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Capital Comment Obama’s biggest Democratic headaches . . . Barnett snags the Palins . . . Moneybags in the Cabinet . . . Did the Post break the Chandra Levy case?

Where & When Ragtime at the KenCen . . . Rock ’N’ Roll at Studio . . . Bernadette Peters at Strathmore . . . Smithsonian Craft Show . . . Cherry blossoms all over.

Smart, Oui! Fun, Non! A Frenchman’s view of Washington, a city he finds intellectually stimulating but needing more fun. Interview by Susan Baer.

“Don’t Call me Granny” In her forties, she had only a vague idea of what being a grandmother meant—except that she was way too young. By Kate Lehrer.

Heavy Hitters Frank Howard once hit 48 home runs for the Washington Senators. Can Adam Dunn do it for the Nationals? We asked them both. By Harry Jaffe.

Best Local Web Sites and Blogs Whether you’re eating, sightseeing, shopping, or doing research, Washington’s rich online world can help make life better, easier, and more fun. By Garrett M. Graff, Catherine Andrews, Alejandro Salinas, and Emily Leaman.

Big Bear and Sarge Edward Bennett Williams and Sargent Shriver had done well. One day in an airplane, they had a warning for their sons. By Tony Williams.

“We are their victory” Their mothers and fathers were Holocaust survivors. Now these Washingtonians realize how much the wartime experiences of their parents shaped their childhoods and the way they live today. By Leslie Milk.

Daddy’s Game Mike Wilbon talks about turning 50, becoming a father, recovering from a heart attack, the President, the Skins, Tony, and more. Interview by Harry Jaffe.

Trouble in the ER Emergency medicine is better here than in many places, but you still can wait hours in a local ER. And the problems ERs face are getting dangerously worse. Plus—where top doctors would go for emergency care. By John Pekkanen.

Inside 10 Great Homes From a funky DC townhouse to a charming manor in the Virginia countryside, here’s a 24-page look at beautiful homes. By Sherri Dalphonse, Mary Clare Fleury, and Leslie Milk.

Best of Old Town Alexandria’s colonial streets are lined with fun boutiques, creative restaurants, cozy cafes, and lots more.

Wish Lists Budget tight? Here are spring fashions worth the splurge. By Jill Hudson Neal.

Dining Out Bourbon Steak, the new Georgetown restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Mina, revels in excess. Plus—a Thai surprise in Gaithersburg and a Philly-style Italian deli. By Ann Limpert, Todd Kliman, and Rina Rapuano.

Best Bites First look at Pizzaiolo Café & Bar . . . Gillian Clark is back . . . Monica Bhide spices up the Indian kitchen . . . Hot dogs get fancy . . . Favorite Virginia wines.

Money Where some pros are putting it now. By Mary Clare Fleury.

Deals Exclusive discounts on shoes, swimwear, jewelry, and more. By McLean Robbins.

Benefits Good times for good causes. By Lynne Shallcross.

Swing or Swim You can dive into both golfing and swimming at many area communities. By Dale Leatherman.

Luxury Homes Chuck Vance sells McLean home for $3.6 million.

Pets Some kennels provide animals with a suite life. By Kerry Hannon.

A Life in Verse Poet Stanley Plumly explores mortality. By Drew Bratcher.

A Good Vintage Almost fired from a restaurant for being shy, she now pours wine at a vineyard—and you’d have a hard time shutting her up. By Kathleen Stoner.