These last weeks, we’ve enjoyed watching as a flock of birds (black, flecked with iridescence, long narrow beaks: anyone know what they are?) have been grabbing grapes from our arbor, carrying them to our neighbor’s rooftop, then pecking at them madly as they roll down the pitched slope, bouncing off the gutter and hurtling to the ground (the grapes, that is…the birds are more about flying than hurtling).

That bird-watching has given us time to notice the high quality gutter our neighbor has, complete with a mesh covering to keep the leaves, branches and detritus from building up. Truth is, we’ve got a bit of gutter envy.

If your gutters are like ours, chock-full of a brownish paste of rotting leaves and sticks, then you might appreciate the introduction to Wallyhood’s newest sponsor, Debris Free Seattle. Owned and operated by Wallingford resident Brian Frankowski, Debris Free Seattle will get up there where you can’t. In Brian’s words:

I am a Wallingford resident, I love the neighborhood, and am excited to get some new customers in my own backyard. I am really pushing gutter cleaning for the next few months. It’s that time of year, and properly functioning gutters protect your roof, siding, foundation, and your home in general by facilitating proper water drainage. That is why it is so important to get them cleaned now before the rainy season really sets in.

Debris Free Seattle is licensed and insured and can be reached at 206-307-7844. Best of all, he’s offering a $25 discount on gutter cleaning if you mention you saw him on Wallyhood (through 12/31/09).