Meet Dan Cohen. Dan is a six-time Emmy Award winning veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker as well as a native Washingtonian. His recent documentary, “Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope” has achieved mass distribution, airing on PBS stations across the country. FamousDC had the chance to speak with Dan about the incredible story he tells in his film. About the film: In 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia carried a remarkable and diverse crew, which included Israel’s first astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon who was the son of Holocaust survivors; however, the shuttle exploded on its’ return. Dan’s new documentary tells the untold story of Colonel Ramon and his crewmates as well as the story of a small Torah scroll from the Holocaust that was on the Shuttle. It is a story of hope that will connect with audiences of any background. The documentary will be on: Sunday February 17th, 2013 at 5:00 PM ET – WETA Saturday February 23rd, 2013 at 7:00 PM ET – MPT/WMPT

Daybreak by Daniel W. Lawrence. Dan is an IT professional who works at the Brookings Institution. In his spare time he is a motorsport enthusiast and amateur photographer. Check out more of his photos on Flickr and 500px.

If you listen to anything in DC this month, make sure it includes these shows.

I was getting my hand stamped at the Black Cat on last night when I overheard the guy behind me in line say “if I don’t leave here with a black eye I’m gonna be pissed.” If I was walking into any other show I would roll my eyes, but for this one I nodded in approval. Ty Segall Band does not mess around.

Shout out to Ericka Anderson for making Washingtonian’s list of top fitness bloggers in DC. Erika Anderson loves running so much, she switched her blog’s focus from politics to living healthfully. She’s run a bunch of marathons and is an avid CrossFitter. We especially like her helpful post called “CrossFit …

What would happen if reality shows were based in the District… Survivor – Intern Wars: Tribes of white badged interns compete in a series of challenges (first contestant to actually get around Rayburn wins!). The surviving intern gets upgraded to the ever coveted staff assistant spot. Those who get kicked off the island go back to grad school. Money Metro: WMATA wisely decides to invest in metro cars with flashy disco lighting and lets customers who have been stranded during their commute compete in a trivia challenge to recoup their wasted fare. Cake Boss: Georgetown Cupcake and Sprinkes fight it out like the Sharks and Jets. What Not to Wear – Casual Friday: Just because you have plans after work on Friday doesn’t make that mini skirt and sequined bandeau appropriate. Offending contestants are required to wear overalls the remainder of the workday. The Amazing Race: Happy Hour Contestants bolt from the office at 5pm to try to get the best bar stools and the biggest buzz on before 7pm. Say Yes to the Dress – Pantsuit Pandemonium: Watch as Lohmans and Dress Barn open their doors in a blowout sale. See hair fly when the last matching blazer goes out the door. The Biggest Loser – Electoral College Edition: Poor Mitt.

Top Chef Season 10 contestant and owner/Chef of DC’s own Belga Café lunches with us for his thoughts on the DC food scene, where he thinks it’s trending, and wonders if DC is ready for Michelin stars. Walking down the restaurant and bar lined Barrack’s Row neighborhood of Capitol Hill, I see many familiar haunts that serve cold beer, and I am sure, decent food. Yet I am comforted with each step I take as it brings me closer to Belga Café. Opened in 2004 by Chef Bart, this place has been consistently cranking out some seriously delicious Belgian-inspired food, providing amazing mussels, and some of the all-around best dishes (and beers) to be found in The District. However, it’s not Chef Bart’s entertaining and hilariously hard-to-understand-sometimes performance on Top Chef Season 10 that brings me here…ok, well, it sort of is. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to have lunch with this guy. He’s always happy, he had a crazy ass partner Josie in the last challenge that resulted in his elimination (tear), oh yeah, and there’s mussel’s on the half-shell with garlic butter and an ice cold Kasteel Rouge waiting for me on the inside. Onward we march in the name of food journalism!

Brrrrrrr talk about a blizzard! No, but really, it’s a little too chilly out there for us so we put together a weekend of warm fun that includes plenty of fireplaces and strong drinks to keep the chill away. Not to mention it’s the last weekend in January – man, …

Photo by Tom Wilbur Photo by Noe Todorovich Photo by Patrick Onofre Photo by Jennifer Sherman

Dolcezza? What is that? It may sound like the name of a mysterious Italian popstar, but don’t be fooled…Dolcezza is a foodie’s treasure right here in DC. Marketing themselves as “Artisanal Gelato,” the coffee and gelato shop has an underrated atmosphere and offers a nice respite from your average Starbucks. …

Emily Reid, aka “dcemmy,” is an architectural, conceptual, lifestyle and experimental landscape photographer based in Washington, DC. She is a member of InstantDC, AMPt, and several other photography, web design, and digital media organizations. You can check our her architectural work on exhibit at the Honfleur Gallery in DC, which is presented by Vivid Solutions DC as part of InstantDC’s Soul of the City Show (open weekdays through February 22, 2013). Emily’s redesigned website will be live in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can also find her work on Flickr, Instagram, EyeEm, and InstantDC.

The only way to make it through Monday’s activities without being sober. Print and post at your office viewing party for maximum fun.

Looking for a fun inauguration party Sunday night? Then look no further than the minds behind StartUp RockOn. Started by fast-growing startups Event Farm, HyperVocal and Fighter Interactive, StartUp RockOn will host “An Inauguration Celebration” that features a performance by 2013 Grammy Nominee Lupe Fiasco, as well as a Congressional …

Inauguration weekend is upon us and the city is already stirring! Here’s your weekend lineup full of several gems to keep you entertained. Bonus: many bars are getting their licenses extended til 4 am so there will be plenty of action in the DofC!

Meet Shane Harris. Shane is a writer for the Washingtonian covering national security. Last week, he started Dead Drop, a new blog on Washingtonian’s site dedicated to snippets of national security news and pop culture. FamousDC was lucky enough to chat with Shane about his work and the new site.