on-the-books Commander-in-Chief Ball and Neighborhood Ball, the PIC announced earlier this morning that Barack Obama will be host a Youth Inaugural Ball, five regional inaugural balls, and balls for his home states, Illinois and Hawaii. Joe Biden will host balls for his home states, Delaware and Pennsylvania, as well. This rounds out the list of ten official balls taking place this year.

The Youth Ball, geared toward those ages 18 to 35, will be held at the Washington Hilton; tickets will be $75. For twice the price—$150 a ticket—Obama's and Biden's home-state balls will be held at the Washington Convention Center.

The regional balls will be held at locations throughout the city. Here are the details:

Count QVC among the throng of visitors expected to be in Washington during the inauguration. The shop-at-home network will be broadcasting live from the star-studded Creative Coaliton Inaugural Ball. 

From Wonkette: "Witch To Perform Obama Ritual At Inaugural Ball." Um, what?

In money news, the Huffington Post reports that Obama has raised more than $24 million for his inauguration so far. Much of that is from single donations of $25,000 and $50,000. Who said we're in a recession?

Attention students: It's time to dust off your thesaurus! The Presidential Inaugural Committee is accepting essays in a contest to win three bleacher tickets for the inaugural parade.  

>> All Washingtonian.com inauguration coverage

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Photo by Flickr user thisisbossi

Bundle up, break out the galoshes and the umbrella, because we're in for a bit of nasty weather, Washington. We could get freezing rain and sleet, and there's a winter weather advisory for some areas. 

The Obama girls started at their new school yesterday—hopefully getting on the path to a good education, as well as producing some very adorable photos.  

Could an album named after a local music venue already be the best album of 2009? That seems a bit premature to us, but big hitter music site Stereogum.com has declared Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion the best album of the year. Already. Five days into 2009.

Are blogs not media outlets? According to WMATA, they aren't as they told excellent local development and transportation blog Greater Greater Washington. The reason? Blogs don't "disseminate news to the general public."

Don't forget to ask all your food and dining questions in Todd Kliman's live chat, today at 11 AM. 

Check back later today for...the results of our Sidewalk Style Best of 2008; a new Listen Up playlist; a Save the Date wedding story; and lots more!