Photo by Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie

Good morning, Washington. Bear with us while we get our motors running today. We’ll have some photographic evidence of last night’s DCist 5th anniversary party up soon as proof why it’s a little slow going around these parts just yet. Hopefully the rest of you didn’t fall victim to health-care speech related drinking games, or we’re going to have a heck of day all together. It does seem, at least, that we’re probably not having as bad a morning as Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

Fenty Approves Future Tenleytown Library Addition: The long fight over the possibility of including higher density, mixed-use development into the plans for the new Tenley-Friendship Library is back in the news this morning. The Examiner reports that D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty has given the go ahead to adding structural supports to the library that would allow for residential development to be built on top of the branch. The usual suspects are miffed, and Ward 3 D.C. Council member Mary Cheh looks to have had a busy evening talking to reporters (see also below): “Without the supports, Cheh said, the city would foreclose any opportunities for development above the library — including perhaps a floor dedicated to community or recreational space.”

Cleveland Park Business Bust Gets WaPo Attention: The Post finally takes a look at what the heck is happening in Cleveland Park, where local and chain businesses alike are dropping like flies. We’ve been writing about this for a while. So what’s to blame? Could it be the alcohol sales moratorium? “Many Cleveland Park residents and business owners say the biggest factor behind the empty storefronts is a 20-year-old zoning rule limiting neighborhood restaurants and bars, which many say they think is being enforced too strictly. After all, most businesses in other parking-starved areas, such as Dupont Circle and Georgetown, appear — so far, at least — to be weathering the economic downturn. In Cleveland Park, 11 of 64 storefronts are vacant.”

Briefly Noted: Two people shot at Benning Park Recreation Center in Southeast … McDonnell maintains lead as candidates start sprint to Nov. 3 … Howard student protesters still not totally happy … Prince George’s County restricts adult book and video stores … Firms volunteer to help clean up National Mall … Amtrak conducts major security exercise at Union Station.