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Good morning from Washington City Paper! It’s Tuesday—and it’s election day here in D.C. and in Maryland. Today in 1996, District-born Ron Brown, former President Bill Clinton‘s secretary of commerce (and the first black person to hold that position) was killed in a plane crash in Croatia. Brown is the father of D.C. Council At-Large member Michael A. Brown. (Who isn’t on the ballot today.)

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS: Dozens of D.C. employees knowingly committed unemployment fraud. [Examiner] Former taxi official Leon Swain Jr. talks about his time as an informant for the FBI. [Post] Fears of low turnout in today’s primary because it’s a bit early. [Times] But it’s your day to shine, D.C. Republicans. [WJLA]

YOUR DAILY QUALITY-OF-LIFE MEASUREMENT: On Monday, City Paper‘s Needle ticked down 3 points. The bad news: Still waiting on the lottery winner from Baltimore to step forward. The good news: The Redskins may get a less racist uniform. Take a look here.

SIX CITY PAPER STORIES FROM THE LAST 24 HOURS TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:

More Fun With Money Orders: Hoo boy. You think you’ve seen all the suspicious money orders Jeff Thompson sent to At-Large D.C. Council incumbent Vincent Orange? Well, LL has a few more for you to inspect: “First, let’s look at six money orders from Thompson’s various LLCs.  The money orders were bought in batches at two Western Union agents just minutes apart, around 7 p.m. on March 10, 2011. The signatures on the money orders looks identical to Thompson’s signature on other city records.” But wait, there’s more!

After Scandal Tangherlini Swapped At General Services Administration: This may sound boring, but it’s actually pretty important. The former head of the federal General Services Administration—an agency that does a lot of business with the District—was booted for overspending (stuff like bringing a mindreader to a training conference in Las Vegas). So now Dan Tangherlini, D.C.’s former city administrator whom President Barack Obama put in a position at the Treasury is in charge of the GSA‘s Public Buildings Service. Lydia DePillis explains why this could be a very good thing for the city: “Agencies in turmoil are never that great to do business with—and D.C. does a lot of business with GSA—but you couldn’t ask for a better guy for the job, from the District’s perspective. The data-driven Tangherlini was former Mayor Adrian Fenty‘s brain, in a lot of ways (he was the one who hired Planning Director Harriet Tregoning) and understands what the District needs from its federal overlords.”

You Call That An Artini? Enter Y&H’s Less Fancy Contest: Chris Shott is calling all cocktail crafters (or thrower-togetherers) for a art-inspired cocktail contest. “Maybe you’re inspired by, say, that ubiquitous portrait of actor Jonathan Goldsmith—you know, the “most interesting man in the world” from the Dos Equis commercials—which you see hanging on the wall at Wisdom, Grand Central and other bars around town. You could call it the ‘Stay Thirstini.’ Maybe it’s a glorified Michelada incorporating Goldsmith’s professed favorite brand of suds.  Maybe it’s something entirely less cheesy. Eric Holzherr, winner of the 2009 Artini contest and City Paper readers’runner-up for “Best Mixologist 2012,” has agreed to judge the submissions. He’ll pick the best one and feature it for a limited time on the menu at his cocktail-centric H Street boîte, Fruit Bat. The winner also receives a $100 tab at the Bat, or one of Holzherr’s other spots, Wisdom and Church & State (your pick).”

What’s A Native Washingtonian?: With Census data showing that most new arrivals to the city aren’t from anywhere near here, is there room for, say, a Suitland resident, to claim Native Washingtonian status?

Chilean Sea Blobs In D.C. What In The Hell? Ashley Dejean talks to author Theodore Carter about his art project / publicity stunt for his new book The Life Story of a Chilean Sea Blob and Other Matters of Importance. The book, he says, “is about the anticipation of something wonderful becoming something mundane. I think a lot of the stories have to do with the fantastic or the anticipation of the fantastic and our fascination with it.”

Why D.C. Needs To Do Something With Their Archives: They are too small and cost too much money currently.

ABOVE THE CLOUDS PHOTO OF THE DAY: Arriving, Baltimore

OF NOTE: Go vote today! Take our handy endorsement explanation sheet with you.

LINKDUMP AFTER THE JUMP!

LOOSE LIPS DAILY POLITICS LINKS, by Alan Suderman (tips? lips@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • It’s voting day! [DCBOEE]
  • Just how low will the turnout be? [Times]
  • Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry and Mayor Vince Gray exchange words over budget meeting. [Fox5] (You should really watch this.)
  • Weird picture but nice article on the unbribeable Leon Swain and the stresses involved with working undercover for the FBI.  [Post]
  • Nate Bennett-Fleming has earned this star turn. [Post]
  • Jeff Thompson‘s donor network gave big in Maryland, too. [Times]
  • Feds at GSA show they can waste public money with the best of them. [Post]
  • Ward 8 Council candidate Natalie Williams sued over child abuse? She says no. [WTOP, CHOTR]
  • Former DDOT boss, ex-City Administrator Dan Tangerlini‘s promotion is good for D.C. [HC]
  • Dozens of city employees knowingly committed fraud with unemployment scam, says DOES boss. [Examiner]
  • This Republican dude looks a little shady. [Post]
  • Barry predicts victory. [WUSA9]

REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT LINKS, by Housing Complex blogger Lydia DePillis (tips? housingcomplex@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Question remains after GSA scandal: What happened here? [Post]
  • “Contracting community” not sure what to think. [WBJ]
  • Tree cozy! [PoP]
  • Hine in 3D. [EMMCA]
  • Buildings on blocks. [DCMud]
  • Relief for renters? [Urbanturf]
  • American University wins. [CityDesk]
  • Capitol Hemp shutters. [DCist]
  • This year’s best main streets. [PreservatioNation]
  • The church behind the #HStEaster egg. [FrozenTropics]
  • Can D.C.’s 24-hour canaries survive in this coal mine? [Post]
  • 219-year-old house for sale. [Urbanturf]
  • We’re not even the most expensive area, on average. [DCentric]
  • Community Three picks a spot in Shaw. [EastShawDC]
  • Jemal’s Babes heads to the Zoning Commission. [DCMud]
  • Today on the market: Spectacular new construction.

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

  • Buzz Lightyear to the National Air and Space Museum. [Post]
  • The Commission on the Arts and Humanities announces its Arts Impact grants, and there are some surprises. [DCist]
  • Savage U, Dan Savage‘s new college-geared sex advice show, premieres tonight. The first episode is taped at the University of Maryland, where students supposedly screw each other in the library stacks. [Post]
  • All Our Noise gets a nifty redesign. [All Our Noise]
  • If you’re into this kind of thing, you should register for District Karaoke now. [Farraguter]

FOOD LINKS, by Young & Hungry columnist Chris Shott (tips? hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Check out The Oval Room‘s pretzel and beer pasta, among other suds-soaked dishes around town. [Express Night Out]
  • Shaw’s Eagle Restaurant is re-branded as Northern Restaurant but keeps its Ethiopian theme. [Prince of Petworth]
  • Feast your eyes on Zaytinya‘s Easter menu [BYT]
  • Try the lamb ragù tagliatelle and Montana-made absinthe at Maple, opening tonight. [Urban Daddy]
  • More details on La Forchetta [Washingtonian]
  • More love for Mintwood Place [Modern Luxury]
  • Tickets to annual craft beer fest Savor go on sale Thursday. [Post]