Ever curious about that bright blue building on Fenwick Street NE in Ivy City? Well City Paper’s Laura Hayes was, and learned it’s home to wood-fired pizza and charcoal chicken. 

THE NEWS: 

Next time you’re on 14th and U streets NW, might I recommend looking up. When you do, you’ll see a mailman leaning against a wall and playing his saxophone. It’s hard to miss given that he’s nine stories tall. 

The 70-foot-tall portrait of local jazz legend Buck Hill is on the side of a luxury apartment building. Tucson, Arizona-based artist Joe Pagac has brought you D.C.’s newest and tallest mural, which is one of six new installations by MuralsDC, a city project created in 2007 intended to tell a “unique story of DC’s diverse neighborhoods while deterring further illegal graffiti.” 

The story of Roger W. “Buck” Hill is plentiful. 

Affectionately known as “The Wailin’ Mailman,” Hill was born in Northeast but his reputation exceeded the District. He began playing the saxophone at 13 and then, at 16, played gigs with Jimmy Cobb, the drummer on Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue. In the 1950s, Hill was a member of Charlie Byrd’s band, and played at spots like the Showboat Lounge on 18th Street NW (what’s now Songbyrd). All the while, he was a mail carrier with the Postal Service. Hill lived to be 90; read City Paper’s 2017 obituary for him.      

Also City Paper is hosting a happy hour on Sept. 12 to celebrate the “You Are So D.C. If…” winners. (Here’s how to participate in the contest.) Register beforehand and the first beer is on us! —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • Police reported dangerous conditions months before fatal fire at rowhouse where 9-year-old Yafet Solomon and 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede were killed. But D.C. inspectors failed to act. Solomon’s teachers started a GoFundMe for the family. [Post] 

  • Why bedbugs went viral yesterday? [DCist]

  • Schools recognize nonbinary students. [WAMU]

  • Street Sense is encouraging an open dialogue after NoMa Business Improvement District complained about the homeless encampments. [Facebook]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Loose Lips is away from his desk today.

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Try this egg sandwich at Piccolina next time you have a weekday hangover. [WCP]

  • What to expect at D.C. proper’s first tabletop Korean barbecue restaurant. [Washingtonian]

  • A bartender is suing José Andrés and New York’s Mercado Little Spain alleging wage violations. [Post]

  • Introducing a croissant and pretzel hybrid available at The Cup We All Race 4. [DCist]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Here’s 13 upcoming local concerts to enjoy. [DCist]

  • This self-care retreat at the Willard InterContinental Hotel will feature local goodies from women-owned businesses. [Washingtonian]

  • Tourists were out in full force in D.C. last year—but foreign visitors declined. [Post]

  • What exactly is the underground arts scene? [Kojo Nnamdi Show]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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