Does Diet Soda Make You Fat? “…our brains can be retrained to learn that sweet taste doesn’t come with calories, and we can “decondition” the synthesis of addictive chemicals like dopamine that keeps us coming back for more. In other words, using artificial sweeteners may actually make us like the real thing less over time,” (The Daily Beast)

Labor Day weekend tips for traffic, Metro travel “It’s worth noting that this advice comes with accompanying clip art of two seagulls, one wearing a reflective safety belt reminiscent of sixth grade crossing guard duty. These seagulls obviously seem to lack any concept of time.” (tbd.com)

According to Vanity Fair, Spike Mendelsohn and Marcus Samuelsson = “Next Establishment” “Spike is on the list not only for his potential to “[own] the Hill’s dining scene,” but also the pizza/burger restaurant empire in the works. His inclusion is also maybe evidence that DC is truly the next major American food city.” (Eater)

For Peaceoholics, Lots of Money, Little Oversight: How Adrian Fenty’s Favorite Non-Profit Worked the System in D.C. “A 2008 DYRS study showed only 40 percent of Peaceoholics’ kids completed their program, and 37 percent of their kids went on to commit more crimes. Asked about the report, Fenty says he is unfamiliar with it. “Most of our children are successful,” Moten says. “We don’t have specifics. I think we do [have specifics] because we’ve given them to people before. I’m sure we do.”” (Washington City Paper)

In case you missed it: “24 hours is a telling time in Trinidad, a D.C. neighborhood turning the corner” “By 8:45, the Howells depart and begin to walk north on Bladensburg, hand-in-hand, sitting ducks in motion…Ashburn jumps in his Ford SUV and tails them through an alley parallel to the road…watching from a distance as the four blond heads bob their way up Bladensburg. He sees them safely home, then swings into a U-turn.” (The Washington Post)

“Can this divided house stand, husband for Gray, wife for Fenty” (photograph) Maybe he likes Sex and The City and she likes changes of heart. (twitpic.com)