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Good morning sweet readers! LL’s DVR didn’t record the last five minutes of the Cowboys game. It’s almost as if the machine knew … News time:

Malaise Factor: The Post airs the D.C. Council’s current dysfunction on the front page Saturday, leading with what it calls a “striking illustration” the current sad state of affairs: a distracted Councilmember David Catania unable to focus on health care reform during a talk with D.C. Chamber boss Barbara Lang. Wha? The Post says labor and business bosses along with city activists feel like the council lacks a “sense of confidence that the city can overcome its scandal-plagued funk — perhaps through a coherent legislative strategy that positions the District for more prosperous times.” Part of the blame, the Post quotes observers saying, belongs with Mayor Vince Gray‘s “paper-thin” legislative agenda. Most interesting thing from the whole article:  “Complicating matters, some members said, is Marion Barry’s (D-Ward 8) campaign to rally some black members by arguing the media is unfairly targeting them, leading to more racial polarization. ‘“What I have said to the six other black members, very clearly, is that when other ethnic groups get into power, they respond to their constituencies,’ said Barry.”

AFTER THE JUMP: Money Factor, Hit the Road; Local Boy Makes Good …

Money Factor: TWT notes that the forthcoming ethics bill won’t do anything to make the super cozy relationship between lobbyists, city contractors and elected officials any less cozy. Tonight, for instance: “Washington lobbyist-developer-parking services provider David W. Wilmot and D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, along with other city contractors, will co-host a fundraiser for council member Yvette M. Alexander on Monday night at the home of D.C. developer Pedro Alfonso.” Wilmot, TWT notes, lobbies for Walmart while raising money for elected officials in wards where Walmart wants to build. Ward 6 Councilmartyr Saint Tommy Wells, who doesn’t get Wilmot money, calls such a setup the “definition of pay-to-play.” Meanwhile, Colby King gives Wells some love, while dissing the ethics bill some more.

Hit the Road: Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans tells WTOP that Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. ought to take a leave of absence while the feds play around on his motorcycle. “Having an indicted member, or mayor, would certainly be a spectacle we can’t afford at this time,” Evans tells WTOP, which referred to Thomas as “Harry Brown Jr.”

In Other News:

• Local Boy Makes Good! Lamont Peterson is champion of the world.
• Greater Washington Board of Trade CEO Jim Dinegar tells Kojo that businesses are losing patience with Occupy DC, says McPherson Square will be “a toxic waste dump for the next couple of years.” Gray also says he’s starting to lose patience.
• Post ed board to Congress: no riders please.
• City exploring ways to crack down on irresponsible party promoters.
• Wanda Lockridge defends her late husband’s name.
• Gray pushing ahead with PSC nominee Elizabeth Noel, despite objections from Pepco and Jonetta Rose Barras.
• Meet DCPS’ teacher of the year.
• NoMa Swingers, celebrate.
• D.C. non-profits pass up on gold mine.

Gray sked: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: One City ●One Hire Phase 2 Announcement; 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Farewell to DCPS 100,000 Strong Initiative Student Ambassadors; 5:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Greater Washington Board of Trade “Big Four” Dinner.

Council sked: Hearing on special ed transpo at 10 a.m.; Mark up of B19-429: Historic Property Improvement Notification Amendment Act of 2011 at 10:30 a.m.