It’s hard for anyone in D.C. to think of much besides the government shutdown, with the hardships and uncertainties it causes individuals and the damage to the local economy.
But in the few days before the shutdown started, we saw some exciting and moving things.
Fiesta DC
Fiesta DC celebrates Latino culture in the local area, with a parade down Constitution Avenue and a festival on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Trail of Truth
The Trail of Truth installed a one-day memorial on the Mall to memorialize those lost to substance abuse.
Constitution on view
The National Archives, for the first time ever, put the entire Constitution on view for a couple of weeks, in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. (It was scheduled to be on view through October 9th, but the Archives is closed during the shutdown).
District residents couldn’t vote for President until this 1960 resolution became the 23rd Amendment.
The Trump-Epstein statue
The statue of Trump and Epstein holding hands, titled “Best Friends Forever,” was on the Mall last week for a day – it had a Park Service permit for a few days, but then the Park Service said it was in violation of the permit and took it away. By surprise, it reappeared yesterday, apparently with a new Park Service permit, and we were lucky to get to see it this time.
Dance for All
Dance for All is a free program from the Washington Ballet. Last weekend they performed in the courtyard of CityCenterDC.
Nature
Butterflies and flowers have not yet died off.
The smelly ginkgo leaves have started to fall.
In a rare sighting at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, a red phalarope has been hanging out recently. It appears healthy but is way off the normal migratory path.
Lantern flies are everywhere, including on the window at the top of the Washington Monument.
National Guard
The National Guard is still here, most often seen at Union Station, monuments and memorials, and inside Metro stations.
