Seattle Daily Photo: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

Post Alley Fashionista

I thought this woman to be a striking contrast to her surroundings. Seattle, like most large cities, has a very active street art community, and there is a cadre of photographers who are chronicling it wherever it appears throughout the city. This Post Alley wall is a fave place for instant street art installations of all kinds. Things change up pretty quickly, and it's always worth scanning to see what's up. Above her hat I see work by Narboo and Starheadboy, and way up high a giant foot sticker. You'll see this wall featured briefly in a new Jennifer Aniston flick called "Love Happens." They had the alley and PPMarket pretty tied up for a day when they were here filming last spring, and of course the art has changed since then.

Speaking of art Seattle style, summer is winding down and Seattlites will squeeze every last drop of fun from it with the much loved Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival this coming Labor Day Weekend. I'm not sure I'll be able to make it this year, but I would sure love to hear Modest Mouse, just one of the many headliners performing. Here's a video of theirs I thought was clever in that the band memebers are projected onto walls and signs like street art as they perform. Kinda fun. You can even download Bumbershoot's ginormous multiday schedule as an iPhone application! And for those who can make it down to George, WA, DMB is playing their annual show at the Gorge over the weekend. Hope this is the start to a great last week of summer for you!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

5 Spot Staff

I heard about The 5 Spot even before moving to Seattle when a friend gave us a bon voyage gift certificate to try it. And try it we did, and have gone back regularly over the years. We've also tried most of the other restaurants in the Chow Foods and Seattle Eats families of restaurants, places that are relaxed, love kids, serve up great, ever changing menus, and whose wait staff seem to have just the right touch of friendly, knowledgeable and excellent service. I was having dinner at the counter recently and this woman on staff was passing back and forth in that great light coming through the window. I had an assignment from my photo group to ask people who caught my eye if I could take their portrait, and do so in natural light if possible. Our photo friend Steffe from Haninge Daily Photo is a master of these kinds of encounters after his 100 Strangers project, and his readers have "met" a lot of the cool people he has encountered in his photowalks. I'm amazed at how nice folks are when I do ask them for a shot, but I still rush too much and could get better, more creative captures. It's an amazing experience when you genuinely compliment a stranger on something you notice about them. I've had some extended conversations and learned a lot about some people. I hope I do get better at it as I practice. In this instance I forgot to ask her name and I didn't want to disrupt her too much while she was working. She's a beautiful, hard-working person and a great part of a super staff. Have you met anyone interesting lately? Somehow a camera works as a bridge between people.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Colorful Glass Tilework

This is a section of the first story commercial space of a new condominium high rise. It has just received a bright glossy finish of rectangular glass tiles. I thought this an interesting colorway applied randomly. It is the first time I've noticed glass tile used for an exterior and I'm wondering how the durability will be over the years. Maybe it's tempered glass? For sure window washer will be able to keep the whole facade of the shopfronts bright and shiny. I'll have to go back to this neighborhood some morning and see how interesting these become when the rising sun hits them. Hope you are having a relaxing weekend! We are having a bit of rain. . .perfect for reading a good book and puttering around the house.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Plato's Chairs Take in the View

A ferry heading for Bainbridge Island heads across Elliott Bay, watched by three of the "Caldar Red" distinctive chairs at SAM's Olympic Sculputre Park that everyone here seems to love (judging from the ones I could see on nearby Belltown balconies). The Seattle Art Museum used to sell them through their gift shop, but no more. These aren't really called Plato's chairs, I just called them that for fun in a series of shots I have of them. Their real name is the Cafe Chair, and you can purchase them through Design Within Reach. . .but only in silver. The custom tomato red color that matches Caldar's "Eagle" centerpeice sculpture at the OSP doesn't appear in the catalog. There is an optional custom comfy red chair cushion available, though. I notice that the EMP's cafe uses these in silver in their outdoor seating now. Quite comfy.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Beets Banners for Queen Anne Farmers Market

The Queen Anne Farmer's Market is held from 3-7 PM on Thursdays from June through the first week of October. Wouldn't you know I was in the neighborhood Wednesday. Drat! I was by there last week sans camera, and I thought I would at least show you it's location. This farmers market is now a stand-alone enterprise, no longer affiliated with one of the two farmers market associations that have produced the other Seattle neighborhood locations. I just noticed that QAFM's new location on Crockett Street sports these spiffy banners with an Arts & Crafts era graphic appeal, and there are matching posters in neighborhood shop windows. They were designed by Elizabeth Mullaly. This market was held for the past two years a block or so away at a middle school site, no longer available due to construction. Because of location constraints, this is a smaller market like Wallingford's or the PNA's, and offers cooking demos with chefs, live music, and meet the author events, gourmet fresh street food vendors, farm fresh produce, cheese and other foods from local producers.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

iPhone Wednesday #7: Edith's House is Going "UP"

I passed by Edith Macefield's little house yesterday and noticed it's been gutted and this sign is now stretched across it. I've shown you this house several times before and you may recall the story of the octogenarian who didn't wish to sell her home when a three story development went up all around her--part of the inspiration for the Pixar film "UP"). I stopped and chatted with the construction folks about what project is going on with. They told me Edith's house is literally going up. Three stories in fact, if all goes well with the planned lift for the development of "Credo Square." No, they are not placing it on the roof of the Ballard Blocks complex, but putting two stories underneath it. According to the two guys I spoke with, Edith willed her house to the construction manager who checked in on her every day, took her grocery shopping and to appointments, etc. She had no heirs and wanted the manager to sell it if she died and use the money for his kid's college tuition, and that's what he has done. Edith passed away in her home some months ago before the construction going on all around her was completed. The buyers, Greg and Shauna Pinneo of Reach Returns, are preserving the shell of Edith's house to pay homage to her and all those who admired her tenacity in turning down a million dollars to move from her home and the effect it has had on the community. According to the crew members, there will be an opportunity for people to record the personal creeds they live by on tiles and have them placed in an art installation in Edith's house.
It is my 7th in the iPhone Wednesday series where I take and edit the shot using only the iPhone and apps.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Keeping Your Best Friend Hydrated

This is a water dog of a different sort :-). An owner was making sure her dog had some water, even though she hadn't packed a bowl. If you've walked any of Seattle's neighborhood shopping streets, you know that usually pups don't have far to wander to find some fresh water left for them by a merchant, and maybe a biscuit or two.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Conversation With a View

You can cue up U2's "It's a Beautiful Day" if you'd like. Today in Seattle the sun is high in a cloudless sky, the mountain is out, and a hint of autumn coming is in the air. Students are starting to return to town. Sometimes people don't realize how beautiful they are. I couldn't resist capturing these three friends in gorgeous light as they were chatting, enjoying each other's company and the very fine view from Kerry Park Outlook. I included the park's plaque which gives information on the Kerry family's donation of this property on W Highland Drive and its unobstructed view for the enjoyment of generations to come

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Fishing @ Dawn

Fishermen on the pier at Seacrest Park in West Seattle, greeting a new day while dipping their poles at dawn. A cargo ship makes its way out of Elliott Bay in the distance. The Seattle skyline across Elliott Bay appeals to me at nearly any time of day.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Cloud Cover Clear Day

His bright orange shirt blazed by me and the glass installation at the Olympic Sculpture Park named "Cloud Cover." The sculpture park, one of the Seattle Art Museum's three campuses, is a popular place for evening walkers, runners and cyclists from the nearby Belltown neighborhood's beehive of thriving condo communities. Art on the go in a wonderfully scenic public setting.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Vintage Fire Station 25

Many of Seattle's vintage Fire Stations have a lot of architectural charm. As firefighting has advanced technologically and fire houses aged, these old beauties have been renovated or taken out of service and converted into restaurants, stores, community service centers, and in this one's case, 16 apartments. This is old station #25 on First Hill, where Seneca, Union, and Harvard all converge at this corner. You can see the masonry has been reinforced and the charming windows, eves brackets, tile roof (fire resistant. . .how appropo!) and decorative corner masonry details have all been preserved. This 1908 building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and you can see a full view of the front along Harvard St. "then and now" by clicking here.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Summer Maintenance

I glimpsed a maintenance worker at the Frye Art Museum on First Hill tending to a job in the reflection pool and thought it kind of interesting the way he was off in a small alcove and I couldn't see his head. His arms and legs appeared to be about the same length, and I had never realized that about the proportions of the human body. The clear water looked pretty inviting, especially without waders! The Frye, built in the 1950s, is a free museum that is open to the public and houses Charles and Emma Frye's original collection of over 200 works by Munich, Germany area artists, as well as other works and special exhibits. The museum's emphasis is on public service and interaction, and I have seen many examples of this being carried out in their outreach to local youth and their interactive emphasis. Their special exhibits are thought provoking and well mounted in the gallery spaces. Complete with gift shop and a tasty cafe, always worth a visit when you come to Seattle!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

iPhone Wednesday #6: Cookin' at KISS

It's the sixth in my iPhone Wednesday series, where I take and edit the photo with my iPhone. I played with vignetting and a reflective frame for this shot of a cook in action. This is K.I.S.S. Cafe on NW Market Street, where the owner and her staff "keep it simply scrumptious" in a friendly casual atmosphere. Their motto: "Keep it local. Keep it real. Keep it simple." I feel a little sorry for cooks on these warmer days (although there is a nice breeze with a hint of autumn to it today). This guy was dishing up some really tasty fresh fare while other staff were stocking the coolers with their famous offering of 99 Bottles of Beer (if they don't carry your fave domestic or imported micro brew today, you will probably find it there next time, as they constantly rotate their extensive offerings). It's the kind of place that makes their own pickles and soups from scratch and is happy to host your party, cater it, or just welcome you to the counter for a beer after work.

My fellow CDPBers Chuck and Ming have started posting iPhone shots on Wednesdays, too: Chuck at One a Day - Mostly Seattle, and Ming the Merciless formerly of NYC Dialy Photo, now at Bangor Daily Photo.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Summer on Lake Washington

Today was an absolutely perfect summer day here in Seattle. I had a work meeting, but our boss helped us mix business with pleasure by holding our staff meeting at the home of a member's on Lake Washington. Sitters watched the children while we had a fall planning session, then it was lunch by the dock and enjoying watching the children explore and splash about. Seattle schools don't begin until after Labor Day, so I'm wishing all the kids lots of days like this until then.

Monday, August 17, 2009

We'll Leave the Light on For Ya, But Don't Park Here

This made an odd silhouette as I was coming from a sheltered portion of Post Alley into the light. I realized the sharp spiky things were to keep pigeons from roosting. I had never noticed it before (maybe because I'm short and don't look up enough :-) ). It was fun to see that lamp light against a blue daylight sky. Hope you are having a good Monday!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

They Never Come Off

You can meet artisans of all kinds at the Market. I was intrigued by all her silver bracelets, any one of which was awesome, but taken together the effect was stunning. My personal fave was one featuring a variety of sea mammals. The producer selling from one of the day stalls looked so colorful in her sunburst tie dye shirt that I asked to take this shot isolating her bracelets against that intense color. Now I regret that I didn't chat with her more and ask her name. She told me that she never removes the bracelets, and I was impressed. I did that with a little silver band my dad brought me from a trip to Mexico when I was 7 or 8. I wore it night and day for so long that dad finally had to cut it off with tin snips because my arm had grown and it was tight around my wrist. She is very much enjoying wearing her artful creations.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Sweet Time of Year

A lot of folks have a strategy for dealing with the crowds of summer at the Market: go early in the morning. There is always something new to try. An heirloom tomato, a white nectarine. I have learned to not let my eyes run away with me, but to just get one or two of something to take home and savor. The selection shifts a bit each week as the seasons progress and different offerings are at their prime. Always beautiful to behold and even better to taste something never tried before and discover new favorites. Like other cities, Seattle has a variety of locations of neighborhood farmers markets, some year round, others from around May to October, all with great vendors, beautiful food, and a feeling of community. But, there is just no place quite like Pike Place Public Market, a colorful city favorite for over 100 years.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Skywatch: Local Business Owner's Perspective

The owner of Seattle's popular Cupcake Royale sent me this email yesterday. With all the fearmongering and distortions around healthcare I've heard being disseminated as "talking points" by the strategists and lobbyists in big money's corner of this debate, I thought this local business person's perspective as shared with NBC Nightly News, CNN, and NPR was pretty candid and refreshing. I hope you'll check it out. . .it's brief where I tend to be wordy :-).

Many of you know my family faced the sudden onset of a nasty brain cancer that took my husband's life two years ago. A year and a half before this bad news struck, both of us had left full time employment and its attendant healthcare benefits in order to move to Seattle, return to school full time for 3 to 4 years, and launch into meaningful service work afterward. We each took part time jobs which offered no healthcare benefits, but we didn't risk going uninsured. We had purchased self-pay coverage for $560 per month/ $6720 per year for catastrophic insurance with a local HMO for our family of 3 thinking we'd be back to full time work with healthcare benefits offered by our new employers. Having catastrophic coverage meant we paid in full for all doctor or ER visits, pharmacy, labs, etc., but insurance would start covering hospital costs if catastrophe struck. Well, it did, without warning. Thankfully 90% of the neurosurgery and hospital costs were being picked up by insurance, but pharmacy was not, and chemo is not cheap. The cost worried my husband much more than facing his own mortality. He envisioned leaving us with no means to live on if he had to fight his disease for very long. He thought it a godsend that in his case chemo was for palliative measures with no hope for cure. What a thought for a dying man to be strapped with: die sooner so your family won't face financial ruin on top of your loss. Our HMO and doctors and nurses were fabulous, even working with a drug company to donate chemo pills, which brought my husband some peace of mind in the midst of his turmoil. We were absolutely blessed to have that catastrophic coverage. I know families with young kids where both parents have been laid off in this economic downturn, they can't afford COBRA, they are going without insurance, asking grandparents to help out with their kid's medical bills. We are talking two workers with master's degrees that own their own home. How much sharper must the edge feel for folks with a lot less margin for loss.

An ill friend of mine being treated right now shared recently that one of his monthly shots alone costs $1,400 each injection, and that's not even his main chemo med each month. He's in his 30s, has a wife and 3 kids, and thank goodness his small size employer offers healthcare coverage. They also have family and friends that would chip in if their co-pays became unmanageable. He is blessed. There are a phenominal number of people in this most highly resourced nation on the planet who will lose everything they have worked for when a family member becomes ill. I still work part time, go to school, and pay $402 per month / $4824 per year for my child and I to continue to have catastrophic coverage through our HMO. We pay $118 every time either of us walks into our doctor's office and for all medications and labs. Doctors' and nurses' salaries continue to decline nationwide, hospitals continue to be challenged by costs, but insurance companies never stop turning a ridiculous percentage of profit for their shareholders. They wield enormous power over all American's lives. I invite you to become better informed and do one small thing that you can do to help bring about the reform that will cover every American with affordable healthcare. CALL CONGRESS 1-877-264-4226, visit your congress person and senators' offices while they are home from DC this month and let them know your concerns. Take part in the genuine national discourse and stop shouting slogans at each other. Talk with your friends and family, listen thoughtfully, write letters to the editor, make your wisdom be heard above the din of the irrational misinformation and sensationalist talking points written by lobbyists. This is not a partisan issue, this is an issue America has because rampant greed has not been checked and balanced in the halls of our democracy. We must bring it into line. We only ever have now to do something meaningful for the good of the country and each other. I hope we all will do our parts.

It's Skywatch Friday, and the first gray rain clouds in two months have been giving Seattle nice showers the past couple days. Visit here to see the skies around the world today.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

He Can Park Wherever He Wants

Chuck, our favorite scooter aficionado and photographer extraordinaire from One A Day - Mostly Seattle commented on Tuesday's shot of the motorcyclist and pedestrians on the sidewalk that motorcycles and scooters definitely are not allowed to ride on the sidewalks like bicycles, but parking them on the sidewalk was not as clear--sometimes you might get ticketed, sometimes not. Well, no sooner had he said it than I found an example of someone who won't be having to worry about being ticketed, and thought I'd show it to you. A motorcycle officer needed to help some other officers direct a particularly tangled couple of intersections worth of bumper to bumper traffic on 5th Ave. There were no on-street parking spaces to be had, so he parked his huge, pristine HD up on the sidewalk. Here's a close up for you, too.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

iPhone Wednesday #5: Some Pig

Maximus/Minimus is the name of this pig, and it's one of Seattle's new innovative rolling gourmet street food vendors, with a chef and culinary crew cooking things up and dishing things out curbside. As you might guess from the way they've outfitted their rig, their specialty is pulled pork sandwiches. People rave about their slaw and their fruit drinks, too (take a look at the menu here). Their focus is on making their minimal offerings over-the-top in quality and flavor that will keep patrons looking for them. Most weekdays at lunchtime you'll find them parked here at 2nd and Pike, a block up from the Market. They also roll up for special evening events around town and games at the stadiums. I always feel happy when talented people who have a creative idea can make a fun venture like this a reality. I'm sure it's a lot of hard work, but doesn't just looking at a catering truck decked out like this make you smile? (And it doesn't even have its giant sunglasses on today!)

It's my iPhone Wednesday shot, where the photo and editing are are made strictly with the iPhone and iPhone apps. Sometimes they work, and other times they are so-so, but always a fun way to give you a new instant slant on Seattle.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Sidewalk Trio

Three friends heading out together down the sidewalk into the summer afternoon. Most of Seattle's shopping streets are experiencing transition and this storefront was receiving a makeover. Might have made a more fun photo to see their reflections in a window as they passed. It might interest you to know that it is legal to ride bicycles on the public sidewalks here in Seattle; I'm not so sure about motorcycles, though. :-) (Don't worry, it wasn't running).

Monday, August 10, 2009

Lines & Curves Abstract

I thought we might start the week with an abstract of these interior surfaces and colors of the EMP's architecture that caught my eye. Just walking through the spaces created by all those undulating walls is mind bending.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Remember When?

Continuing our look at some vintage signs salvaged and reused by the shops in West Seattle's Luna Park area, this one reminds me of so many Googie style coffee shops and diners from my California childhood. I just love it. Makes me think of my parents, brother, grandmother and me all piling out of the car, sitting in a booth and having breakfast or pie and coffee, (or in my case, milk). My grandmother dunking her toast in her coffee, the klink of the spoon on my mom's cup as she added sugar and cream, my brother eating everything sequentially clockwise around his plate, my dad's smile as the good grub was delivered to our table by a cheerful waitress, just like he used to do as a teen helping his uncle Ritchie at his cafe in Atascadero. Amazing what a vintage sign can say, eh? :-)

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Java Bean "20 Years Baby!"

Java Bean coffee shop in the Luna Park area of West Seattle had "20 Years Baby!" posted on its sign. They also have a shop in the Ballard neighborhood and are very popular, so happy anniversary to them. The vintage sign "The Shack" graces their red building, and I suspect it was salvaged from somewhere else by the owner of the Luna Park enclave of buildings that house restaurants, shops, and apartments. That lettering on The Shack sign shouts "60s" to me and is fun to see.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Vintage Avalon

The boulevard that runs along the shore of West Seattle's Luna Park and Alki Point areas is called Avalon. I saw this wise old Scott owl sign had been salvaged from somewhere and placed appropriately on a cafe facing Avalon Blvd. It would be fun to know where the sign was originally perched, and I am glad to see it continue to add it's whimsical charm at Luna Park.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Luna Park Cafe

If you've followed this blog for very long, you know I love old signs. Recycled vintage metal and neon signs abound in the little enclave of buildings, restaurants and shops just south of the West Seattle Bridge in the Luna Park area, once home to a popular beach side amusement park. The Luna Park Cafe's sign is seen here with the brick wall of the Boysen Apartments.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

iPhone Wednesday #4: Drinkin' With the Devil #2

Art is where you find it in Seattle. Mine happened to be when I ordered an espresso drink from Cuban inspired El Diablo Coffee Co. on Queen Anne Hill. I looked into the cup to see an incredible little two horned devil grinning at me (to see that shot check my More Seattle Stuff page). The barissta dude looked pleased when he saw me instantly grab a shot of it when I picked it up. The shot you see here was taken after I'd had a sip and set the cup down on the counter I was sitting at, which was also a work of art. For this 4th iPhone Wednesday I took the shot and edited it with applications right on the iPhone. Now I've got an ear worm going so I'll pass it on to you, "shake it like a Polaroid picture. . .hey ya. . . " :-) To see 2008's Drinking With the Devil #1 , go here.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Real Good For Free

. . .is how this one man band was playing. On his back is his rhythm section, controlled by ropes to his dancing feet, around his neck are a harmonica and kazoo, and in his hands is a banjo which he played very well in a funky groove that I gave a "10" to because it was way easy to dance to :-). Street performers abound in summer, and this guy had an ingenious rig and was really talented. I've seen him use other instruments, and you can view this (poor sound quality) Youtube clip to see him in action.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Grillin' in the Streets

It may have been hot enough a few days ago to fry an egg on the asphalt, but that's not the sort of street cooking pictured here. This is a street level shot of how an alder smoked salmon barbecue is mounted right on the pavement in the Ballard neighborhood during its annual summer Seafood Fest. An alder tree is cut down about a week beforehand and the wood split. The wood is lit on fire right on the street and then surrounded by a four sided steel cooker with a grill, made by locals and manned by experienced cooks from Ballard businesses (such as Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and Ballard Oil). I took this shot when they were finished cooking and had removed the cookers from over the fires. In the neighborhood that brings you the TV show "The Deadliest Catch," seafood is not only popular eating but a major economic factor in the community. Right now the Salmon Fleet that harbor's there is out in the coastal waters of Alaska, and a lot of Seattle area residents that enjoy fishing head up to the Strait of Juan de Fuca to try their luck at reeling in a salmon. A summer cookout with salmon and some veggies on the the grill is one of the real pleasures of a Pacific Northwest summer.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Illusion

A colorful abstract for you on this sunny Sunday. I liked the illusion of the floor line of the back wall continuing through reflection on the red wall and line of stall doors.

And, hey, I've got to ask you: is YOUR grout this clean? Look at how white it is even in the corners and around the stall supports. Ever seen a public restroom this clean? No, this isn't new construction or barley used space. This restroom has been actively in service for years in the high traffic Experience Music Project. The design, vivid colors and abstract qualities of the scene appealed to me while I was waiting in a long line for one of those doors to open (sigh). I went back later with my camera and it was then I met a person on the cleaning crew changing the trash bins. I asked her how the grout was kept so clean. She said it was due to the daily routine of the maintenance staff who literally hand wipe every inch of the floor, walls, counters and stalls every single day. Wow! As someone with only a couple human's and a couple feline's foot traffic on my tile kitchen floor, I was really impressed. You might not want to eat off the floor, but I assure you, you could!

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Theme Day: Night

Here is an example of late night hunting. The guys out after a show elsewhere playing "buck hunter" on the Big Buck Machine at the back of The Sloop Tavern. I loved the colorful reflections on the ceiling from all the neon signs around the walls, and the sense of place the Space Needle Bud Light sign gave this. Our CDPB Theme Day for August is NIGHT, and you can enjoy seeing creative views and interpretations from wonderful cities around the globe today by clicking here to view thumbnails for all participants.

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