Monthly Archives: October 2010

Michelle Quesada, Neighborhood Architect

If there's one thing you'll learn from reading the comments and stories here on Wallyhood, it's that Wallingford folks feel strongly about architecture. That's why it's such a pleasure to welcome Michelle Quesada as our newest Wallyhood sponsor. Michelle has lived in Wallingford for over twenty years, first in Tangletown (which, yes, we insist is Wallingford, Green Lake expansionism notwithstanding) and now down on 43rd, raising three children along the way (if you hear a rock band practicing in a garage…

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Wallyhood’s Pumpkin Carving Contest

Last year, a neighbor's teenage son from up the street made the coolest Mario Jack-o'-lantern I'd ever seen; and the more I looked around while trick or treating with the kids, the more super awesomely cool pumpkin carvings I saw.  We've definitely got some talented folk here in Wallingford. And now we'd like to put your pumpkin carving skills to the test with our first annual Wallyhood Pumpkin Carving Contest.  Our good friends over at Archie McPhee have put together some…

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Wallingford Historical Photos

Last week, Paul Dorpat issued a challenge: he had several pictures taken down near Gas Works in Wallingford from near the the turn of the century (no, not this turn of the century, last turn of the century), and wanted to see if readers could figure out exactly where they were taken. The prizes: copies of Paul's book and jars of honey from Wallyhood's own backyard bee hives. We've had some great and well thought out suggestions (including, as we had…

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Saunter Down Sunnyside

Stella's owner says she's been trained to hang out around their yard on a leash since she was a kitten. I like the juxtaposition of the minivan and the one-person electric vehicle. This tree has the presence of a mythical being. I'm sure there's a story behind this. September means spiders, spiders everywhere. (Disclaimer: final 2 spiders were taken on different days, and not on Sunnyside Ave. N.).

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Happy National Coming Out Day, Wallingford

Happy National Coming Out Day, Wallingford. As has been my habit since I began the coming out process in Texas back in 1992, I took stock of my relationships this week to identify who I might come out to today.  But there's a problem.  For the first time, there is no one to come out to.  Not one soul. Well, okay.  In the interest of complete honesty there IS one person I could come out to, but I have decided it's…

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Do-Se-Do

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Coming of age in the late '80's, we were always confused about "Contra Dancing". What did this particular form of dance and music have to do with Oliver North and Nicaraguan rebels? We had a vague image in our head of the clean-cut, corrupt Marine Colonel do-se-doing Che Guevara, but knew that somehow was wrong. Now, of course, we know that the phrase comes from the French contredanse (court dance), and, while Marines and Latin American rebels are not banned from…

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Wonders on Woodlawn

These look way bigger lying along the ground than standing up. A sighting of the rare, endangered domestic Garden Gnome. Wee, wee apple tree bowed down with fruit. The lushest, greenest, most perfect lawn in the whole neighborhood.  My own comes to mind with sadness.

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