From Michelle Lancaster. You can follow her and tell her your news on Twitter @MichLancaster. Email her at [email protected].

Hot to Trot

Part of the reason we love Counter Culture coffee is the fact that you can’t just buy this sustainably harvested fair trade bean anywhere. Luckily, Peregrine now has a new Pedaler by Peregrine coffee delivery program that brings Counter Culture to you. On Thursdays between noon and 4 pm, Peregrine staff members will bring your whole bean coffee right to your door if you live between Columbia Road and H Street NW, as far east as 7th Street NW and as far west as Rock Creek Parkway. In true Peregrine style, you’ll also receive a bean bio of your roast and a discount on coffee brewing equipment. Visit the Pedaler by Peregrine website to start your coffee subscription using a 10% coupon.

Street Fair Fare at H Street

For a view of a different neighborhood (without a liquor license moratorium, for now), make the trek to H Street NE for their 2011 Festival. It runs noon to 7 pm and includes street parades, a pie eating contest, drum lines and marching bands — essentially, all the things that make street fairs awesome. There will also be food from the local restaurants, a fleet of food trucks, local artists and vendors.

DC Huffington Post Launches

Do we need a California-based identity with a national base of contributors to launch a blog to cover ‘real’ DC from a hyperlocal perspective? We’re not scared of the competition! It will be interesting to see how the venture works with the HuffPo logo and brand with a decidedly local to DC focus. If it succeeds, it may be due to their pick of an editor — Michael Grass, the co-founder of DCist. Check out his explanation of the HuffPostDC venture here.

Senate Version of DC Spending Bill Does Not Include Abortion Ban

In the ongoing battle of DC’s rights and the GOP agenda, DC scored a point or two for autonomy in the budget battle. While federal funds are still blocked from paying for abortion, the city tax revenue can continue to fund abortion in the city limits. The Washington Post reports on the Senate draft bill which will now go to the full appropriations committee for a vote. It remains to be seen what the House of Representatives will do with the city funding provision, though.

Streetscaping Back On the Ledger for Georgia Avenue

Score one for Ward One and their attempt at beautifying Georgia Avenue NW. After a protracting battle with the Mayor, Councilmember Jim Graham emerged with $1.44 million in restored funds for the project, Washington Examiner reports. Of course, while we are all for trees, it leaves a budget shortfall for renovating an old warehouse for DC police. What do you think of the budget shifting?

Venue Openings in DC Gay Nightlife

Expect Phase 1 to take over the former Apex space and Mova to reopen on the busy 14th Street NW strip shortly, says the Washington Blade. Also expect (or hope, or protest, depending on your inclination towards bars on 17th Street NW) a new inhabitant in the old Club Chaos space. Uproar Lounge and Restaurant has launched a Facebook page and hopes to open this summer. However, no one has come forward to try to claim the existing liquor license for Chaos, which would be necessary to open given the area’s liquor license moratorium. Expect more uproar over Uproar before it’s all said and done.

New Chef at DC9

The rock and roll bar has seen quite a few changes in the past year, but this is one of the more welcomed ones. They’ve hired Amber Bursik, who has worked with top DC names like Frank Ruta (Palena) and Barton Seaver (formerly of Hook). There are some seriously delicious sounding Southern-inspired dishes on the menu (anyone that doesn’t like fried green tomatoes may not like puppies and the flag) and some vegetarian dishes as well, such as her take on Red Beans & Rice.