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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Something to ponder this Friday: A Columbia Heights ANC commissioner who spent 158 hours on phone sex lines using a government phone says he didn’t know that was against the rules. Does that seem possible?

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Automatic train operation on Metro years away. [Examiner]
  • Hirshorn “Bubble” in trouble. [Post]
  • Man stabs MPD officer this morning, is fatally shot. [Post]
  • Report finds violations in MWAA operations. [Examiner]

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

Photo of the Day: Six Birds.

Shot on Location: Only 4 of 21 suggested filming locations in the District have been used. We’ve got suggestions for the rest.

The Bigger Team: D.C. United fans should stop complaining about getting the raw end of Hurricane Sandy rescheduling.

BLT Boo: Young & Hungry reporter Jessica Sidman tried a vegan BLT for World Vegan Day, but wasn’t impressed.

LOOSE LIPS, by Loose Lips columnist Alan Suderman. (tips? lips@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Council unhappily approves mayor’s request to move money over to schools [Examiner]
  • ANC commish calls adults-only line with city-owned phone [Post]
  • Vince Gray‘s birthday party host list is probably more notable for the old friends who aren’t on it. [Post]
  • Libertarian charter school board member’s reappointment in trouble [Post]
  • Vote yes on charter amendments, says Jonetta. [Examiner]
  • Vincent Orange is done talking. [Post]
  • Michael Brown hopes to “beat the odds.” [Informer]
  • David Grosso charges headlong against the “forces” pushing “atrophy in the human condition,” dude. [Blade]
  • 20-year-old ANC candidate about to become youngest openly gay office holder in D.C. [WAMU]

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

  • Of D.C. zip codes, 20008’s given most to Obama, while 20016’s given most to Romney. [UrbanTurf]
  • Federal agencies don’t feel the Sandy pain much. [WJLA]
  • The Union Station Barnes & Noble is schizophrenic, but open. [Post]
  • Drivers see L Street bike lane, think, “Sweet, new parking spaces.” [DCist]
  • New affordable housing in Alexandria will break ground in 2014. [DCmud]
  • A Colorado company buys the former Washington Times building on New York Avenue NE. [WBJ]
  • A Craigslist ad in bro-ese, translated for the layfolk. [DCist]
  • How to cherry-pick a good public school in D.C. [UrbanTurf]
  • Speaking of which… Today on the market: Your ticket to Wilson

ARTS LINKS, by Caroline Jones (tips? artsdesk@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • It’s not looking so good for the Hirshhorn’s massive (in size and in price) “Bubble” project. [Post]
  • Balloon artist Katie Balloons explains why D.C. is an ideal place to be an artist. [HuffPost D.C.]
  • Traveling readers, rejoice! Barnes & Noble at Union Station will stay open for another year. [Washington Business Journal]
  • A long look at the myriad of issues facing the Corcoran. [Post]
  • The Contemporary Wing gallery has agreed to do free insurance appraisals for New York and New Jersey artists whose work was damaged by Hurricane Sandy. [D.C. Docent]
  • Come to her window, er…doorway. Melissa Etheridge passed out Halloween candy in Takoma Park prior to her show at Strathmore tonight. [Takoma Park Patch]

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

  • Washington’s top ten chocolatiers [The Plate]
  • Woman leaves “single mom, sorry” as tip. [Zagat]
  • Pan-African restaurant Safari D.C. is making a comeback. [Post]
  • Best Bloody Marys in D.C. [Eater]
  • Point Chaud opens new location near City Center. [PoP]
  • The Park Hyatt’s tea sommelier shares the secrets to the perfect pot. [Express]
  • Fishers Farmers Bakers opening delayed until Nov. 9. [Washingtonian]