No, there is a max they can increase. When a place goes vacant, you can charge 10% more than the last tenant, unless they were there more than 10 years in which case you can charge 20%. This is from the pamphlet on DHCD’s site.

Time for a fundraiser! Get people to pledge x amount of dollars for how many of them show up and how long they stay.

I didn’t realize secret service was so concerned about whether a car has a valid registration sticker

If you stay in crystal city, you’d be right near Long Bridge Aquatic Center. You’d have to pay, but it’s what you seem to be looking for! There are a bevvy of hotels within maybe 3-5 blocks and is super convenient to the city either by car or by metro.

Senator Larry Craig liked it well enough

Welcome to DC! I would recommend using Google Maps to find places to eat that are near where you are when you get hungry. The reviews are pretty reliable, and most restaurants have a listing with their opening time, contact information, etc. Some fine dining will require a reservation, but you can eat quite well without spending a lot. However, I think that is a relative term—we are a big city and it is more expensive here as a general rule. Don’t bother eating at the museums, for instance. There are less expensive places just a five to ten minute walk away. Also, Americans are really nice! Feel free to ask anyone for their favorite restaurants nearby wherever you end up. If you don’t feel comfortable asking a stranger on the street, at whatever restaurant you end up, ask your server for other recommendations in the area. Servers also expect and often ask if you have dietary restrictions—at least at sit down restaurants. Plus most places have their menus online, too, so you can check before going. There are also plenty of restaurants from Muslim parts of the world that will not have pork—Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan. I don’t think I have ever seen pork on an Ethiopian menu in DC, either.