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A morning roundup of news, opinion, and links from Washington City Paper and around the District. Send tips and ideas to citydesk@washingtoncitypaper.com.

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The most interesting man on Capitol Hill doesn’t work in the Capitol. He’s a longtime bartender in the neighborhood—-and has been about the only constant there over the last 50 years.  Meet Rudi Appl in our latest cover story.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • D.C. wants to overhaul the Park Morton housing complex in the now-desirable Park View neighborhood. Why is it so difficult? [Housing Complex]
  • Local bartenders are making big bucks on the side by being brand ambassadors for liquor companies. A look at what that actually means. [Young & Hungry]
  • D.C. will start issuing limited-purpose licenses to undocumented immigrants today who have been living in the city for at least six months. [WAMU]
  • After this week’s unrelenting rain, parts of the D.C. region are quite literally underwater. [Post]

RECENT CITY PAPER STORIES TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:

Cover Your Tracks: For better or worse, one of D.C.’s most recognizable local music acts is a ’90s cover band whose fanbase includes 30-somethings who enjoy dancing to Britney Spears.

It’s Electric: Pepco was sold to Exelon for $6.8 billion. Here’s how that could affect D.C.

Interparty Love: Independent mayoral candidate David Catania, who is a former Republican, is distributing “Democrats for David”signs.

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Will Sommer. (tips? wsommer@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • David Catania: “I know if I get up every day and do my best and communicate my message, I know I’ll win.” [AP]
  • Fire chief Kenneth Ellerbe says he can make schedule changes without affecting Shaw service. [Post]
  • Catania campaign offers Democrats a chance to show their support. [LL]
  • Today is primary campaigns’ last chance to take down street signs. [WAMU]
  • Vince Gray administration officials skip Vincent Orange‘s Emancipation Day hearing. [LL]
  • Insurance questions loom over taxi commission hearing. [WAMU]
  • Gay marriage complications await nonresident couples who look for a divorce in D.C. [Blade]
  • Marion Barry: Anacostia streetcar is “the most ill-planned, poorly conceived streetcar in America.” [WBJ]
  • WPFW’s District politics show moves to 1 p.m. on Thursdays. [Twitter]
  • Southeast residents testify against CSX rail tunnel at Council hearing. [Post]
  • Bizarre messaging aside, you don’t have to rush to the DMV and get a new license. [Post]
  • Books cart service will start in D.C. Jail later this year. [Post]
  • What the Pepco sale could mean for D.C. [Housing Complex]
  • A look at the Marriott Marquis [WBJ]

HOUSING COMPLEX, by Aaron Wiener. (tips? awiener@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • City aims to boost struggling New Communities program with “branded swag.” [WBJ]
  • Why doesn’t every place have free Wi-Fi like NoMa? [Post]
  • A peek inside the new convention center hotel. [WBJ]
  • Neighbors to Council: Please don’t let CSX expand its Navy Yard-area tunnel. [City Desk]
  • The Washington Post discovers Eckington. [Post]
  • JBG aims to raise more than $750 million. [WBJ]
  • Today on the market: Penn Quarter 3BR condo—$799,999

ARTS LINKS, by Christina Cauterucci (tips? ccauterucci@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Strathmore is opening a new music venue, AMP, in North Bethesda this fall. [Arts Desk]
  • D.C. musician Clifton Williams won a contest to write a new theme song for the Apollo Theater. [Post]
  • These five curators and 25 artists will make lots of public art this fall, thanks to DCCAH’s 5×5 Project. [East City Art]
  • Tenleytown’s Casa Fiesta, a Mexican restaurant that’s hosted dozens of local and national punk acts over the past two years, is closing its door to future shows. [Arts Desk]
  • Here’s a job idea for struggling writers: Ghostwrite some poor schmuck’s online dating profile. [Post]
  • A list of can’t-miss performances before, during, and after Saturday’s Funk Parade on U Street [D.C.Music Download]
  • Cinderella goes hip-hop at Imagination Stage, thanks to playwright/director Psalmayene 24. [Washingtonian]

FOOD LINKS, by Jessica Sidman. (tips? jsidman@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Mintwood Place team to open restaurant in Shaw. [Post]
  • D.C. Derby Day party guide [BYT]
  • Phillips Seafood will find a new home in L’Enfant Plaza. [WBJ]
  • New tacos to try as Cinco de Mayo approaches. [Eater]
  • Five things Belga Cafe and B Too owner Bart Vandaele has learned [Zagat]
  • “Neighborhood eatinghouse” Bread & Salt coming to Tenleytown. [PoPville]
  • Toki Underground now delivers. [DCist]