New Year’s Eve Dinner

Has it really been 10 years ago since Y2K? Remember how scared we were that computers everywhere would fail? The frantic stockpiling of provisions and ammunition in the face of the imminent collapse? No? OK, maybe that was just us. Anyhoo, what's your plans for this New Year's Eve, the end of the Aughts? Scribbling resolution lists on the back of a cocktail napkin? Drinking away the memory of the 9/11, the second Bush Adminstration, the resulting rollback of civil liberties,…

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Post-Xmas Sales

Happy Boxing Day, everyone! We imagine there are a bunch of sales kicking in, for those of you who decided to really put off your holiday shopping. Comics Dungeon (250 NE 45th St), for example, is having a big one (60% off back issue, 40% off hardcover books, 2 toys gets a third of equal or lesser value for free, Silver Age backstock 50% off, etc.) Anything else going on? We're happy to post a round-up if enough folks send 'em…

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Helene Gabel Ryan – 1918 – 2009

Paul Dorpat let us know that Wallingford mourns the passing of a long-time resident, community activist, bicyclist and writer, Helene Gabel Ryan, and forwarded along this obituary written by friend and public historian Gerald Elfendahl. Helene Gabel Ryan, 91, writer, activist and bicyclist died Tues., Dec. 15 surrounded by the love of her family. Born May 20, 1918, in Everett, WA, to Frank and Mabel Anthes Gabel, the family moved to Seattle in 1924. Helene attended Leschi Elementary School developing a…

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Santa spotted on QFC Roof

News Flash! Santa spotted on roof of QFC, taking a break from his world travels to renew iconic sign. Here's a look at the old man hard at work: Kelley, who shot the photos above, says: Go tell it on the mountain, that the Wallingford sign is returning to the roof of QFC, letter by letter! What a great gift this Christmas Eve morning: we went to QFC for butter and diced green chiles, but in addition got a front row…

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GFORD!

The re-erection of the iconic Wallingford sign took a break with only "RD" complete yesterday, but they're back at it today, John reports. One of the roof workers is dressed as Santa (or, perhaps...) Kristin Maas, Public Affairs Director for QFC, adds: We are so happy that the letters are going up, because that means we are getting closer to completion.  It’s still a little too early to have a confirmed date, but we are about 6-7 weeks out, if everything…

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Wallingford mojo is back!

This just in: the emblematic W A L L I N G F O R D sign that rests on top of the QFC at the top of Wallingford Ave is back! It ain't Iwo Jima, but it's a beautiful site. Wallingford, we've got our mojo back! We also hear that the Starbucks-powered coffee shop that QFC is opening on their second floor is now open for business, though only in the evenings so far. (Thanks to Dan for the tip…

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