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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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It’s one of the last Fridays of the summer, and the pressure’s on to have a good time. But first, how much is Phil Mendelson making? Read on:

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Park yoga crackdown could be in the works. [WAMU]
  • Phil Mendelson‘s the highest-paid person employed by the Council at $190,000, with Council’s chief technology officer at No. 2. [Examiner]
  • Detectives unhappy about rotations to patrol. [WUSA9]

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

Photos of the Day: Man on Bench.

Inspector General Avoids Inspecting: The inspector general’s investigation into cheating at DCPS, which failed to find any evidence of widespread cheating, didn’t ask the right questions.

Junk Food War: “Hot Cheetos and Takis,” the viral hit in which Minneapolis youth celebrate their two favorite chips, could unseat “Call Me Maybe” as the song of the summer. But are Hot Cheetos and Takis really that delicious—-and what about the kids’ claim that they’re better than Fritos and Doritos? Hence, a Hot Cheetos and Takis taste test.

Mural for All Seasons: The mural at Sherman Avenue and Barry Place NW represents the changing of the seasons. Take a look at the rest of what makes it up in an anatomy of the mural.

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

  • Wasted work day at the Wilson Building as staffers will spend much of the day comparing salaries [Examiner]
  • Jack Evans pays his staff the most; Jim Graham the least. [Examiner]
  • DCPS after-school programs to ask citizenship status for data gathering purposes only. [Post]
  • Michael Brown should have to file his OCF report, says Jonetta. [Examiner]
  • Kenyan McDuffie keeps his nose to the grindstone during break. [Informer]
  • Mayor Gray vows to preserve city’s strict gun-control laws. [Times]
  • Crackdown coming on yoga in the park? [WAMU]
  • Gray puts together panel to discuss burying power lines. [Post]

ARTS LINKS, by Jonathan L. Fischer (tips? artsdesk@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Meet Josh Stoltzfus, Artisphere’s new programming director. [Post]
  • Florida Ave. NE gallery Conner Contemporary is now Connersmith.—after founders Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith. [Connorsmith.]
  • In his first season, Round House Theatre’s new artistic director drops two plays chosen by his predecessor. [Post]
  • Mayor of D.C. hip-hop/Arts Desk contributor Head-Roc has a romantic new music video [YouTube]
  • How Alexandria rapper Black Cobain does [All Hip Hop]

FOOD LINKS, by Young & Hungry editor Jessica Sidman. (tips? hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Coffee is the new wine. [NPR]
  • Tony & Joe’s set to reopen Sept. 1 or sooner. [Zagat]
  • Maketto‘s first vendor previously worked at the Eden Center. [Eater]
  • Fast Gourmet no longer affiliated with TakEatEasy, which is coming to Dupont/ [PoP]
  • Family Research Council shooter had 15 Chik-fil-A sandwiches. [CityDesk]
  • Ordering shark fin soup at a Chinese restaurant is like ordering a bottle of Cristal at The Park at 14th. [Post]
  • Brewing tutorial video from DC Brau [BYT]