It’s been a busy month for the DC Concierge, but not without hustlin’ for the website cause, despite recent posting absence!  I’ve agreed to partner with local start-up YourNewCity.com to help folks get acquainted with the amazing neighborhoods in downtown DC!  So now that I’ve divulged where to go for things like the best fish tacos, non-clubby dancing, and restaurants for a transporting experience, it’s time to get down to best of the neighborhoods.  Looking forward to your help with this task in the comments sections!!!

I’m sucker for any ribbon-cutting where the Mayor and hardhats are involved, but FiOS especially!  I blog about the power of broadband all the time over at NextGenWeb, but now it’s getting even more personal.  We’re talking about fiber optic internet speeds 50/20 Mbps in my neighborhood !!!  Buildout will be going until 2018, but I bet that’s faster than this so-called purple line.

Watch the video below for comments from Verizon regional president for VA and DC William Roberts, DC’s Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Chris Willey, and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty!!

Okay, it’s not news that DC is the new black, the new New York, and the new …. well, DC.   But it certainly doesn’t hurt that internationally known, yet totally American at heart, designer Tommy Hilfiger was inspired by DC for his latest collection.  Not only was the fashion shoot done in DC, but they shared a great behind-the-scenes video and a spot-on guide to the city!!!   Okay, maybe I could use some more red, white, &  blue (and gasp…. khaki) in my wardrobe.  Thanks for the love, Tommy!

Friend of the DC tech scene Andy Mirsky, and his new partner Steve Kong, are opening their doors (literally and metaphorically) to help small businesses in the DC area and beyond. What’s in it for you?  Free legal advice.

Mirsky & Kong PLLC specialize in new media and business law and will be holding complimentary open door “office hours” (in-person and virtually) on Wednesday, July 29th, from 11am-2pm.

No appointments are necessary and (almost) any form of communication is welcome: in-person, email, Twitter, phone (anybody still using a phone?), Facebook.

Open questions and open answers on new media, online publishing, contracts, intellectual property, employment and HR.  No cost, with the understanding that any learning may be shared publicly. HOWEVER, they will not disclose company or individual names or confidential information.  Please do note, they may decide that certain issues should be explored outside the public nature of this event.

Walk-in: 1133 19th Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC

Phone: (202) 339-0303

Email: andy @ mandklegal .com

Twitter: HASHTAG your Q’s to #mirskykong

Allison asks: “We are driving to DC for our vacation and need a place to affordably stash our car. We’re staying at Hotel Rouge (near Scott Circle) and will be in town for about a week. Any ideas where we might park?”

The DC gov is pretty on top of things when it comes to parking, so the streets are not an option without local tags.  Exception: If you know a local resident who is willing to walk into a local police station with you and show their proof of residence, their guests can get up to two weeks with a temporary permit.  If not, I’d definitely suggest searching Craigslist for a weekly spot in the Scott Circle, Logan Circle, Thomas Circle, or Dupont Circle areas.  The going rate is about $225 for monthly so you should be able to score something for about $75.  Unfortunately, Reagan Airport doesn’t do much for long-term parking so at those rates you could do a downtown garage on weekdays and street park on weekends.  Good luck!