Seattle Daily Photo

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Gates Foundation Visitor Center Opens

Today the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center will open its doors to the public, giving a window on the Foundation's projects around the world. From the street you will see lighted lettering on the visitor's center which shines out the credo,"Every Person Deserves the Chance to Live a Healthy, Productive Life." On Wednesday evening I was on campus taking photos when the Foundation kicked off it's Visitor Center opening celebration with a large gathering, including President Jimmy Carter, whose Carter Center has been successfully working to eradicate common preventable diseases and parasites in the third world for the past 30 years. The gala was well attended and the campus was lighted up gloriously (the building pictured is not the Visitors Center but is the southwest elevation of the Atrium located at the back of the northern most boomerang-shaped building of the large campus. It is across a courtyard from and behind the street-front Visitors Center). Do go visit when you get the chance. The work going on here is strategic, important, and will have an amazing impact for good in people's lives all over the planet. As you can see from the reflection in the glass of the lobby where guests were being received, the Gates Foundation campus is located just across the street from Seattle Center and the Space Needle.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Noodling the Needle

Shot through the red noodley sculpture (Olympic Iliad by Alexander Liberman, installed 1984) near the entrance to the Space Needle at sundown on a chilly but sunny first of February. This is another in the series of playing peek a boo with the Needle. Being one of the most photographed structures in the world can be a bit ho hum, so I try to get glimpses not so common of the Needle peeking at me over, through and around things. Still, I think there is hardly an original idea to be found for the now 50 year old icon. "Make it new, make it new," cried the parrot to the mocking bird."

Friday, January 27, 2012

Gluten Free, Vegan Bakery Cafe

If you are looking for a local business striving to do work in an open manner that benefits its customers and community, is committed to sustainability, and wants to create a niche where everyone can eat without worry of dietary restrictions, look no further. The Flying Apron Bakery Cafe is a haven for those who are vegan or must avoid gluten and wheat products. Their bakery goods are their claim to fame, but they also serve soups and salads. For many they are an oasis of safe, wholesome eating. There are so many folks who need places like this in their lives. Many of you may be familiar with Seattle's own Gluten Free Girl who has blogged for many years, raised awareness of the need for widely available gluten free products, and has published a run-away best seller. She's taking a little rest from blogging starting this month, but I understand a new cookbook is due out very soon.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Epicenter of the Universe

The Fremont neighborhood's slogan is that it is "The Center of the Universe." It is printed on signs as one enters the free-spirited and art-filled district. The Epi Apartments (as in epicenter) is in the heart of the neighborhood. The free flowing metal sculpture that engulfs the corner tower was pretty sparkly in the sunset light. This is part of the view Rapunzel has from her own tower on the Fremont bridge :-).

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rapunzel in Her Lonely Tower

She's not looking too pleased with the prospect of the two possible suitors ignoring her as they pass by below, but you'd expect a bit of a cranky attitude from someone whose been up in the west tower of the Fremont Bridge for so many years. She is one of two neon figures from children's stories (the other is from How the Elephant Got His Trunk) that grace the windows of the two towers. A little friend of mine who just turned four last weekend was so excited to share with me that her birthday cake was to feature Rapunzel, I just had to go over to the bridge to nab this shot for her to see. It was my fave fairy tale from my Brothers Grimm collection when I was small, too. I showed you an earlier photo I took of this whimsical urban art by neon artist Rodman Miller before here in 2007. It was removed for awhile for repairs and then reinstalled. You'll notice the video camera has been moved, too.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

35th Street Bistro Where Still Life Used To Be

As mentioned yesterday, the Still Life Coffee House closed a few years ago, and this upscale bistro took its place. It was looking mighty warm and cozy when I walked by in 32 F chill :-). As you can see from the little sign to the far left, they serve Lighthouse Coffee from a delightful local roaster in the neighborhood.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Still Life Coffee House Mural

Painted by Seattle artist Parris in 1994. The coffee house is long gone, only the mural remains to inform the interested. The Still Life was once a hub of community life for the neighborhood at 35th and Fremont. I have a friend that when we were in town for a conference tried to take me there because she had loved it so much from previous visits. Sadly we couldn't find it. But tomorrow I'll show you what is there. This mural serves as a place marker in space and time, an ode to a fine much missed establishment.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

All Gone Now

The big melt came with warmer temps and rain, allowing us once again to see the art so often underfoot as we go about Seattle's streets. I took this shot on the whimsically tiled patio of a Fremont eatery whose sign was reflected in the puddle. Here's a shot from the same patio in 2006, the first year of SDP, taken during morning hours.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Wheeeeee Redux

A repeat classic shot for you to say Happy 5th Birthday to SAM Olympic Sculpture Park. Here's a little blast from the past. I took these shots a couple weeks before the grand opening in 2007. Seattlites have not stopped enjoying this wonderful venue for one second since they took the fences down to let the public in. It's a treasure. Big doings today to celebrate. Drop by to make an artful birthday hat and try some lovely caramels and cake!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Gearing Up For Indoor Adventures

Here's a little slice of life shot for ya. Seattlites were out in force on Tuesday evening, doing some early marketing and laying in groceries for the coming snow days. What an abundance of winter color the fruits and veggies offer at this PCC Natural Market, one of Seattle's successful longtime cooperative ventures.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Snow Day Hero, Our Jolly Postman

We've always had the best mail carrier in Seattle, and today he was out there trudging through the wet powder and cold temps just as cheerfully and efficiently as any other kind of day he usually encounters. No snow day for him."Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Thanks Mr. Postman! I ventured out in snow boots with the camera and caught some of the snow day fun folks were having on the hilly streets. Adults and children all in happy spirits.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Path Through the Water

These women were out on the water when the air was 34 F. It had snowed in the morning, but not stuck to the ground near the ship canal. They are heading under the Fremont Bridge and out onto Lake Union and to Portage Bay beyond. Rowing is a hugely popular activity in Seattle, with many private and school affiliated clubs dotting the shores of our waterways. The shells glide by swiftly, gracefully and nearly soundlessly.

Welcome!

I've been publishing Seattle Daily Photo since 2006. I hope you will find images you enjoy from my photowalks through Seattle's many neighborhoods. Please add your comments, and thanks for stopping by! You can also visit More Seattle Stuff where I post extra bits you might enjoy, and Other Visions where shots can run free.

All Photos & Text © 2006-2012 ~ Kim, Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved. Just look, don't borrow :-). No personal use, downloads, alteration or commercial use, reproduction or republishing in any media without my prior written consent.