Photo by Pak Gwei

Writing the Morning Roundup is always something of a pleasure, because I know that I’ll be the first one to get some of our legendary commenters riled up. (After the lost-dog post earlier this week, though, I don’t know how much more riled up they could get.) But today is a federal holiday and the start of a long and glorious weekend, and even some of our more prolific comment scribes may be taking some time to spend with the family, pay some bills or bathe. Which means I can say anything without consequence. All you Real World haters should lay off. I actually like the D.C. cupcake fad. The idea of 24-hour Metro is ridiculous. Heller’s Bakery in Mt. Pleasant needs to make something good that’s not bagels and donuts. Radiohead is just an OK band. Wonderland is still a pretty fun neighborhood bar. What you got, commenters? Have a great Fourth of July, everyone.

Fenty Not Looking So Hot These Days: The Post reports that Mayor Adrian Fenty’s once bright start isn’t shining as much nowadays, having been dulled by a number of missteps and mini-crises that have provoked residents to wonder whether he’s still in touch with voter needs and concerns. On top of persistent fights with the D.C. Council and is secret trip to the United Arab Emirates, various residents have expressed frustration with Fenty’s handling of the deadly Metro crash that left nine people dead. Fenty is up for re-election in 2010; no serious contender has yet stepped up to the plate to challenge him.

Awkward Walk-Back for Post Publisher on Salons: Yesterday wasn’t what one would call a banner day for the city’s paper of record. First former Post reporter and current Politico scribe Mike Allen broke the story of a flyer circulated at the paper advertising salon-style gathering at publisher Katharine Weymouth’s house where anyone paying $25,000 to $250,000 could discuss the issues of the day with reporters, editors, members of Congress and Obama administration officials. By the end of the day, Weymouth had canceled the gatherings and issued a public apology for an event that seemed to be selling access to the highest bidder, a big no-no for newspapers trying to remain objective. The Post’s Howard Kurtz has something on the scandal today; Politico follows up with a story of its own.

Briefly Noted: Maryland looks to crack down on cellphone use in state prisons … D.C. officials to crack down on Fourth of July tradition — the impromptu street fireworks shows … How did we miss a hamburger-eating contest in the District?

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2008 we learned that journalist and friend Brian Beutler had been shot in Adams Morgan and we read a hilarious press release from Council Chair Vincent Gray. In 2007 we got a whiff of the “Corpse Plant” at the U.S. Botanical Garden.