Every Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, washingtonpost.com's City Guide experts share their best bets for local flavor, great dates and family fun. Got plans? Great. Need plans? Just ask. We have the skinny on the bars and clubs, concerts, kitchens, theaters and special events that keep life interesting. We're going out gurus, and we're at your service.

Of course, we're happy to answer questions about local entertainment, but we need to hear from you, too. Introduce us to the coolest DJ or the fastest bartender you've encountered. Sound off on the week's best concert or the city's best burger. Tell us about the best place to amuse little kids or a big art fan. Together we can plan fun ways to spend weekdays, weekends, dates and holidays. The pleasure is ours, and yours.

Each week a different guru will act as host or hostess, but the entire staff is at your service. If you're looking for more ideas, see the City Guide or read transcripts of past Got Plans? discussions.

Submit your questions and comments before or during today's discussion.

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washingtonpost.com: Hey gang, what's happening? It's Thursday, so it's Got Plans? time, and even though we've got a small crew we are ready to go. We'll be counting on you to help us through the next hour, so have your ideas/suggestions/quips ready to go. I'm David, joined by Fritz, Anne and Janet. Let's go.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm in love with this cashmere sweater that I've worn forever

(7 years?). Problem is now I'm getting holes on the elbows.

Can you suggest a place where I can get it mended or

patched? Preferably around/near Georgetown. Thanks!

Janet: According to Steve Boorstein, aka The Clothing Doctor: Holes can be repaired by two methods: A good seamstress can use similarly colored thread to repair the holes ¿ depending on the size of the hole ¿ but the hole may be a bit pinched and may show. Or, if the yarns are available from the inside of the seams, the hole can be re-knitted, which produces a better and more invisible repair.
Steve recommends Xenia at Parkway Custom Drycleaning at 301.652.3377.

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Washington, D.C.: I am looking for a nice hairclip. I love the plastic ones from the drugstore, but I need it to be a little nicer...actual metal perhaps. I have found some that are covered in rhinestones, but look extremely cheap. Any suggestion?

Janet: Try Proper Topper in Dupont Circle. They have lots of cute accessories and jewelry.

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Washington, D.C.: So, not a going out question, but you guys guys answer clothing questions for women all the time. I am a man, and need to get a blazer tailored. It's an important garment and I don't want to take it just to my corner dry cleaners. You guys have any good recommendations for a men's tailor? I'd rather not just take it to Nordstrom. Thanks!

Janet: I have no personal experience with a tailor for men, but Mauro Farinelli from Denim Bar recommends Hamza Simrick in Arlington. His address is 574 S. Joyce; phone: 703-521-6909. Hope that's helpful.

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Washington, D.C.: ANOTHER NCAA question - Boyfriend and I plan to be in downtown/Verizon center area next Saturday and would like to watch the semifinals. While we realize that most bars will have the game on, we also want to be someplace that will also have the sound on - I thought perhaps the Green Turtle? I really don't want to end up at the ESPN Zone - any thoughts? Bonus if it's not a UNC/UCLA, etc. bar - nothing against them, but wow - that Crystal City Sports Pub can get super light blue when UNC plays and we would prefer a neutral venue.

Fritz: Are you referring to a specific game when you say "the game"? If not, try Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, which generally has the sound on for one game upstairs and a different game downstairs. Bar Louie, Rocket Bar and R.F.D. have had music instead of game commentary when I've been by.

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Cooking Class: I'd like to get my friend and her fiance a gift certificate to a cooking class as a wedding present. He is a well-seasoned cook, she can hardly boil an egg. But they both love food (and each other - awww). Do you have any recommendations on a cooking class that might be at a cool location other than a classroom setting? I'm looking for something with a little more ambience than Williams Sonoma/Sur la Table - perhaps at a nice restaurant or at the instructor's home. My budget is $150 total. Thanks!

Janet: Try L'Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda -- they have so many classes; you're bound to find one they'd both like. Nice idea, by the way.

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U Street Hoya/Spartan: I'd be lying if I said my soul weren't more than a bit crushed by Georgetown's defeat last weekend, but luckily there's still hope for me as I have Spartan green running in my veins alongside Hoya blue. -I know it's weird, but it's a family thing] Fritz, can you recommend a good bar to watch the MSU game tomorrow night? I'm looking for pretty much anywhere in DC that will have a Spartan crowd ¿ bonus points for the U Street/Dupont/Adams Morgan or Penn Quarter/Chinatown areas. I love the master list you guys put together on the blog, but there doesn't seem to be much Midwestern love on there. Thanks, GoGs and GO SPARTANS!

Fritz: The Spartans have been doing their game-watching at the Hawk and Dove, which isn't my first choice for neutral sports viewing -- crowded, TVs at bad angles -- but it should be reliably green this weekend.

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Washington, D.C.: What's a good first date activity in DC?

David: Yeah, this is one we get all the time. Julia tackled it in a blog post a few months ago, and plenty of commenters had their say. My favorite was: "hot dog vendor lunch, go kart racing followed by beers in old town and a jacuzzi at the comfort inn ... 2nd date will ensue." Is it just me or does that sound like an episode of "Blind Date"? Roger Lodge, that guy cracks me up. Anyway, the idea of an actual activity, where you do something besides (in addition to?) sit and awkwardly try to find common ground in conversation, seems to be a good one. If you can DCify it, even better. Or you can do something like go to a show at Wolf Trap, have a little picnic on the lawn, enjoy some music and wine, etc. But you'll have to wait a couple months for that. Thoughts from readers?

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Arlington, Va.: I'm curious about this Wreckfast @ Tiffany's thing. Is it free? Will it be hard to get in? Will it feel more like a party or a gallery walk? Dress code?

Fritz: Wreckfast -- which sounds awesome -- is free, which is why I included it in our all-knowing Free and Easy column earlier this week. It's a graffiti art show with DJs and refreshments, so it's going to be more party than formal gallery opening. Should be a great time. I might get there around 7 if you want to watch the art being painted live and get a bit of the early party vibe. It goes until 11...

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Silver Spring, Md.: Hey Gurus!! I have lived here five years and never gone to the Cherry Blossom Festival, neither has my boyfriend. We are remedying that this weekend, but are wary of the crowds. Where is a good place we can have a picnic (weather permitting) where we can enjoy the Cherry Blossoms/Kite Festivals, but avoid a throng of people?

Fritz: It's really, really hard to avoid the crowds during Cherry Blossom Festival weekends, especially when the Mall is overrun with kite-flying youngsters. For a picnic, I might try Haines Point, near where they *sniff* stole "The Awakening" from us, or maybe along the Tidal Basin near the FDR memorial.

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Land of the Green Fairies I think Fritz is my man on this question: With absinthe now (theoretically, though not practically) available here, will it be the same stuff as I smuggled back from Czech Republic a few years back? I read that some specific chemical contained in wormwood is limited to miniscule amounts in the absinthe sold in the States and wasn't sure if the restriction would alter the (popularly exaggerated) effects.

Fritz: I had my own, uh, experiences with absinthe in Prague a few years ago. Generally, from what I've read, the levels of Thujone in absinthe in the Czech Republic are higher than the levels allowed by the U.S. government.

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Arlington, Va.: Hey guys,

Any thoughts on the best jazz or other cool music on Saturday? I was thinking about Twins, but is there something else I should be aware of???

David: Twins is always a solid choice. The Jolley Brothers at Bohemian Caverns is one you might want to check out, as well. It's not quite jazz, but there will be horns and lots of weirdness at the Velvet Lounge for the second night of their Spontaneous Infinity festival. That'll be some pretty out there stuff, though. If you feel like hearing some swing music, Peaches O'Dell will be at Glen Echo.

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Tailor: I have a great secret tailor on U street... JC Lofton. They have done wonders with some old but great quality suits that I had and even turned a hideous bridesmaid dress into a suit cocktail dress. Every time I've been in there's some nattily dressed men picking up suits.

J C Lofton Tailor Shop

1003 U St NW, Fl 2

Washington, DC

202-328-4739

Janet: Wow, that is great to know. I don't know anyone who isn't in need of a good tailor. Thanks for sharing!

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Indian food!: Hi Gurus, I'm looking for a totally delicious Indian food buffet lunch/dinner anywhere in the D.C. area. I'd love it if this included desserts. Any ideas?

Anne: My favorite is Woodlands in Langley Park. Desserts are part of the buffet -- I'm a fan of the carrot halwa -- so you definitely have to pace yourself.

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Capitol Hill: Hiya Gurus!

Have you guys heard if the SOVA Wine Bar on H Street is open yet? I am eagerly awaiting that addition to the Hill!

Fritz: SOVA's sleek upstairs wine bar is indeed open. It's cool to see the new little places that are popping up around H Street, whether it's the jazz-and-blues joint Pap & Petey's, SOVA or Sidamo coffee, and there are a bunch more bars and restaurants on the way, including the much-discussed Sticky Rice.

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Cherry Blossom Fest: Would it be a good idea to ride bikes down by the Tidal Basin? I don't really want to do all the walking from the metro stop, but I also don't want to be dodging pedestrians on my bike.

Fritz: Yes, and the Park Service has set up two valet parking areas for bikes, too -- one at the Jefferson Memorial and another by the Monument. Park your bikes, stroll around on foot (so you don't run over any children) and pick up your rides when you're ready.

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Rockville, Md.: I really love the idea of drag queen bingo for a bachelorette party, but sadly drag queen bingo is on Tuesdays. Any similar type of activities on a Saturday?

Fritz: The drag performances at Town are pretty amusing; I haven't been back for a while, but the early one (9:30) was more straight/bachelorette-friendly than the 11 p.m. show.

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Washington, D.C.: I want to dance tomorrow night with some girlfriends to celebrate my birthday. I like the international scene with trance and Euro pop. Any suggestions for a good club? I've already been to Lima so I would like some other suggestions.

Thanks!

Fritz: Eyebar's generally pretty high on my list, or perhaps Saturdays at MCCXXIII, though they're less trance than house or progressive house. If you want to give it a shot, you can get on the list for MCCXXIII at dcnites.com.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey GOGs,

First time posting a question, and I really hope you can help.

I have been trying to find a couple (or more) restaurants in DC that serve good food and have a live music that's not too loud. One of the spots I really like is Bambule in Friendship Heights. They have a couple of Spanish guitar players playing on Friday and Saturday evenings, before the place turns into a night club. And they have paellas to die for.

Do you guys have any suggestions for something similar? I am partial to Spanish food and music, but I would really like to try something new (as long as the music is not loud). Good food, soft music, and a romantic setting, so what do you guys say?

Fritz: For flamenco, I really like Las Tapas in Old Town, which has live music Wednesday through Saturday and dancers on Wednesday and Thursday. Great tapas, too. You could also try Cabanas in Georgetown, which has music on Fridays.

Other ideas: HR-57 is always a safe bet, with a solid lineup of jazz and good soul food. Twins Jazz, too.

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Play Ball!!!: Well, the new stadium is finished, looks awesome to me, so the key question Fritz my man, is where to grab a couple of cold brews before the opening pitch on Sunday night, and still be able to walk over to my new home away from home!

Fritz: Well, I can give you a sneak peek at a guide Julia and I created -- places to eat and drink between Eastern Market and the Stadium. It's about a 20-minute walk (just over a mile) and passes a number of restaurants, pubs and takeouts.

(BTW, can I just say that it's ... incredible that the only bar anywhere near the stadium is a tiny, nondescript lounge off the lobby of a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel? There's room for maybe 30 people an a lone flatscreen TV. How the "heck" did this happen?)

Anyway, if you're walking from Eastern Market, my choices would be Marty's for the rooftop patio and laidback vibe, or Finn Mac Cool's for shuffleboard and a cold Guinness. The Ugly Mug is really hit or miss for me service-wise, but they have lots of beers and TVs.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm thinking about dragging the hubby to the Amish farmers market this weekend for a fun little afternoon road trip, but I'm not sure which one to go to. The Burtonsville one sounds cuter, and it would be neat to see it before it closes, I guess, but the East Marlboro one has furniture and crafts, which seems like it would entertain us more. Any advice from you folks?

Anne: I haven't been to the Upper Marlboro one yet, but I love the Burtonsville one -- it's the closest thing I know to the real deal Lancaster market. The Burtonsville market will be there until July or August, and then it will move to Laurel. Which to choose? If you're putting a priority on furniture hunting, you could make a day of it and stop by the Landover C-Mart for its closing sale and then -- for a very, very different scene -- go to the Upper Marlboro market and get yourself a whoopie pie, some apple schnitz and maybe some pot pie for a cheap lunch.

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Adams Morgan: I know you're getting tons of tournament questions today, but do you know of any WVU bars that my boyfriend can get his gold on at tonight (and hopefully Saturday!)?

(says the sad Blue Devil girlfriend who remains supportive nonetheless)

Fritz: Ragtime in Arlington is the big WVU bar in this area. (One of the owners went there.) They sing country roads during football season and everything.

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U Street: Old Dominion Brewhouse on 9th between N and M usually has the sound for one game on, and they've been very accommodating to us as far as making sure the game(s) you want to watch are visible at your seat (they have A LOT of TVs). Plus, they have towers of beer.

Fritz: Those are two very important points. And as I noted in our where-to-watch guide, they have a ton of specials during games.

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Hairclip: Nordstrom always has fantastic hair accessories.

Janet: For the chatter in search of cool hair clips, Nordstrom gets a nod.

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For my boyfriend, D.C.: I won a bet with my boyfriend, so now he has to get a boyzillian (brazilian for guys). Do the gurus know of a good place to get one?

David: Likely story. What, did he bet that Dustin Hoffman was in "Star Wars" or something? Sounds like his plan to have an excuse to get a boyzilian worked perfectly.

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Washington, D.C.: For our anniversary this weekend, my boyfriend and I are going to see the U2 Imax (pretty much, we just really want to see it, so we're calling it our anniversary date). Boyfriend is very meat and potatoes, and since for our last anniversary he did the fancy dinner thing, I want to repay the favor by taking him to an awesome burger joint. But I'm not sure what my options are around there. Any suggestions?

Jen: Hey, that sounds like a cool anniversary date to me.

There are few restaurants right outside the door of Natural History. But Old Ebbitt Grill is nearby and pretty good as far as meat and potatoes goes, though not exactly a burger joint. If you venture over toward Verizon Center/Gallery Place, you've got your Clyde's, your Matchbox, etc. Plenty of options there, too.

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You need a tailor...: Try Christopher Kim, 2000 M St. NW Washington DC 20036 Tel: 202.955.5467. My husband is short and is endlessly having pants shortened, sleeves shortened, etc., and Mr. Kim always does a wonderful job.

Janet: For the guy who needs a tailor to fix his blazer, here's another recommendation.

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Arlington, Va.: I'm sorry if this is a duplicate, but my computer keeps crashing....Gurus, I desperately need your advice. I have some friends coming into town Friday night and need to show them a great time. I have reserved a table at Park at 14th, but am having second thoughts. Can you please tell me what it's like on a Friday night? Would Fly be a better option? Ideally, we are looking for a lounge/small club that plays a mix of music, hip-hop, top 40. We are in our early 30's. Thank you!

Fritz: The Park's weekend crowd is a mix of ages (20s to 50s) and ethnicities. Good mix of music, depending what floor you wind up on (I like the 3rd's DJ better, but the 2nd is usually less crowded.) The main difference between Fly and the Park is that Fly is a younger, trendier scene with more people dancing. Park is closer to a lounge atmosphere.

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Speaking of beer...: ...where's y'all's current favorite place for dinner accompanied by really good beer? Atmosphere/location not important, but tasty food & a strong beer list are.

Fritz: Depends whether I'm in the mood for mussels at Beck or pizza at Birreria Paradiso.

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For the cherry blossoms: Far and away the best way to avoid crowds is to get there early. Ideally as soon as the sun comes up. It'll be beautiful, and the paths won't be overrun with people. The mob is in full force by noon.

Fritz: Or earlier. I was there at 10 a.m. one year and it was like riding the Orange Line at rush hour. It's also easier to walk around when you don't have to dodge SUV-sized strollers.

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Capitol Hill: Fritz,

What do you think about going to Jaxx in Springfield this Friday night to see Skid Row?

Remember them?

Fritz: I saw Skid Row open for Bon Jovi way, way, way back in the day, and wore out my black Skid Row T-shirt. "Youth Gone Wild" was one of my jonts.

But I wouldn't go see them without Sebastian Bach.

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Dupont Circle: Any ideas on what time Stephen Malkmus will go on tomorrow night? Just in case it is a five-song set . . .

David: It should be the standard Friday set times, so he should go on around 11:30. Maybe they'll move it up a bit since he (and, presumably many of his fans) is older now. But probably not. He'll play more than five songs. Whether he'll play more than five GOOD songs remains to be seen. Oh, just kidding Stephen, you know I'll always love you.

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Fairlington, Va.: A few friends of mine are going to Bobby Lew's tomorrow night. Is there a dress code? What kind of atmosphere should I expect?

Fritz: Bobby Lew's is a comfortable saloon that's been open for about a year but feels like it's been in Adams Morgan much longer. Longnecks-and-shots kinda place, with classic rock on the jukebox. You can wander across the street to the new Blaguard while you're in the neighborhood.

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Washington, D.C.: Does anyone know of cherry trees in Rock Creek Park? Thought it might be fun to track down a few trees that are not at the Tidal Basin and swarming with visitors. I've read in a few places that trees are located throughout the park but just don't know where. Thanks.

Anne: The park is a great place to go for a spring walk, whether you see actual cherry trees or not, because lots of plants have that light green aura of buds right now. If you're hard core about cherries, other free places to see lots of them together (with fewer tourists) would be the Arboretum and Brookside Gardens.

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Go Nats: "BTW, can I just say that it's ... incredible that the only bar anywhere near the stadium is a tiny, nondescript lounge off the lobby of a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel? "

Fritz, can you say "Business opportunity"?

Fritz: That whole area is under development, and I dunno what the plans are for all the buildings, but you'd be lucky to find 20 square feet that hadn't been snapped up by some developer.

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Washington, D.C.: Recently acquired a taste for Belgian Kriek beer, any suggestions on where to enjoy a pink, non-beer tasting beer?

Fritz: Kriek is a pretty popular mixer these days. Belga Cafe is doing a special kir-style drink with Kriek and champagne for Cherry Blossom season, and the Reef makes a fantastic half-and-half with white beer and Kriek called the Belgian Sunrise.

But if you want to drink straight Kriek, try Brasserie Beck (not sure which they have on draft, but it's a good one) or Belga.

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Alexandria, Va.: Is there anyplace to dance to '60s music? (NOT a Holiday Inn...)

Fritz: Marvin on Sundays, the Black Cat once a month during the Wag Night, an incredible night called Tighten Up in Baltimore on the last Friday of the month -- well worth the drive. It's in the old Lithuanian Hall, and the beer is dead cheap.

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Washington, D.C.: Somebody couldn't get a bar together in the 3 years the nationals have been here?

Fritz: Or organize some parking, either.

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Washington, D.C.: Any recommendations on a salon to get a facial in DC? I've never had one before, so any pointers on what to look for and what to expect would be great. (My boyfriend has already made all the family newspaper-inappropriate remarks about this question, so everyone else can hold off!)

Janet: So many places, so many choices. There's Celadon Spa in downtown D.C. for one. As for what to expect, every facial is a bit different. An aesthetician usually starts with cleaning and then goes on to give a mask treatment and then puts a lot of moisturizer on your skin. Should be enjoyable and relaxing!

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Absinthe Reality: It is not just theoretically available in the U.S. - it's here. Central has it at the bar. (I haven't tried it, but a friend of mine did and said it was nas-tay.)

Fritz: Central and Cafe Saint-Ex both have Lucid, the imported absinthe. I'm gonna drink some tonight.

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Re: the Boyzilian: Take him to Skin, right across from the Eastern Market metro (they have a sizeable male clientele), and then take him to Finn Mac Cools and buy him several Guinnesses, perhaps a couple of shots of Jameson for what he's gone through. Boys don't do grooming pain well, although the ladies at Skin do a superb job at the waxing.

David: Because a real question deserves more than just a snarky answer...

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East Africa: Time is running out!!! please guys any suggestion--- I want to chop off my hairrrrrr.

Janet: I love Paul Bosserman in Georgetown and his partner, Boch. They both do great jobs on all kinds of hair. Not cheap.

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Follow-up Question: Is there dancing at The Park?

Fritz: Not much. More of a lounging crowd than a dancing one, though that changes later on in the evening...

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Death by Sexy:: Hi Gurus! It's almost the weekend and I'm long overdue for a good night out. Me and another girl friend want to go hear Death By Sexy at the Rock n' Roll Hotel this Saturday night. I know the area used to be sketchy - think we'd be okay and what's the best way to get there from Northern Va? Metro and a cab ride? Thanks and have a great weekend!

David: Are we still legitimately asking "is H Street safe" questions or is this just a semi-well-disguised plug for Death By Sexy? Look, if you are walking around by yourself at 3:30 a.m. on a Wednesday and have $20 bills hanging out of your pockets, you might find some trouble. Hanging out on a Saturday, no. If you can cut out the Metro and just cab from Arlington I'd do that, even if it costs a few more bucks. I always drive from Arlington, it's only 15 minutes and there's plentiful street parking, but if there's going to be drinking, I'll assume that's not an option.

Fritz: My advice is always Metro to Chinatown and get the X2 bus at 7th and H or Metro to Union Station, walk a block over to 2nd St. NE to save a zone and take a cab.

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Washington, D.C.: My husband and I love to go out to breakfast on the weekends, but we're getting tired of our usual places Luna Grill and Open City. Do you gurus have any suggestions?

Janet: This may be much more than you want, but I recently went to the Colonnade at the Fairmont for brunch, and not only was the food terrific and plentiful, the setting is just divine -- perfect for a spring morning.

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Judiciary Square: Submitting early since I won't be around and I am hoping you all will know. Is there a list to when local carnivals will be in town? I would love to take my 3-year-old to a carnival this spring. Thanks in advance.

Anne: Thinking ahead, Flower Mart at the Cathedral is always a reliable bet for kiddie rides -- little cars in a circle over teeny weeny hills, that sort of thing. Plus an antique carousel. If you're looking for an amuseument-y atmosphere this weekend, Bunnyland at Butler's has a slide, little tractors to ride, and, I bet, some themed moonbounces.

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Cherry Blossoms: For the poster who was interested in the cherry blossoms, Here's a suggestion. My husband and I dragged ourselves out of bed early yesterday and went down to the FDR memorial. We got there about 7 a.m., and had the cherry blossoms practically to ourselves. (Plenty of parking too!) Some joggers and dog walkers, but other than that, just us, the cherry blossoms, and dawn over the Potomac! Priceless.

Anne: Here's the winner of the best-visitor-tip-that-could-also-be-a-Mastercard-commercial contest. Seriously, for the first-hand report.

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Please help me impress my friends!: Hi Gurus! I've got a couple of law school friends coming to visit next weekend (Apr. 5-6) and I'm looking to fill some gaps in our schedule. They are both swanky big-firm types (while I am a government peon) and they've done DC enough that we're staying away from any of the really touristy stuff. Here's where I need help: (1) I was thinking U Street for dinner and drinks Saturday night because it's a neighborhood they haven't seen, but I don't know it well. Where should we go? I'm open to pretty much any cuisine/price range. (2) Anything interesting/different going on that you would recommend for Sunday? Their flight isn't till 8pm, so we've got plenty of time. I was thinking maybe cruising through Old Town and checking out the Torpedo Factory, but that won't fill all day, and I'm open to any other suggestions. And if we do Old Town, do you have a lunch/brunch recommendation? Thanks so much!

Fritz: Marvin is the gimmie right now -- hot restaurant, fantastic mussels, good Belgian beer, fun lounge atmosphere, soul DJs and a huge back deck -- and if you can get in there, by all means try.

Other school of thought: If you're going to U Street, take them somewhere different -- maybe Dukem or Madjet for Ethiopian (the former is cool for dancing and music while you eat; I prefer the spice dishes at the later), or maybe some Caribbean cuisine (with homemade Dark and Stormys) at the Islander.

Ulah Bistro and Station 9 are also getting good reviews for food. For drinks on U Street, I like the jazz at Cafe Nema, the laidback Solly's or exploring the Belgian and German beer list at the Saloon.

For Sunday, well, there's the cherry blossoms, and there are a number of really cool exhibits closing in the next week -- I like Monkey Portraits, the Stephen Colbert portrait at National Portrait Gallery and Collector's Select.

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Adams Morgan: I just had friends in from Colorado the other weekend. We have a ritual of bringing local things that we think are great (wine, beer, chocolate, cheese...) when we visit one another. They brought Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing (I think?) and it was great. Do you know if it can be found any where in this neck of the woods?

Fritz: This should go in the FAQ: No Fat Tire East of the Mississippi.

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Washington, D.C.: I have some friends in town who really want to go to a trendy, NYC-type club (a see and be seen type of place...I know, annoying, but what can I do?). They don't really care where it is, location-wise. Any suggestions?

Fritz: Josephine. Fly. kstreet.

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Farragut North: Are there any art galleries in town that are open past 5PM?

Fritz: The National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum is open until 7 p.m. every night. I like to unwind the the Kogod Courtyard after work. Very relaxing -- and they have beer...

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Biking during Cherry Blossom Festival: ...NOT a good idea at all! You'll spend most of your time dodging walking tourists. You'll be so frustrated to have to 'walk' your bikes!

Fritz: I'll say it again: Valet bike parking. Don't ride once you're there.

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Fat Tire: Nope! You can't get it east of Chicago, not the Mississippi.

Fritz: Fine. Point is, it's not available on the east coast.

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McLean, Va.: Can anyone tell me about the Human Society event (or is the SPCA?) on April 12? I forget what its called, but I saw it listed as an event on Facebook (and saw that Fritz is attending....)Thank you!!

Fritz: Fashion for Paws, which benefits the Humane Society, is sold out. Should be a great time. (Sadly, I was invited to model, but I won't be able to...)

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Philadelphia, Pa.: Since no one's offered any first date suggestions, I will. Kayaking on the Potomac from Georgetown is awesome. So is picking beers for each other from Brickskeller (just don't eat there).

David: Thank you, Philadelphia. That's a good one.

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washingtonpost.com: Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms, the Nationals and all that other good stuff. See you next week.

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