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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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This happened fast: The Nationals used to be terrible, but as of last night, they’re newly minted National League East champions.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • What should the Redskins be renamed? Make your suggestion here. [City Desk]
  • Council Chairman Phil Mendelson wants a referendum on budget autonomy. [WTOP]
  • Occupy D.C. returns to the streets. [Post]

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

Photo of the Day: Monday Hat.

Metro Contractor Versus Twitter: That didn’t take long. Just a week after Metro launched a new $1,250-a-month campaign to get passenger feedback, the company behind the campaign got in a fight with Metro critics on Twitter…and was told to back off by Metro.

Expensive Restaurant Gets More Expensive: Top D.C. chef José Andrés‘ Minibar is back, but this time, a meal there will cost $75 more.

Construction Boom: Screw up your city contracting and get the boot to Maryland, says Mayor Vince Gray.

Genius Grants: After the announcement of the MacArthur Foundation’s genius grants yesterday, D.C. has two more certified geniuses.

Watergate Real Estate: How much can $4.25 million get you at the Watergate? This.

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

  • Behold the political courage of Phil Mendelson: “I will never pick sides against the candidacy of a colleague.” [Post]
  • Mendo to back referendum on budget autonomy that city’s lawyers think is kind of shaky [Post]
  • Mary Cheh wants 10 percent of parking meters reserved for the handicapped [Times]
  • Breaking down Michael Brown‘s campaign strategies [Examiner]
  • Council set to approve D.C. Chamber of Commerce CEO Barbara Lang to airports board [Post]
  • MPD gets new crime lab [NBC4]

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

  • See where the bigwigs live(d). [UrbanTurf]
  • Nearly a fifth of homebuyers are investors. [NAR]
  • Comparing Obama’s and Romney’s plans for housing. [Housing Wire]
  • The eight biggest developments in the region. [CurbedDC]
  • Mary Cheh aims to set aside over 10 percent of parking meters for handicapped. [WJLA]
  • Greenbelt plan defeats self. [GGW]
  • Vancouver-style ferries on the Anacostia? [GGW]
  • Mendo gives thanks to LivingSocial. [Washington Times]
  • Today on the market: Bricks and shingles and Tudor in one!

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

  • The D.C. Preservation League has filed to protect interior spaces in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, meaning that if the building were sold, its new owners would have to allow for a public review of any changes to its interior. [Washington Post]
  • National Children’s Museum sets a Dec. 14 opening date for its new location at National Harbor [Washington Business Journal]
  • Part of Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be filmed in D.C. in 2013. [DCist]
  • Listen to Volta Bureau‘s new Hot EP! [Soundcloud]
  • Sunday night’s opening gala for the National Symphony Orchestra raised $1.3 million, in stark contrast to the dire straits faced by other symphonies across the country. [Post]
  • Steve Newsome, former director of the Anacostia Community Museum, died last week. He served in the role for 12 years until he retired in 2004. Before that, he was the founding director of the Banneker-Douglass Museum and Executive Director of the Maryland Commission on African American History. [Art 202]
  • Remember: October is National Arts and Humanities month. [Art 202]

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

  • Let the fried chicken and doughnut wars begin. [Eater]
  • Die-hard Nationals fans go to Duffy’s. [Post]
  • LivingSocial will host “Gangnam Style” happy hours. [DCist]
  • “Restaurant accelerator” coming to 1017 7th St. NW. [PoP]
  • Off-the-radar restaurant deals in D.C. [Zagat]
  • Hikaru Sushi closes in Courthouse. [ARLnow]
  • Fall apple-picking guide [NoVa Mag]
  • Inside Washington area’s first Smashburger [WBJ]