Seattle Daily Photo: February 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Sip & Ship

I had to take someone into Ballard for an appointment and while waiting for them I saw this shop and was able take care of some of my own errands like pick up a gift card for an upcoming event, ship a little package I had to send, and grab a quick, delicious bite and cuppa, all in one spot. Didn't mixed use businesses like this die out back in the early 90s? Like Fred's Gas, Bait, and Sushi Bar? (I think that was actually a Far Side joke). This shop had some unique local items, plus lots of attractive gift items, paper goods and hand made cards. Their food and coffee(fair trade. . .yay!) was great, and they had a busy shipping and packaging counter with attentive staff; all this in a small footprint of a space called Ballard Mail & Dispatch Sip & Ship. A fun shop to browse, with useful services and good eats. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Ballard Ballard+Mail+&+Dispatch Sip+&+Ship interior shop business coffee cafe

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Fly By

The medical helecopter from Harborview Medical Center happened to come into the frame while I was shooting the King Street Station clock tower. This tower was modeled after the Campanile di San Marco in Venice, Italy. Tomorrow I will show you a detail of the lovely restored interior of this landmark Seattle train station.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Utilikilts in Action

Best viewed large (click the photo, click "all sizes", click large). I just glimpsed three guys all wearing Utilikilts walking down an alley in the distance. They appeared to be wheeling a big trash container. I barely got the camera out in time to catch this brief sighting. You may remember this picture from last summer and these and these which got a lot of fun comments. That old building is torn down now, and the business moved to Pioneer Square. I've seen people wearing Utilikilts around town, but never had a camera with me, and this time too far away for a detailed shot. Time for that new lens, eh!

It might interest you to know that the cafe and night spot to the left, The Merchant's Cafe, is supposedly the west coast's oldest restaurant, in the same Yessler Way location since 1890. It's currently undergoing remodeling and will reopen in May. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Utilikilts kilt work+kilt street+scene Pioneer+Square alley Merchant's+Cafe cafe people

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Friends of Post Alley Mural

Colorful mural at Yessler and Post Ave.. 2002 by Billy King. Mural is on an exterior wall of a neighborhood restaurant and patrons are just visible in the large window on the left. Have a relaxing Sunday everyone! Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo mural public art Pioneer Square Friends+of+Post+Alley Billy+King diversity community

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Seattle's Moulin Rouge

A Saturday get together with friends who share a common interest. This gathering spot is the Red Mill Burger's Interbay location interior. It may interest Eric to know there is a signed watercolor of the Bal de Moulin Rouge located on a red wall near the restrooms. ;^) This establishment serves burgers, fries, onion rings, shakes, sodas, and not much else, but does these very well, and thus the place is very popular. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo restaurant diner cafe burger fries Interbay hamburger Red+Mill eat food

Friday, February 23, 2007

Sit Down, Relax a Minute, Grab a Bite?

So, what will you order? An inviting, colorful bench in the sun beckons outside a luncheon cafe. Spring is starting to show up big time, although temps remain cool and there are showers and big puffy clouds floating through the sky. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo yellow bench lunch diner cafe Ballard shadow sunshine spring outdoors exterior street+scene urban

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Flats Happen

For Ham in London, and cyclists everywhere who know how this goes in the life of a commuting cyclist. This cyclist was in the midst of a change when I walked past in the Cascade neighborhood. Seattle has a basic grid of bike lanes and a premier path called the Burke Gilman Trail, but the riding around here is urban and hilly, and very challenging to share the road in some places. On the plus side, it is legal to ride on the sidewalk. . .something verboten where we lived in the SF Bay Area. Noting this guy is only wearing a woolly hat, I urge any riders seeing this to consider wearing a sturdy helmet; it saved my husband's life when he was hit by a truck and landed on his head. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo bicycle cyclist Cascade street+scene urban commute traffic transportation people bike bicycling

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Longing of My Heart

I came across this new mural in Belltown, and it spoke volumes to me on many levels. I haven't been able to find any information on the artist or the mural, but it reminds me of the style of socialist murals from the 1930s, and of a question posed in a book I and some friends are currently reading. How Much Longer, indeed? How often do we humans the world over, in our pain, oppression, and suffering, ask this question. And how does one extract oneself from being part of the oppressor's system of harm and injustice? Heavy thoughts for this Ash Wednesday. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Belltown mural How+Much+Longer? public+art urban street+scene

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Cutting Loose in Seattle

Today being Mardi Gras, I thought I'd cut loose and share a photo taken at a fun live show this weekend at the Fenix Underground in the Pioneer Square district. The headliner was Switchfoot, a great Cali band from San Diego (hello Felicia!). The band's name comes from a surf term. Their set was wildly appreciated and they had a great opener, as well. They are touring in support of a new album, back from Europe and making the North American loop. With over a thousand people in the house, it got pretty steamy, and security liberally doused folks with water and passed out bottled water through the crowd. All remained civil yet joyous. Friends from Portland up for the show (Hi Patrick & Lucy!) remarked that the Seattle audience seemed more considerate and didn't squish you. Hope your Fat Tuesday festivities are equally upbeat. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Switchfoot February+18,+2007 Fenix+Underground Pioneer+Square concert gig music tour nightlife

Monday, February 19, 2007

Condo in The Sky

I liked the way all the elements converged in the sky! This mirror was at a curve in the road, I think to help residents exiting the condo complex garage pictured. Condos are rising everywhere in Seattle like spring bulbs!

If you would care to support SDP in the end of round 2 of Metroblogging Seattle's "Blarch Badness" best blogs of Seattle round up, please click here to vote.

Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo mirror reflection condos sky poles exterior street+scene

Sunday, February 18, 2007

At The Nursery

A family was pulling this wagon through the nursery in the Blue Ridge neighborhood above the Sound, picking out spring color for their garden. So many people emerged from their homes on this first nice sunny day, running Saturday errands and working in the garden. By late afternoon a new storm was blowing in with breezes and a light rain by nightfall. Sigh. . . Enjoy your Sunday, rain or shine.

Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo nursery gardening garden flowers horticulture Ballard Blue+Ridge Swanson's saturday spring

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Saturday Breakfast

Cheerful coral colored interior of this small Ballard cafe, Senior Moose, known for its regional Mexican cooking and breakfasts. The walls are lined with an offering of framed photos and watercolors displayed for sale. The other room features a wooden diner style counter with stools where one can watch what's cooking. Oh, yeah, they let you color on the paper table covers if you'd like. Enjoy a restful weekend everyone! Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Ballard Senior+Moose cafe breakfast restaurant interior Mexican+cafe

Friday, February 16, 2007

#108 In America's Favorite Architecture

The Seattle Central Library, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, has been voted #108 in the American Institute of Architects' list of America's Favorite Architecture. It was one of two Seattle buildings included on the list of 150 structures nationwide. The other Seattle structure included at #135 was Safeco Field. I took this photograph of the library's exterior reflected in granite and water. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Seattle+Central+Library Rem+Koolhaas library archtitecture design reflection exterior urban 4th+Avenue Seattle+Library America's+Favorite+Architecture 108

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Victrola Sidewalk Scene

Even on a cold afternoon there is a lively scene outside this popular independent coffee house in the Capitol Hill Neighborhood. A fellow Seattlite commented that he was not cool enough to be allowed in at Victrola. When asked if they really "cool card" their patrons, he replied, "PowerBook, Sideburns and Fresh Haiku needed before they'll take your order." Okay boys and girls, are YOU cool enough to fit in this scene?
Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo coffee coffee+house cafe sidewalk+cafe espresso Victrola Capitol+Hill street+scene urban people

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Cool View For Two

Happy Valentines Day!
This couple was taking in the view of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle from the observation deck of the 1914 Smith Tower, the city's first skyscraper. For a better view of what they see, click on my More Seattle Stuff page.

If you would care to support SDP in round 2 of Metroblogging Seattle's "Blarch Badness" best blogs of Seattle round up, please click here to vote. The blog I'm paired with in this week's run-off is not a photoblog, and is a city fave. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Valentine's+Day couple Smith+Tower Observation+Deck downtow skyline buildings architectur Space+Needle

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Little Sweetheart

I came across this early 1960's vintage red MG 1100 sport sedan while out on a walk through the Cascade neighborhood at sunset. It was in perfect condition. Tomorrow is Valentines Day and, to my mind, this is a romantic little sweetheart. Seattle is, among other things, a city full of well-loved classic cars maintained and used for everyday transportation.

The blog I'm paired with this week is not a photoblog, and is a city fave. If you would care to support SDP in round 2 of Metroblogging Seattle's "Blarch Badness" best blogs of Seattle round up, please click here to vote.

Also, if you would care to nominate SDP or any other City Daily Photo Blog (see portal list to right for URLs) for recognition in the 2007 Photobloggies awards, please click here.

Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo MG+1100 classic+car MG+sport sedan red+car Valentine's+Day sweetheart vintage+car vintage+MG Cascade urban

Monday, February 12, 2007

Stripes and Square

An abstract to start the week. . . pattern is everywhere we turn. This pattern of yellow and blue-gray stripes and a square caught my eye as I was descending a north staircase at the Seattle Center.

Voting in the preliminary round continues through today (Monday), so if you'd like to support SDP in Metroblogging Seattle's best blogs poll go to the bottom of this link.

Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" Center" stairs abstract yellow gray stripes geometric

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Single Cap Aftermath

It's a pleasure to have a moment to sit by a sunny window in winter and enjoy watching the comings and goings on the sidewalk outside. Your view today includes traces of "velvet foam" left in the cup and the view of Republican St. from a window seat in Uptown Espresso in the Cascade neighborhood. Hope you are enjoying a peaceful Sunday.

Voting in the preliminary round continues through tomorrow (Monday), so if you'd like to support SDP in Metroblogging Seattle's best blogs poll go to the bottom of this link.
Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" espresso coffee "Uptown Espresso" Cascade "South Lake Union" cafe Westlake business cappuccino

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Pay Here to Park

Another in my series of playing with the Space Needle's image Have a fun and restful weekend everybody!

If you'd like to support SDP in Metroblogging Seattle's best blogs poll go to the bottom of this link.

Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" "Space Needle" "peek-a-boo" Center" parking sunset

Friday, February 09, 2007

The Fall of Troy

This mid 60s metal neon sign has seen better days. Water on the roof reflected shimmering sunset light onto the sign's underside, while pigeons perched on top. It's not quite Googie, but I still love it for the sense of era and the colors. The sign was out of character with the beautiful 1927 brick facade of the main building of the historic Troy Laundry facilities. It sat atop a newer portion of the complex added in the 60s. The original laundry building, designed by architect Victor Voorhees in 1927 and two 1940s additions by Henry Bittman, feature brick work facades detailed with lovely white terra cotta design elements. The laundry does not seem to be operational anymore. In 1948 it was the largest laundry operation in the Pacific Northwest. It now appeares to be used by a local newspaper as a warehouse for news stands and distribution racks. The City's department of Neighborhoods has recommended the complex be designated a landmark in a preservation area of the South Lake Union/Cascade neighborhood (a hot bed of high-tech and bio-research construction and redevelopment at present).
Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" "historic buildings" architecture sign neon "Troy Laundry" "1960s sign" Googie design "fall of Troy"

Thursday, February 08, 2007

U Pay Ur Money & U Take Ur Chance

The RED campaign has hit Seattle full bore. Six banks of red "pay here" slots in a numbered downtown parking lot. Great minds think alike: Culinary Fool posted a photo of the same pay stations in the comments section on my Flickr page. I was photographing a huge Turner project crane when these beauties caught my eye.

If you'd like to support SDP in Metroblogging Seattle's best blogs poll go to the bottom of this link.

Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" "U-Park" "pay station" "parking lot" to park" red "red campaign" downtown urban exterior "street scene"

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Thousand Cranes Reflection

Or at least it seems like there are a thousand of them right now. From Pioneer Square and the I-district to downtown to Belltown , Georgetown and West Seattle, Ballard to Northgate to Wallingford and the U-district, and Capitol Hill, cranes are so common you can even glimpse them in rain puddles! Seattle is growing up up up up up up fast. This reflection of a Paul Allen "Vulcan" project crane was captured in the Cascade neighborhood.

A chance to VOTE for Seattle Daily Photo: Metroblogging Seattle has included Seattle Daily Photo in a reader's poll of best blogs of Seattle. If you would care to lend your support go to this link, to the last poll in the article called the West Seattle round I. It's easy and quick, and you can see the up to the minute results the second you click your vote. I've been paired this week with a blogger named Michael whose blog and photos of the wetlands at North Seattle Community College I very much like. The winner of this round gets paired with a winner of a different round next week. It's fun to be noticed and included in this round-up of all different kinds of blogs, from technology and politics, to food and parenting. Thanks to Dylan for all the fun!

Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" "South Lake Union" construction reflections puddle crane "thousand cranes"

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Crossing

Best Viewed in Large Size (click photo, click "All Sizes," choose large). An assortment of people and vehicles make their way at an intersection on Denny Way, looking up the grade over the freeway toward the Capitol Hill neighborhood, rush hour.
My best wishes go out to Santy and the thousands of people in Jakarta who have been displaced in the monsoon flooding. Your Seattle friends and City Daily Photo family are thinking of you!
Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo traffice street+scene crosswalk panhandler short+bus pedestrian building cars Denny+Way rush+hour sunset roadway freeway overpass

Monday, February 05, 2007

Mirror Image

Best Viewed in Large Size (click photo, click "All Sizes," choose large). Mirror image of patrons and staff at a South Lake Union neighborhood espresso & wifi cafe on Westlake Ave.. The guy with the rat pack hat staring at his screen caught my attention, as well as the happy conversation happening at the counter. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo cafe reflection mirror wifi cappuccino espresso South+Lake+Union

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Wrought Iron Artist

Detail of elaborate and interesting iron work fence outside The Hi Life restaurant (Chow Foods' sister restaurant to The 5 Spot). Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" wrought+iron art fence public+art Ballard Hi+Life

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Coming Ta Getcha!

No, it's not Nessy. But it's not far from the Locks. You may be familiar with the metal sea monster sculpture that's part of the Shilshole Marina jetty, but did you know as long ago as 1906 Ballard was graced by a sea serpent that got caught on film? There is a picture postcard of it at the very bottom of the page at this link. This whimsical creature slithers out of the ship canal onto a boatyard fence near the public access dock at NW 24th Street. Seattle Seatte+Daily+Photo Loch+Ness+Monster sea+monster dragon sea+serpent Ballard public+art art mural ship+canal Ballard+Locks ship+canal+locks Chittenden+Locks sunset

Friday, February 02, 2007

Egan's Neon

It's Friday night. Get out and enjoy some LIVE music in your town. Seattle has some outstanding clubs and a very active music scene. This is the sign for a small jazz venue in Ballard. Check out the link for Belltown Bent in the right hand sidebar for incredible on stage photos of jazz greats that have played Jazz Alley, the Triple Door, Tula's and many other venues here in the Emerald City. Seattle Seattle+Daily+Photo Tula's Jazz+Alley live live+music jazz music Friday Belltown+Bent

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Theme Day: What Bugs Me Most About My City

What bugs me most in Seattle? Steel Plates in the Road: Many parts of Seattle seem to be under complete construction. A crane almost hit my car with a load on a pallet the other day. . .no flag person to be seen and traffic going full bore while the crane operator dangled a hook at curbside between the sidewalk and the street, lifted a pallet of bags of concrete, which swung toward me and dangled right overhead. If it's not a building going up, it's the street torn up and huge steel plates going on for blocks, some not settled completely. . .very noisy and jarring, and impossible to ride my bike on.

Now you can see what bugs folks all around the world. . .will there be a theme within this theme? Tour the world and find out by clicking the sites below. 50 cities are participating today, and we're all in different time zones, so keep that in mind as you travel the sites:

1 (Porto (Portugal) ) -2 (Stayton, OR (USA) ) -3 (Albuquerque, NM (USA) ) -4 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -5 (Greenville, SC (USA) ) -6 (Dubai (U.A.E.) ) -7 (Evry (France) ) -8 (Jakarta (Indonesia) ) -9 (London (UK) ) -10 (Sequim, WA (USA) ) -11 (Buenos Aires, (Argentina) ) -12 (Seattle, WA (USA) ) -13 (Minneapolis, MN (USA) ) -14 (Stavanger (Norway) ) -15 (Joplin , MO (USA) ) -16 (Nelson, New Zealand ) -17 (Milano, Italy ) -18 (Singapore (KeropokMan) ) -19 (La Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala) ) -20 (Nottingham UK ) -21 (Singapore by Zannnie (Singapore) ) -22 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -23 (Not Strictly Seattle, WA (USA) ) -24 (Bandung (Indonesia) ) -25 (Vantaa (Finland) ) -26 (Hyde (UK) ) -27 (Madrid by Dsole (Spain) ) -28 (Oulu (Finland) ) -29 (Saarbruecken (Germany) ) -30 (St. Paul [Carol] ) -31 (Sydney (Australia) ) -32 (Tokyo (Japan) ) -33 (Kyoto (Japan) ) -34 (Trujillo (Peru) ) -35 (Shanghai (China) ) -36 (Rotterdam (NL) ) -37 (Chicago, IL (USA) ) -38 (Nice, (France) ) -39 (Naples, Florida (USA) ) -40 (Hong Kong ) -41 (Santa Clara, CA (USA) ) -42 (Quito, Ecuador (South America) ) -43 (Cottage Grove, MN (USA) ) -44 (Paris, (France) ) -45 (Manila (Philippines) ) -46 (Brussels (Belgium) ) -47 (Auckland (New Zealand) ) -48 (Newcastle upon Tyne (England)) -49 (Houston, TX (USA) ) -50 (Sydney by Nathalie (Australia)) -

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