For folks in the DC area with the desire to learn more about owls, I'd recommed USDA Graduate School's "Owls" class.  This class is not offered every year or every other year, so you'll want to jump on this class this year if you can.

I took the class a few years ago and enjoyed the classroom and field instruction, and it gave me the confidence to get out there on my own to search for them.  Can also be very helpful in this last year of the Breeding Bird Atlas.  If the instructor keeps the same format, you'll have field trips going to known locations for owls.  Example - fields where you frequently find Short-Earred Owls, maybe a location with a Great Horned on nest and the like.

Go to this link for more information.  I'm happy to answer questions off-line.  
http://grad.usda.gov/cgi-bin/course/search.cgi?csearch_cno=NATH1165E

Denise Ryan
Cheverly, MD
denise_ryan "at" lcv.org