Photo by Michael Starghill / blog.michaelstarghill.com DCist was down at the courthouse when the very first same-sex couples applied for marriage licenses in the District of Columbia. LAist heard about a panel of former Scientologists who say they endured 100-hour work weeks for $50 in pay, were billed for thousands after leaving, and were made to sign billion-year contracts. Chicagoist took a few moments to ponder: where in the White House could President Obama sneak a smoke ? SFist posted an over-the-top letter to the editor lambasting gifted comedian Dave Chappelle’s Oakland performance , which led to a heated debate about humor, censorship, race and the transgender community. Seattlest honored Dr. Seuss’ birthday by sharing its recipe for Green Eggs and Ham. Torontoist saw one its city’s busiest intersections have a big week: on Sunday night, thousands congregated there for an impromptu party after the Canadian men’s hockey team took the Olympic gold , and on Tuesday afternoon, one brave young man streaked across it for a school project . Shanghaiist, after coming across an absolutely abhorrent list of Chinese foods in China to introduce to foreign visitors, decided to write up some better recommendations . Bostonist went to the White Snake opera , but no ’80s metal was involved. Houstonist had the good fortune to get an interview and a couple of exclusive songs from local glam-revivalists Roky Moon & Bolt , and became giddy thinking about the Astros in spring training . Londonist had a poke around Gotham City police headquarters and Sherlock Holmes’s favourite catacombs, a.k.a.the Farmiloe Building and the fantastically-named Clerkenwell House of Detention . Gothamist heard more about Governor Paterson’s many multiplying problems while dolphins frolicked in the East River . Phillyist debated the city’s top pizzerias after Playboy included a local joint in its list of the country’s best.

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Elsewhere In The ist-a-verse: Gay Marriage In DC