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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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D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier met with residents last night to quell citizen concerns over a recent string of police officers who have been arrested for crimes including running an underage prostitution ring and attempted first-degree murder.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Tax data suggests the District may not have reduced its use of plastic bags as much as city environmental officials have claimed in the past. [Post]
  • The House GOP again tried to restrict access to abortion in D.C., and again committee leaders wouldn’t let D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton testify on her constituents’ behalf at the hearing. [City Desk]
  • The Trader Joe’s at 14th and U streets NW is set to open March 21. [PoPVille]
  • The Pigskins have a new coach. [Sports Illustrated]

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

Fiction Issue: ICYMI, our second annual Fiction Issue, featuring tales of the District from best-selling author Louis Bayard and the three winners of our short story contest. Bonus: The winners of our first ever photography contest.

Making Records: A new record store, Hill & Dale,  specializing in vinyl records, posters, and photography is opening up in Georgetown next month.

Next Best Thing? At last night’s mayoral debate, candidates wanted to face incumbent Mayor Vince Gray, who was a no-show. Instead, they got longshot candidate Christian Carter.

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

  • Vince Gray apology tour, day 2. [LL, WAMU]
  • Ward 1 candidates compete for the best policy on rats. [LL]
  • House committee won’t let Eleanor Holmes Norton testify on D.C. abortion law. [WAMU, City Desk]
  • Petula Dvorak: the Franklin School needs more than its development proposals. [Post]
  • Post ed board: Gray’s apology isn’t enough. [Post]
  • Georgetown mayoral debate makes Michelle Malkin‘s Twitchy, of all places. [Twitchy]
  • Hubris: No Pants Metro Day returns. [Post]
  • Council styrofoam ban could threaten jobs. [WAMU]
  • Gray names Martin Luther King Jr. holiday commissioners. [Blade]
  • LGBT activist lay out 2014 agenda. [Blade]

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

  • A nifty visualization of Capital Bikeshare and Metro patterns [M.V. Jantzen]
  • The plastic bag fee hasn’t been as effective as we’d thought. [Post]
  • Troubled, long-vacant Congress Heights building goes back on the market. [CHOTR]
  • A century-old panoramic photo of Walter Reed [Ghosts of DC]
  • D.C.’s top 10 exercise neighborhoods [Curbed]
  • The Franklin School wouldn’t serve the city well as a hotel. [Post]
  • D.C.’s not alone in introducing a streetcar this year. [GGW]
  • Surface lots—and Nats parking—slowly vanish from Capitol Riverfront. [JDLand]
  • Trader Joe’s on 14th Street NW will open in March. [UrbanTurf]
  • Today on the market: Manor Park rowhouse—$505,000

ARTS LINKS, by Ally Schweitzer. (tips? aschweitzer@washingto

  • D.C. is getting a new record store—in Georgetown. [Arts Desk]
  • Meet D.C.’s new library chief, Richard Reyes-Gavilan. [Post]
  • Hirshhorn makes some key new art acquisitions. (Warning: PDF file herein.) [Hirshhorn]
  • The Atlantic editor Scott Stossel talks about his severe anxiety and his new book, which is also about his severe anxiety. [Washingtonian]
  • Listen: Dismemberment Plan on World Cafe [NPR]
  • A Smithsonian project reveals that New Deal-era muralists didn’t know much about American Indian culture, even though they loved to paint American Indians. [AP]
  • Peter Marks names his five favorite shows at Signature Theatre. [Post]
  • Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approves right-wing extremist for library board. [Post]
  • How to save local bookstores [Huffington Post]
  • Help support a Rockville DIY venue. [D.C. Music Download]
  • An interview with the naked women of “Naked Girls Reading” [BYT]

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

  • Pasta Mia in Adams Morgan appears to be on the verge of closing. [Post]
  • The opening of Dupont’s STK steakhouse appears to be further delayed. [PoPville]
  • 82 Steak Out coming to Rockville Town Square. [Bethesda Mag]
  • Anthony Bourdain opening a big market in New York with international street foods. [NY Post]
  • Marvin revamps brunch menu. [Eater]
  • Where to drink warm cocktails [BYT]
  • Ris at Union Market now officially open. [Zagat]
  • Which of the 100 Very Best Restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week? [Washingtonian]