(Wallyhood welcomes Julie Martin, the first of a stream of new writers you'll be meeting in the coming weeks.) At night, the bright blaze of the Guild 45th marquee can make you feel like you’re standing in the middle of downtown, instead of the center of little Wallingford. As a teenager growing up in the neighborhood, it was especially great to have such a majestic movie house in walking distance. My best friend and I lived on opposite sides 45th and…
The western portion of the United States gets screwed by our current presidential primary and caucus system. The only state west of the Rockies that votes before March 22 for their party’s representative as Leader of the Free World™ is Nevada, which means a geographic third of the country is represented in the most crucial period of presidential politics by a state founded on brothels and blackjack. But you finally have a vote. This Saturday at 10:00am (arrive early if you…
Interested in meeting your Washington State Representative (and candidate to be your United States House Representative), Brady Walkinshaw? Jessica Trupin is hosting a meet and greet at her home here in Wallingford this Saturday, March 19th, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM.
On March 6, I attended the Seattle Sounders opening match. After a disappointing 1-0 loss, 40,000 fans poured out of CenturyLink Field and filled the streets of Pioneer Square. For 20 minutes I waited for the route 26 or 512 to take me home to east Wallingford, but neither bus appeared. Just as well. Cars were at a standstill, my bus would’ve inched along Fourth Avenue to a gridlocked Third or I-5, stuck in Seattle’s worsening traffic. So I gave up…
Both Mrs. Wallyhood and I work at home, so I was in my living room this morning when she called down to me "someone's on the porch." "How exciting," I thought. "A package has arrived. I love packages!" When I opened the door, though, and looked left and right, there was no package, just a young man walking down the steps away from the house. I called to him, and when he turned around, I saw he was holding a basketball that…
Hot on the heels of the news that Wide World Books & Maps might close, J.W. Marshall, owner of Open Books: A Poetry Emporium (2414 North 45th St), has announced his intention to sell or close the 45th Street literary nook: Dear Friends of Open Books, It is with mixed feelings that I tell you I will retire from bookstore ownership sometime this year. This spring will mark the 21st anniversary of Open Books as a poetry-only bookstore, as well as mark…
When I first folded Wallyhood, I received a few emails from people who offered to take it over. I was worried about what it would become, and demurred, but in retrospect, I think that was selfish. As I've been talking to people in the neighborhood, I've come upon all sorts of stories that really ought to be shared. The recent string of arsons, for example, and the subsequent arrest of the (alleged) culprit. And more that I didn't post: Wide World…