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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This week will be unusually hot and humid in the District, so keep an eye out for heat advisories and air-quality alerts.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Gas prices spiked in the D.C. region last week, and AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts they could continue rising. [WTOP]
  • One of the Botanic Garden’s “corpse” plants will bloom soon, and it reeks. [Times]
  • A Fairfax abortion clinic has closed due to new state regulations. [NBC4]
  • Local rallies and demonstrations continue as a result of George Zimmerman’s acquittal on Saturday. [NBC4]
  • A new review says the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency is struggling to help kids at risk of child abuse. [WTOP]

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

Neighborhood Names: Politics & Prose’s owners fielded suggestions for naming its currently ambiguous stretch of Connecticut Avenue NW.

Even More Fringe: We have Hip Shot reviews of Recovery, Legal Tender, The Elephant in My Closet, and more.

A Side Unrelated to Doors: Vincent Orange made an appearance on Fox News last week to defend the living wage bill.

Absinthe, Now Absent: The secret absinthe speakeasy La Fee Verte is no more, as its new management is changing the bar’s concept.

Photo of the Day: Trayvon Martin Rally

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

  • In Nikita Stewart’s opus on Jeff Thompson, one anonymous source has the former D.C. contractor offering Vince Gray an off-the-books campaign loan. [Post]
  • Kenyan McDuffie will lead a committee on potential sanctions for Marion Barry. [Times]
  • Elimination of parking minimums dropped from zoning update. [Housing Complex]
  • Victor Hoskins living wage bill has deterred three other larger retailers from coming to D.C. [WBJ]
  • So-so reaction to David Catania‘s ed proposals [Post]
  • Deborah Simmons, DCGOP want a Walmart veto [Times, Times]

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

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

  • Starting over with the Eisenhower Memorial could cost $17 million. [AP via WTOP]
  • Ex-National Zoo employee finds a new hobby leading reptile-focused “Dragon Tours” at the National Gallery of Art. [Post]
  • The Huffington Post discovers Adrian Parsons. [Huffington Post D.C.]
  • Music on the Hill, D.C.’s newest music store, is now open for business on Capitol Hill. [DCist]
  • Even a cameo by the Arlington County Police couldn’t help Sharknado‘s ratings. [ARLnow]
  • Inside No Rules Theatre Company’s brain trust [Post]
  • Forum Theatre’s The T Party explores transgender lives. [WAMU]
  • PUPPET TAKEOVER! [WAMU]

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

  • The Pizza Belt—where you have the highest change of getting a decent slice [Gawker]
  • Ruth Bourdain revealed! [NYTimes]
  • The 10 best spots for ice cream, gelato, and sorbet [The Plate]
  • Where to get crabs [Roll Call]
  • More summer restaurant openings on the way [Eater]
  • Woodley Park’s District Kitchen launches a farm stand. [Post]
  • In defense of D.C.’s food scene [HuffPost]