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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Local economists project that under a shutdown the Washington area could lose more than $200 million per day, not including the major to hit to the tourism industry.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • On top of already enacted sequestration cuts, the looming shutdown could be worse on D.C. contractors and agencies than any before. [Washington Business Journal]
  • Today is the last day the National Aquarium will be open. [WTOP]
  • The D.C. Taxicab Commission announced that some cabs could receive another extension to install credit card readers. The commission said it would, on a case-by-case basis, “review the specific hardship circumstances provided only through DC Drivers United for Equal Rights to determine if any relief would be warranted.” [City Desk]
  • Capital BikeShare made its debut in Montgomery County, with 14 stations opening in the county. [WAMU]

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

Election Fools:D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson is trying once again to move the city’s primary from April Fools Day to June 9.

Exclusive States of America: Only 25 percent of Americans think D.C. should be a state, according to a new poll.

The Illusionist: Dupont residents want police to be harsher on a man who’s been arrested 43 times for breaking into cars in the area.

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

  • District could pull from the rainy day fund if the federal government shuts down. [Post]
  • Less dramatic shutdown plan disappoints Post columnist. [Post]
  • Keith Forney, last in the news giving money to Marion Barry at a strip club, is protesting a city contract. [WBJ]
  • Some cabbies could have more time to install credit card meters. [City Desk, WAMU]
  • Half of DCPS principals don’t reach “effective” benchmark. [Post]
  • Robert Bobb is still weighing his options for the mayor’s race. [Informer]
  • DDOT will study the possibility of a nine-mile streetcar line. [WAMU]
  • Medical marijuana dispensary operator opposes “timing” of pot legalization bill. [Post]
  • Washington Times‘ Deborah Simmons accuses Gray of “promoting cockiness instead of confidence.” [Times]
  • Post ed board: New CFO nominee Jeff DeWitt will have “fresh eye.” [Post]

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

  • The aesthete’s case for a very modest change to the Height Act. [Post]
  • Howard reverses its enrollment decline. [AP]
  • Today’s the last day of the National Aquarium. [WJLA]
  • Today’s the first day of the 1st Street NE improvement process. [Hill Rag]
  • Get ready for more conferences. [Post]
  • Muriel Bowser caught parking illegally in Petworth. [New Columbia Heights]
  • Details on the residential building coming to the 11th Street NW postal site. [SALM]
  • More details and renderings of Forest City’s Yards extension. [WBJ]
  • Today on the market: Million-dollar condos

ARTS LINKS, by Ally Schweitzer (tips? aschweitzer@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Guerilla Union had signed on to produce three Rock the Bells festivals at RFK. [Washington Business Journal]
  • Mount Vernon’s fancy new Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington is now open. [Post]
  • In humbler library news, a reminder: D.C. library hours will extend Tuesday. [PoPville]
  • Another reminder: The National Aquarium closes today. [WTOP]
  • District puts out an RFP for Chuck Brown Park. [Housing Complex]
  • The facts on Gypsy Sally’s [Post]
  • A Q-and-A with the D.C. indie-rock dudes Tereu Tereu [D.C. Music Download]
  • Choreographer Lucy Bowen McCauley gets the First Person Singular treatment. [Post]

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

  • Top 10 breakfast bites around D.C. [The Plate]
  • Brunches for every sense [Express]
  • Spike Mendelsohn is bringing Good Stuff Eatery to Chicago. [Twitter]
  • Chocolate mousse dessert at Georgetown El Centro D.F. looks like a box of cigars. [Post]
  • Teddy & The Bully Bar launches brunch. [PoPville]
  • The real cost of a pizza [Zagat]
  • Fresh olive oil has the most health benefits. [NPR]