It appears that neither is true, though, since he'll be speaking at Lisner Auditorium tonight about his new book, "Our Choice," which details what his own press releases describe as his "years of experience as a student, policymaker, author, filmmaker, entrepreneur and activist to comprehensively describe the real solutions to global warming." Maybe he's counting on the District's college students to take up the torch of responsibility for saving the planet. Good luck with that, Mr. Vice President.

» George Washington University Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW; Thu., Nov. 5, 7 p.m., $10; 202-994-6800. (Foggy Bottom)

Written by Express' Anne Polsky
Photo by Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

Political analyst and longtime D.C. journalist Steven Roberts tells the stories of modern transplants to this great nation in his new book, "From Every End of This Earth," and will be speaking about it tonight at the National Press Club.

» National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW; Wed., Nov. 4, 6 p.m., free; 202-662-7500. (Metro Center)

» EXPRESS: Why don't people throw dinner parties anymore?
» REYNOLDS: They're misinformed. People our age don't understand they can be as simple as saying, "I'm going to roast a chicken and make a salad. Will you guys come over and bring a bottle of wine and have dinner?"

» EXPRESS: Why should they?
» O'NEILL: When you start regularly sitting down at the table with people, you realize this is a great social thing. You can recharge and meet new people.

» EXPRESS: Can anyone can teach themselves to cook?
» O'NEILL: Like any self-improvement project, it doesn't come overnight. Cooking for other people is a motivator that makes you cook. Often, people think, "If it's just for me, it's not worth it." But if you have people over, you're excited and make more effort.

He ramps up comfort foods (a fresh herb-powered chicken pie, almond-spiked chocolate swirl cheesecake) while keeping them simple enough to make for an impromptu Sunday brunch, either for a solo snacker or a table of guests — who, presumably, like him better than his co-stars do.

Pity these unbelievers, for they shall miss out on easy how-tos and haute food porn photos.

First in 1999's "Motherless Brooklyn" and later in 2003's "The Fortress of Solitude," he mapped out the streets and parks, the schoolkids and the shady characters, the street ball games and the back-alley deals that once defined the borough where he grew up and currently lives. He is, however, interested in realism only insofar it provides a backdrop for his often fantastical tales about henchmen with Tourette's or music critics with a superhero dreams.

For his latest novel, "Chronic City," Lethem moves the action northwestward to Manhattan, which has the feel of a video game or an alternate universe. Allusions to real-world celebrities and movies mix with obviously fictionalized artists and television shows. A former child actor named Chase Insteadman befriends an eccentric cultural critic named Perkus Tooth, who holds forth on Marlon Brando, Norman Mailer, and Stanley Kubrick, all while smoking different blends of weed nonstop. Thus, the title.

"Chronic City" is Lethem's most otherworldly novel since 1998's "Girl in Landscape," and while it may not carry the grit and grime of his Brooklyn books, it nevertheless shows him to be a deeply imaginative and adventurous writer. For his appearance in D.C., we asked Lethem to discuss the boroughs and help us decode the book.

» Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW; Wed., Nov. 4, 7 p.m, free; 202-364-1919. (Van Ness)

Photo by Marion Ettlinger

Now he's written a book, "Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self," and he's stopping by the Corcoran to give tips in person. Feel like you can't pull off a giant ruff or cigarette jeans at the office? Siriano will convince you otherwise. Send us pictures of the ensuing fashion-forward and office-ridiculous hilarity.

» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Tue., Nov. 3, 7 p.m., $20; 202-639-1700. (Farragut West)

Photo by Frazier Harrison/Getty Images

For the mag's first book release, "Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish: A Heeb Storytelling Collection," arts editor Shana Liebman compiled some of the best offerings from the magazine's regular storytelling column.

The tales within capture the full spectrum of modern Jewish experience, from the sex and drugs alluded to in the title to less salacious, but still entertaining accounts of work, family life and growing up.

Liebman talked to Express over e-mail about the origins of Heeb, what makes a story Jewish, and the unfortunate lack of interesting narratives involving gefilte fish.

THERE'S SOMETHING UNDENIABLY cool about David Cross. Maybe it's the gray beard he's grown to go with the bald head and thick-rimmed glasses. Maybe it's because he's probable smarter then you — dude does have a way with words.

Maybe it's because he's kind of an asshole.

Whatever it is, you get the sense he knows it, which might explain why Cross decided to write his first book, "I Drink for a Reason" (Grand Central Publishing), released in August. He's knowledgeable about politics, controversial about religion and spot-on when it comes to making fun of people. Cross doesn't mince words — it's part of his appeal.

The book's a somewhat fragmented work of essays on the various topics you'd expect from Cross, and to promote it, he embarked on his fist stand-up tour in five years.

During the break from stand-up, Cross filled his time with roles in "I'm Not There," "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Year One." The co-creator of HBO's brilliant "Mr. Show," Cross is still probably best known for his role as Dr. Tobias Funke, a former psychiatrist with delusions about his acting prowess, on the cult-favorite series "Arrested Development."

Express chatted with the 45-year-old comedian about his return to touring, health care and Barack Obama. Oh, and before you go looking for it, no, Cross has nothing new to say about the "Arrested Development" movie, which series creator Mitchell Hurwitz is currently scripting.