Skating into a more wintery city plaza — SF Civic Center Plaza adds winter wonderland

Summary: For decades, City Hall politicians have struggled to make the grand plaza just outside their front door a place to linger and enjoy rather than one people rush through, clutching their belongings tighter and quickening their pace. Finally, Civic Center Plaza has come to life, and people actually want to be there. The key? A surreal mix of attractions that, like San Francisco itself, screams weird, whimsical and just plain fun.