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Lucky you! (My power is still out.) We have a list of our top picks right here.

So many places to start with this... 

One place that didn't make it into this year's Beach Guide (opened after my deadline) was Galaxy 66's new rooftop Skye Bar. I hear the views are fantastic. 

I always tried to make a point of hitting a bunch of the waterfront bars, especially the tiki bar at Harpoon Hanna's, the little private beach with beer pong tables and adirondack chairs at Macky's, the sandy bar with views of the marina and bay at Fish Tales. You're at the beach to be close to the water, so ...

There are a couple new breweries worth visiting, including Evolution in Salisbury and Burley Oak in Berlin, though those are covered in more depth in the Beach Guide.

Oh, and the short drive or bike ride down to Assateague Island for wild ponies and nature.

Chatters? Anything else you recommend for the beach?

The last place I saw that delicious little Berlinweisse-ish beer was either the Hamilton or Meridian Pint. I know I've had it at both.  It definitely comes and goes.

There are actually great options. Goldstar,  is great for getting an excellent deal on shows that haven't yet gained steam -- I've seen Cirque, "Fela!" and lots of other shows on sale there before they're reviewed and tickets become impossible to get (be sure to sign up for the e-mail blast). Ticketplace is another option - you can go in person or go online.   And finally, theaters including Arena Stage (which calls its deal Hottix) Woolly Mammoth (which calls its deal Stampede Seats) and Studio Theatre offer rush tickets for a very good discount, but you might want to try doing it close to the end of the run of a play, when some of the initial buzz has worn off, and more seats might be available. 

Olney is a residential exurb filled with some very nice people but very little in the way of a downtown. And unless you find strip malls and chain stores quaint you are out of luck. It also isn't very walkable. Before I get hate mail from Olneyites, I say all this as someone who deeply loves Olney, Sandy Spring and Brookeville.

With that said, the only shop I think might be what you are looking for is the Backyard Naturalist (think wild bird feeders).

Lavanya can help with the wineries (and she will in a moment, promise!). Steph has you covered on everything else:

For activities, I would say hiking at Humpback Rock, a history tour at UVa and a visit to Monticello. For dinner, there are quite a few delicious options on the Downtown Mall, including Zocalo and Hamiltons. My go-to is always Continental Divide for great Tex-Mex and margaritas.

How about getting your friends together for a brutal game of broomball at Kettler (which is not just ACed, but downright freeezing)? I'm quite the delicate flower, and I love broomball, but if violence isn't your thing, you could always make this summer you learn to ice-skate. Here's the summer schedule.

Around here, the best crab houses are not in D.C. You need to go out to Maryland for the full monty. Mike's (Riva) and Jimmy Cantler's (Annapolis) set the standards, with bushels of local crabs and homemade sides like corn on the cob, not to mention their waterfront views. Both have their defenders; I'm partial to Mike's. 

In tomorrow's Weekend section, I'm writing about Skipper's Pier in Deale, which is about 45 minutes from D.C. They do great local crabs (about $28 for all you can eat) and have a fun dock bar right on their own private pier.

We are in the midst of compiling the most epic brunch guide ever, so I won't point you to the old one. I'll give you this instead: For something a little nicer, try Liberty Tavern, or better, the brunch at Rustico in Ballston (Italian-style doughnuts, need I say more?); for something silly (including a fun brunch date), you've got to hit the cartoon brunch at EatBar; and if you're in the mood for pancakes, of course, there is the Original Pancake House.   And finally, for ultra-casual, cafe-style Sunday eats, I'd suggest either Cafe Assorti or Northside Social.

They might have been folks from Earth Treks. They have great indoor facilities and during the warmer months they head outdoors. As a general rule, indoor rock walls usually have great resources for people looking for outdoor excursions. I also suggest exploring climbing gym in Rockville it doesn't look like they will have another trip until the weather cools a bit, but they are well priced.

There aren't a lot of places around the Hill that are open at 9 a.m. Sunday and have the "festive" atmosphere you're looking for. Most places open at 11;  the new Pacifico doesn't open until 10:30.

There's always the Tune Inn, which opens at 8, but I'm not sure that's what you're looking for.

Um, what would make the power go out again? The Cap Weather Gang are using words like "sultry" and "painfully warm" but the one word I'm not seeing is "rain." So looks like this weekend will be amazing for sitting home in the air-conditioning, watching the Kardashians (isn't that implied?)

New York Avenue Beach Bar. Place is designed for bachelorettes, from the sand to the frozen margaritas to the all-top 40 playlist. It's not your traditional dance club, but it's a lot of fun.

I've also heard a lot of top 40 at El Centro late-night, whether on the dance floor or on the rooftop deck. 

And if it's on a Saturday, the new party at Capitol Lounge (seriously) is shaping up nicely, with radio-friendly playlists, an ice luge for shots on the back patio ... and lots of people dancing.

(One note I feel compelled to add: from Graffiato, Little Miss Whiskey's at 11th and H NE is closer than going to Cafe Saint-Ex at 14th and T.)

I actually got to hang out with the D.C. Broomball folk a couple of years ago, and it was a cool, mixed group, men and women. Thanks for the extra details.

Do you have any in mind? I live in Rockville and love Olney but am drawing a blank. Maybe a bit farther out I'd count Cricket Book Shop...

I'd say the rooftop at Jack Rose -- which has several little private areas, including one with a great view of downtown -- would work. Classy enough for bosses, spiked snowcones for the more rowdy elements of the crowd. I'd also suggest looking into a room at Buffalo Billiards, the upstairs room at Irish Whiskey Public House (which we've gotten great feedback about, both here and via e-mail), the rooftop bar at Masa 14 -- all would work, I think.

I  think there's no question that they're obligated to tell you there was no AC, but  I'm going to assume that maybe she wasn't fully up on the situation, or that maybe that "not working properly" didn't mean "totally broken," so she didn't think to let you know.

For folks who fought for their Bandolero reservations, many would stick it out, anyway, as you tried to. 

Take them on a quick road trip to the beach. Try Downs Park in Pasadena. (FYI Quiet Waters Park closed.) Afterwards, head to Annapolis, the dog-lovers capitol of Maryland.

This is always a hard question for us to answer, no matter the exhibit. Some people walk faster than others. Some people spend longer lingering over models. Some like to read every word on explanitory captions next to art, while others don't. 

Titanic isn't a huge exhibtion, and many of the items, like the replica lifeboat, come from the film of the same name. I'd definitely give yourself an hour if you move at a good pace.

Artomatic is actually done -- I would consider hitting the big Miro show at the National Gallery of Art, then perhaps have an amazing lunch up the street at Fiola or Rasika, or those family faves Jaleo or Zaytinya (see about getting reservations, to save on the wait). Friday night is the Fringe Festival preview, which could be fun and crazy (get there early to get in; the tent opens at 7), and if your parents are adventurous, they can see we're not that buttoned-up of a city.

That is exactly what I told her. It seems like a butterfly flittering about could knock out power. (And no, I am not bitter that I haven't had power in a week. Ok, maybe a little.)

She's so totally bitter. 

Or kept the ice-water (or margaritas) coming...

Thanks! We also have this set of suggestions to beat the heat, including a stop at Estadio (perfect on a day like today or tomorrow, when folks are off work; it's open for lunch for a little daytime slushito-drinking). The one that I'm intrigued by right now is Luray Caverns; I almost went last year, while winery hopping, but this year I'll definitely make it.