neighborhoods

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Zero Hunger Mural

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Completed earlier this summer, this 12 storey tall mural in downtown DC's eastern end is one in a series to address the issue of global hunger.

Lola Goce is a Spanish artist with works all over the world. Goce completed this mural weeks ago to aid in bringing awareness to the issue of global hunger under the asupices of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Zero Hunger is also theme of the WFP intiiative. 

In the DC mural, Goce was inspired by women who provide food to their families & communities, especially women who are food entrepreneurs and farmers. 

The canvas is very unique but utilitarian structure: an air vent shaft for the underground portion of interstate 395 which runs in a tunnel beneath 3rd Street NW.

Additional murals are already or will be painted in Houston, Oakland, Battle Creek MI, New Orleans, and New York. The DC mural is located at the corner of 3rd and H Streets NW. 

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Exhibition Spotlight: Block by Block

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I *loved* with this tiny exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery on the origin of DC street names. The material only touches on a few streets, but I appreciated the bits of history covered.

At just about 1,000 square feet, it won't take long to see the entirety of the exhibition, but for DC area residents, it is pretty neat learning about the people behind the names of streets we live, work, and play on. For example, the exhibition includes Gales Street NE, a narrow, ginkgo tree lined side street not far from my home neighborhood of Carver Langston. For the first time I learned about its namesake, Joseph Gales, Jr. Gales was a journalist & one time mayor of DC in mid 1800s.

Other historical figures featured are Benjamin Banneker (Banneker Circle SW), Otis Howard (Howard Pl NW), and Clara Barton (Clara Barton Parkway). Block by Block: Naming Washington is located on the second floor on the F Street side of the building. Open though January 2023.

Top 5: Ice Skating Rinks in DC

Ice rink at the Wharf in southwest DC.

Earlier this summer roller skating was all the buzz in DC with two high profile rollerskating events, one in Penn Quarter and another go-go themed skate at the Anacostia Park rink.

The skating doesn't stop in the winter, however. DC has become home to some great ice skating options over the years, from permanent indoor facilities to some newer outdoor rinks in popular shopping areas. Here are the Top 5 skating options in the city. Please check each site for pricing, ticketing, and open hours.

1. Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art. If you've ever been to NGA on a Friday evening in the summer, you know this circular fountain in the garden is home to Jazz in the Garden, an almost too popular jazz night. But in the winter, the fountain is transformed into an ice rink. With the beautiful backdrop of the National Archives building across the street, and set amongst modern art pieces, the Sculpture Garden ice rink has become the go-to winter activity on the National Mall. 7th Street NW and Constitution Ave. Open until March 6, 2022.

The Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art hosts an ice rink with a great backdrop, then National Archives.

2. Canal Park Rink. Capital Riverfront, Navy Yard, Ballpark Area; whatever you want to call this neighborhood, it's one of DC's fastest growing as far as population. The amenities keep multiplying and the Canal Park Ice Rink has been a newer, but consistent staple. The figure-eight shape of the track is curious, but makes for a more unique expreince than the typical circular or oval tracks. After a skate, you can stroll down to the riverfront and walk the Anacostia River. 200 M Street SE. Open through February.

3. Washington Harbor Rink. Georgetown is the home of Washington Harbor, which is don on K Street NW. I just called this area the waterfront. But this collection of housing, offices, retail, and restaurants in a cluster of early 1980s postmodern buildings also hosts the yearly Georgetown Ice Rink. This is probably the most popular of the commercial rinks in DC and has the most neighborhood amenities nearby with shopping, food, sightseeing, and more to do before and after. 3000 K Street NW. Open through March 13, 2022.

4. Wharf Ice Rink. The newest addition to the DC ice skating scene is the Wharf Rink. Located directly adjacent to the water (the Washington Channel), this rink is actually linked directly to the Georgetown Rink by the Potomac Water Taxi. The Wharf is a pedestrian friendly area with restaurants, shopping, and music so there is plenty to do after your rims on the ice. 970 Wharf Street SW. Open through February 2022.

5. Fort Dupont Ice Arena. As the only indoor rink on this list, Fort Dupont is mostly known for skating lessons, club ice hockey games, and other structured programming. However, they do offer public skating sessions throughout the week and of course, it's covered, so weather is never a factor. Years ago I ran a summer camp in nearby Kimball Elementary and the ice arena was a favored afternoon activity during DC's hot summer afternoons. 3779 Ely Place SE. Open year-round.