On our way to the Densmore Working Group meeting last night, a new mural set next to the Wallingford Art Walk robot, on the side of Bottleworks on 45th St and across the parking lot from Key Bank, caught our eye: As luck would have it, Carlos Aguilar, the artist, was just dusting on a few last shots of spraypaint and wrapping up for the day. He told us he got turned on to the project by a guy from a "graffiti…
This past summer, I spent too much time browsing the boards on Pinterest, and subsequently developed an infatuation for Little Free Libraries. The brainchild of a man in Wisconsin who built the first one as a tribute to his late mother (a librarian), the concept has been spreading like wildfire. By July, there were enough local LFLs to merit a write-up in the Seattle Times. At the time of that article, no LFLs were recorded in Wallingford. I wanted to do…
Back in late October, our neighbors Becca and Tobin remarked to us that, after some consideration, extended contemplation and no large amount of haste, they had decided not to take down their 2011 Christmas lights, feeling that at that stage of the game, the effort might not be worth value. We cheered the decision. Christmas trees, however, are a different kettle of fish. Should you be wondering what to do with yours, the city of Seattle has your answer: City residents…
On Christmas, I mentioned that my resolution for the coming year was to combat gun violence. Jessica responded and let us know that a group from Wallingford and beyond has started a group to do just that: Last Sunday I volunteered my living room for a meeting of people who wanted to “do something”. Next Sunday, the 30th, will be the meeting wherein we decide what to do. I started a Facebook group (it’s called the Densmore Working Group) for folks…
One of my regular running routes from Wallingford to Green Lake is along Wallingford Avenue. It's an easy mile from here to there and the street is, for the most part, pretty quiet with roundabouts aplenty above N. 50th St. Over the years, I've seen houses for sale, houses under renovation, and houses painted and repainted. But what I'm most impressed about this stretch of Wallingford is that it's very neighborly. During the warmer months, it's not uncommon to see neighbors…
A couple weeks back, Andrea wrote: I stopped in at Starbuck's on 45th this morning and asked the staff worker if they were moving to the old Tully's spot. He said, 'No we lost out. They picked someone else." When I asked who, he said it was CVS the pharmacy. I grumbled and said, that will make 4 pharmacies in Wallingford. Not sure if you were already aware, but a stop in to SB could confirm for you if you like. I shared…
As an atheist, anti-consumerist Jew, I've generally felt that Christmas isn't "my holiday". I feel a little different this year. I know that New Year's is usually the "resolution" holiday, but honestly, it seems to me that if you're going to pick a day to model your year after, it should be one built around family and giving instead of booze and hollering (as fond as I am of all four). The rolling toll of gun-fueled violence this past year in our…