Scooters and smarty pants: D.C.'s blogs

Good afternoon. Apologies for not posting yesterday's blog roundup. Between the D.C. mayoral debate and the gunman at Discovery headquarters in Silver Spring, it was a bit crazy in the newsroom. But we're happy to be back. So what's out there today? If you're a scooter enthusiast, we've got a post for you. Modern Domestic has some fun snaps from the first D.C. State Fair and Around the Mall pays a belated but well-deserved tribute to famous inventors. If you love frozen margaritas, now you know who to thank.

Of course we KNEW this, but still . . . We Love DC reports that The Daily Beast says the D.C. area is the third-brainiest in the nation. What? Only third? Hrumph. Apparently, Denver and Durham beat us out.

I’m a sucker for state fairs – funnel cakes, champion pigs, the Tilt-A-Whirl. I was disappointed I couldn’t make it to D.C.’s first state fair Aug. 28, but wanted to share this post from Modern Domestic (one of the organizers of the fair). Photos and a list of winners from the various food competitions. I want that recipe for peach and sour cherry pie! Also, New Columbia Heights has photos from the cupcake-eating contest.

Last month was National Inventor’s Month, but as the Smithsonian’s Around the Mall blog points out, it’s not too late to pay tribute to the great minds that brought us the light bulb, the artificial heart – and yes, the frozen margarita machine. (Maybe pick one of those up for your Labor Day barbeque?)

All Life is Local is issuing a call for scooter owners. ScootOverDC is a new listserve for those who love cruising the streets on two wheels.

Sweating the Big Stuff is celebrating his first blogiversary with a giveaway. And in keeping with the theme of his blog – saving money – he’s offering hard cold cash. $100 to be exact.

That's it for today. Thanks much for reading and -- barring a barrage of news -- we'll be back tomorrow with more great selections from the D.C. blogosphere. Know of a great blog that we're missing? Message me at aratanil@washpost.com.