Thursday, November 30, 2006

Seattle Snow Day

Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Rounding out the most rainy November on record, the early cold snap that blanketed Seattle in a coverlet of snow this week has now finished out the month with a final icy layer of rain on new snow last night. Children have been enjoying snow days at home, and this morning will have to go back to school, but with a two hour delayed start time. The city so seldom gets snow that lasts more than a day or two that it does not have a general snow plow and street salt system and it just pretty much shuts down. It's been 3 years since there were snow days for Seattle Public School kids.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Holiday Window on the Market


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing. Photo taken by my daughter.

God Jul! exclaims this roving display window, mounted on a truck parked at the waterfront near Pike Place Market. Seattle is a wonderful city for those whose holiday traditions include lots of city pleasures such as window shopping, theater and concert events, and colorful street displays and performers. The city hosts a huge celebration the day after Thanksgiving, starting with a festive parade and ending with a tree lighting and firework display attended by thousands at Westlake Center, the heart of the shopping district. A jolly fellow can also be found visiting with children at the top of the Space Needle, which is adorned with a tree of light at the top. Click on the Space Needle Web Cam link to the right for a 360 degree view of the snowy city.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Rules Meant To Be Broken?

You know this isn't Paris, because there are no metal posts along the sidewalk to enforce this rule. This car, despite the admonition above it, has been parked on the sidewalk in front of the auto rePAIR shop for as long as I've lived in Seattle. I notice new graffiti behind it and some new city sidewalk improvement markings near the front tire. I wonder if it will have to start minding the absolute rule once pavement repairs commence? Well, with the new snows, it is probably best that this old baby stays put, anyhow.

Post Script: Maybe someone at the garage saw this, because when I was in that area today (12-3) there was a red car in this one's place--the first time I'd noticed any change since July!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Uh Oh!


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Snow! Many holiday travelers were unable to get home through the mountain passes of Washington last night due to whiteout conditions and many accidents. Here in Seattle we got a couple inches and people were trying to sled down our street. This was the view from one of our iced over rain gutters last night. Kids were hoping for a snow day today, but no such luck here in town where the streets were slushy but passable. The promised photo for today will appear tomorrow. . .

Sunday, November 26, 2006

I Thought It Said Paris

Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I was looking up at a broadcasting tower trying to photograph it when I noticed this neon sign. "Oh, great! A couple of letters are out so it reads " Paris," and what a coincidence that there is a huge metal tower behind it! Eric will get a kick out of this." Snap, snap, snap. When I got home and uploaded the photos, my husband was kind enough to point out my wishful perception. Oh my. I'm losing it. Tomorrow I'll show you something else humorous that was at street level below this sign.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

A Couple of Coupela

Immaculate Conception Church at 829 18th Avenue in the Central District is the oldest Catholic church in Seattle. I noted that this church is celebrating November as Black Catholic History Month, and has invited a speaker on the subject, Daryl Grigsby, MA in pastoral studies from Seattle University, for Sunday's 9 and 11 AM masses. For more of my shots of this building, click on More Seattle Stuff.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Strange Leaf

Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

The skys are busy with air traffic this holiday weekend. I caught a jet hanging out like a leaf in the nearly bare tree.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Kleco


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Totem House on NW 54th Street, Seattle, originally built in 1938 as a native arts shop, now a seafood and chowder house frequented by tourists. The Totem House and its carvings were made by influential master carver Jimmy John who died in 1988 at age 114, a descendant of Chief Maquinna of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation of the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Several of John's descendants carry on the tradition. Among them are his son, Norman John, grandson, Sanford Williams, and granddaughter, Elsie John, whose works are in demand.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Twin















Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republication.

Her alter ego was holding a silent conversation with her as she stepped toward the street. . . This black granite facade on 4th Street captured the image of her constant companion. (Interesting art panels in the jacket construction).

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Chinese Lantern

Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I took this shot at the border of the International District and downtown. I was attracted to all the vertical and horizontal bands of texture and color and this sun-faded red street lamp that seemed to delineate the neighborhood boundary of what in days gone by was known as "Chinatown."

Monday, November 20, 2006

Seattle Safety Patrol (not Bike Messenger)


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Errata: I have kindly been informed that the gentleman pictured above is not a bike messenger at all , but a Seattle safety patrol officer. . . -K. 12/9/06. Nathalie mentioned bike couriers, and we have them here, too. This one is standing outside of the Seattle downtown YMCA reviewing some document. The YMCA is a completely refurbished building (2000) with some lovely interior period details from the 1930s left for show (like a bank of wooden telephone booths). The Gates Foundation helped with the project, and you can see some details by clicking my More Seattle Stuff page.

I liked the way the horizontal and vertical rows of brick echoed each other from this corner vantage point. Does the brickwork pattern on the building across the street remind you of anyplace in Paris?

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Seattle Rainy Day Japanese Maple


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

The rains are back after a couple days of sun. Drops of rain cling to a bright red maple branch. Despite the grey day, color is everywhere. People were wise to get their Thanksgiving grocery shopping done yesterday before the new storm. The last two weeks of November are generally the most stormy of the whole year, but this year it looks like we got all our November rains early.

Please note in the side bar the link to give financial assistance to Seattle's Pike Place Market flower and veggie farmers whose fields were flooded and whose crops are either unusable or destroyed for next season. Whenever I need flowers I hop on the bus and head to the flower vendor at the Market where for $5, $10, or $15 I can purchase a huge bouquet which often includes peonies, lilies, dahlias, and just an amazing variety of common and hard-to-find blooms. This farming family grows all their own stock, and their fields are underwater, their bulbs are lost for next year--a $50,000 loss. Similarly, a few of the Market veggie farmers are not being allowed to sell anything from their flooded fields because of risk of contamination. The donation to the PP Market's foundation is US tax deduct able, and you can note it is for the affected farming vendors. If you're out of town but have been a tourist here and enjoyed the Market, consider giving. If you'd like to contribute in person, there is an enormous PIGgy bank at the Market in which you can put change, checks, and bills. The growers from other farmers markets around town may be similarly affected, so check with those you regularly buy from and see if they can use some extra help. I suggest we all try to pay double or triple the asking price to farmers who have had flood damage. They keep fresh organic products available to us all year, and we can support them and appreciate them in this small way. Without them, this community would be a very sorry, uncolorful place. Whatever you can do, I invite you to do it.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Getting Around























Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Traffic can be a bear at certain times of day on city streets, too. Beating Seattle's traffic with alternatives to car travel has its side benefits: better personal health, better health for the atmosphere, etc. Despite its reputation for precipitation, many Seattlites choose to bike or scooter, even in the wet months.

Friday, November 17, 2006

We Love It!


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Early morning I-5 freeway backup heading into downtown and toward a bridge to the Eastside of Lake Washington and popular employers like Microsoft. This picture was taken on a very GOOD morning for an average commute! Those are the express lanes in the center going under, and that is Capitol Hill straight ahead with Saint Mark's "the big box on the hill" to the very far left You can click those two links for close views at my More Seattle Stuff Page or here and here.

I lived in heavily congested traffic areas in California most of my life, yet Seattle's commute traffic seems far worse to me. There is no connected rapid transit system yet. We rely heavily on the Seattle Metro bus system (which is timely and great--and just $2.50 to the airport 20 miles away!). We ride our bikes to work (you can also take them on the bus), and keep one small car to get about otherwise.

Yes, everyone can still comment! To leave a comment in Blogger Beta, simply choose anonymous or fill in another name.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Baggage


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing

Stopped in traffic in front of the Post Office downtown, these three people caught my eye. Compare this scene with the three figures in front of the Post Office at Sharon Daily Photo . Friends, to leave a comment, please use "anonymous" or a chosen name other than your Blogger log in--I've switched to Beta. . .and miss your comments. Thanks.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Snowy Olympics Sun Break


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Eleven days of the Pineapple Express storm system off the Pacific dumped quite a snow blanket on the Olympic Mountains, seen here yesterday morning poking their heads up above Bainbridge Island and a cloud bank beyond. I shot this during a brief sun break early yesterday morning, looking west over the Puget Sound. You can find my fellow city daily photo blogger Lavender Lady of Sequim Daily Photo in her lovely setting to the far north (right) of this mountain range. Sequim gets less rain than Seattle, and far less still than the famous rain forest on the west of the Olympic Peninsula that these mountains dominate.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Impaled


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

The wind has made a trophy of this maple leaf impaled on a chain link fence. It is definitely raking time in Seattle, with the rains letting up for just a bit for wind gusts to take over. To see images of our streets paved with gold, click More Seattle Stuff.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Vortex


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing

Will this flight be sucked down into the Capitol Hill vortex? Washed down by unabated rain, perhaps. Whenever I've flown into Seatac airport via the approach this plane is taking, I've always enjoyed being able to see the familiar streets below so distinctly. Seattle has a LOT of air traffic, and it's not just jets like this. There are many, many prop planes, private small craft, and seaplanes. I did a double take a couple years ago on seeing an enormous weird plane that looked like it had a dragon's wings and tail or was a kids transformer toy or something out of a science fiction graphic novel (someone told me it must have belonged to Paul Allen).

Sunday, November 12, 2006

When The Rains Came


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

This past week we've been slammed with what the meteorologist called "The Pineapple Express," an extreme rain front brought in from the far Pacific. Outlying areas of the Puget Sound region have been hard hit by flash floods and rivers overflowing their banks. Homes flooded and foundations of a fewl homes eroded to the point of near collapse. People were trapped in vehicles carried away in torrents. Mount Rainier National Park roadways and facilities were so greatly affected that closure of some areas is expected to last through the end of the year. Here in the city of Seattle itself the effects were not so greatly felt. The rains and wind have knocked most of the leaves from the trees, so many streets and sidewalks now look "paved with gold."

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Eleven Eleven at Eleven


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Linens shop window observance. For Marie who served and is with me still; and for Bill, Pete, Bill, Billy, Albert, and Earl whose whole life stories I hold in my heart, chapters of which included being required to leave home and their dear ones to face the uncertainties and pain of war on foreign soil and seas.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Remember


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

There is a very popular direct passenger ferry from Seattle's waterfront to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Victoria, at the southern end of Vancouver Island, has a lovely small harbor and a walkable charming downtown. I went there for a concert this week. Unfortunately the direct ferry was fully booked, so I drove up past the border and boarded a car ferry, then once on the island drove the 20 miles into Victoria. All about town Canadians were wearing red poppies of remembrance. I noticed this woman spending quite a long time at the memorial to those who perished in World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. It was refreshing to see so many people actually think about and remember the human cost of war. Although Veterans Day is Saturday (Remembrance Day in Canada), it is observed here in Seattle today by the closing of schools and some public institutions. For many, it is merely a "floating" holiday which some employers honor and others do not. My neighbors to the north gave me a good reminder through their thoughtful observance.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Pergola Restored


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

One morning in 2001 this landmark 1909 cast iron and glass pergola all came crashing down, hit by a commercial truck trying to turn the corner. The pergola, built to shelter passengers of the early street car system from downtown to Lake Washington, had been proclaimed a national landmark in 1977. The pergola sits over a lavish underground public comfort station (washroom) which has been closed for decades. It was said of these toilets, "After opening, they are flushed approximately 5,000 times a day; 8,000 times on Sundays when saloons are closed." The pergola's cast iron poles, framing, and ornamentation pieces were shattered. The trucking company paid for an ironworks company to painstakingly restore all the broken pieces to their original condition and reassemble this lovely curved shelter in its original location at Pioneer Square. After yesterday's election results and announcements, today in the US and elsewhere many have new reason to share a similar hope that precious things seemingly knocked down and shattered by excesses in political power can, with careful work and focused effort, begin to be salvaged and restored. Click the link above for many more pergola photos (including the wreckage) and a full history.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Found Art Sea Critters Handrail














Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
I'm always delighted to come upon original artwork incorporated in decorative touches in neighborhood homes and gardens. This residential front steps handrail appears to have been lovingly created just for the spot, and handmade with care. The Orca whale portrayed reminded me of the 3 pods or families of whales one can observe in the Puget Sound (about 80 killer whales total) when they are here for the summer. Several disappeared mysteriously this year in the prime of life, it is thought linked to poor availability of salmon. The Orcas also play a significant role in tribal art of several indiginous peoples of Seattle and other areas of the coastal Pacific Northwest, perhaps best known among them the Haida's highly stylized images.

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Tuesday, November 07, 2006

It's In The P-I



















Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Here in Seattle people will be looking for nationwide election results today in the two daily newspapers, the Seattle Times, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (or P-I as it's called). This landmark symbol of the P-I is visible from the Seattle waterfront, and at night is especially striking as it is fully deliniated by colored neon. I dedicate this shot to Felicia and Luggi, because I started to take it while stopped in heavy traffic, but before I could shoot, traffic started moving again. I ended up just pushing the shutter with the camera still aimed in the general direction but with my eyes on the road. So this was shot while in motion without looking in the view finder. As soon as I hit the shutter, I put the camera down and vowed I would never again do something that stupid. I don't have the nerves of steel or coordination to simultaniously shift gears, steer, and shoot at the same time that my Los Angeles and San Diego campatriots behind the wheel do.

I'm pleasantly surprised it turned out. I'm hoping that's how my reaction to the election results will be, too. Those of us in the States have the opportunity to participate in one part of the democratic process today, and I hope all of us will be encouraged to cast our ballots and do the other things we can to be the change we want to see in this nation and in the world.

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Monday, November 06, 2006

Pampered Pooch

Photo & Text copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.


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I think I mentioned that Seattle is the most dog-affectionate town outside of Paris that I've ever seen. This couple and their standard poodle went into this specialty pet supply shop to find a new harness for their fast growing pup. The clerk is helping to find just the right fit, while the store's working dog ambles into the lower part of the frame.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Sidewalk Doggie Cafe

Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republication.

I mentioned before that Seattle is the most dog crazy city I've seen except for Paris. Dogs are catered to along most shopping streets by merchants who provide watering and feeding stations. This scene is outside the Rusty Pelican on NE 45th Street.

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Saturday, November 04, 2006

A View From the Bridge


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction and republishing.

Cars in rainslick twilight on a tall draw bridge: I took this shot from the deck of the busy Ballard Bridge, the same spot at which I took yesterday's photo, but facing south this time. In the background you can see the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood, the draw bridge operator's tower, and the moon high above. This bridge opens for taller ships about 5000 times a year.
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Friday, November 03, 2006

Leaving Fishermen's Terminal


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

After the rain, a boat leaving Fisherman's terminal makes its way through Salmon Bay at sunset. The fish and seafood prices at Fisherman's Terminal tend to be lower than at the famous fish tosser's stand at Pike Place Public Market on the Elliot Bay waterfront. One doesn't get the tourist's floor show, but one can walk real docks lined with working fishing vessels, and scroll through the names adorned with flowers and tributes at the touching fisherman's memorial. The hill behind is the back side of the Magnolia neighborhood.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

6 Pair On Seattle Front Porch


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

No, this isn't an inspiring idea from the pages of Sunset magazine. Click the photo for a closer view of the colorful and whimsical patterns on these six sets of immaculately ordered rain boots. Someone has taken care to line them up on the inviting front porch of this bungalow in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

City Daily Photo Theme: Something That Will Disappear Soon


Photo & Text Copyright 2006 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

Wild Salmon Habitat Is Fast Disappearing. Seattle and Washington state are known for the wild salmon and the salmon fishing fleet located here. The rivers, streams, brooks and creeks the salmon return to to spawn are getting harder and harder to get to and to remain unpolluted. For more information click on the link.

Today, 56 City Daily Photo Blogs from around the globe are featuring a photo on the theme of something that will disappear soon. Please click the links below to begin your photo tour. Remember to gage for time zones when visiting these sites today, November 1, 2006.

1 (Porto ) -2 (Seattle WA USA (Kim) ) 1 (Porto ) -2 (Seattle WA USA (Kim) ) -3 (London, UK ) -4 (Greenville, SC ) -5 (Albuquerque, NM (USA) ) -6 (St Paul Kate ) -7 (ShangHai, China ) -8 (Phoenix, Az ) -9 (Twin Cities, MN ) -10 (Sequim, WA ) -11 (Stayton, OR, USA ) -12 (Bandung (Indonesia) ) -13 (Dallas, USA ) -14 (Stavanger (Norway) ) -15 (Singapore (zannnie) ) -16 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -17 (Paris (France) ) -18 (Tuzla (BiH) ) -19 (Melbourne, (Aust.) ) -20 (Auckland, New Zealand ) -21 (Singapore (Raymond) ) -22 (Dubai UAE (DXBluey) ) -23 (Vantaa, Finland ) -24 (Oshawa, Ontario, Canada ) -25 (St. Paul MN Carol ) -26 (Singapore (Keropok) ) -27 (Delta Colorado, USA ) -28 (Rotterdam (Netherlands ) -29 (Queens, NY (USA) ) -30 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -31 (Santiago (Chile) ) -32 (Nelson, New Zealand ) -33 (( Japan ) ) -34 (Hyde (UK) ) -35 (Sydney (Sally) ) -36 (Manila, Philippines ) -37 (Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) ) -38 (Nottingham UK ) -39 (Brussels, Belgium ) -40 (Sharon, CT (USA) ) -41 (Sydney Australia (Nathalie) ) -42 (Edinburgh, Scotland ) -43 (Evry, France ) -44 (San Diego, CA (USA) ) -45 (Santa Clara, CA (USA) ) -46 (Saarbrücken, Germany ) -47 (Joplin, MO (USA) ) -48 (Indianapolis,IN (USA) ) -49 (Trujillo (Peru) ) -50 (Barcelona (Spain) ) -51 (Berlin (Germany)) -52 (Vancouver, BC (Canada)) -53 (Trier (Germany)) -54 (Houston, TX (USA)) -55 (Joensuu, Finland) -56 (Jakarta, Indonisia)