Chris Witwer, Author at Wallyhood

Inflating Lady Liberty

Chris Witwer July 1, 2011 3 Comments

It’s on, folks! Now it’s summer!

Friday morning, One Reel took Lady Liberty’s head out of a crate and put her atop the hill at Gas Works.

While setting up, One Reel’s Production Director, Winsor Graves, shared some of her history with bystanders. The large inflatable balloon was custom made in 1992 for the annual fireworks at Gas Works Park. She is owned by One Reel, but there used to be more to her than a disembodied head. When she was originally made, she was a whole life-sized replica of the Statue of Liberty. Somewhere along the way her limbs …

Metro Service Reductions

Chris Witwer June 29, 2011 17 Comments

So let’s talk about Metro.

In April, King County’s Regional Transit Committee issued a ‘scenario’ titled, “600,000 Service Hour Reduction Scenario” that proposes various service cuts to address King County Metro’s $60 million deficit. In early May, the Seattle PI published an article about the possible service reductions. Seems like there are still a lot of details to be worked out, and I’m anxious to see where things end up. But then the story got even more complex, when a car tab increase was proposed. The Seattle Times explained the proposal here.

If I’m getting the details right, the WA …

Rodenticide on Squirrel Row

Chris Witwer June 17, 2011 Comments are off

We recently received a reader tip from our buddy Holly (heh, “buddy Holly”) over at Sock Monster. She’s worried about the squirrels on Burke Ave N., between 44th & 45th. She refers to that block as “squirrel row.”

Holly’s concern? Rat bait boxes in the squirrels’ habitat on the east side of Wallingford Center, near the sidewalk. Here’s what Holly had to say about the bait boxes:

“They are right along the fence on Burke right by where all the squirrels live and everyone can see them as they walk by. I don’t know why they have to put them …

Here Comes the Sun

Chris Witwer June 15, 2011 Comments are off

Summer doesn’t really kick off around here until July 5th, of course, but that doesn’t stop our neighbors over in Fremont from celebrating the summer solstice in June of every year. This year’s Solstice Parade takes place on Saturday 6/18.

Here’s a run down of some key Solstice festivities in Fremont & Wallingford:

Parade Volunteers needed: Fremont Arts Council is still recruiting parade volunteers, particularly Parade Monitors. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here. Friday night float move: Leaving the Powerhouse at dusk, volunteers will move all the floats to the parade start location. Solstice Director Leslie Zenz says they drape…

Cedar Grove Composting

Chris Witwer June 14, 2011 3 Comments

Last Saturday I was walking along 34th near Stone Way, when I spied some new banners advertising Cedar Grove Composting. And lo and behold, there it was! Cedar Grove Composting, right behind the Subway, kind of in the back of the parking lot adjacent to Gas Works Kite Shop.

I stopped in and spoke with C.J. Castillo, the Facility Manager at this new “Fremont” location. C.J. sent me some information about the new site, which is copied below. For the record, I think we should tease C.J. that he’s about 40 feet east of Fremont. Unofficially, anyway.

Welcome to Fremont/Wallingford/Wallymont, …

Wrecks at 35th & Stone, and 35th & Densmore

Chris Witwer June 9, 2011 Comments are off

Tipsters have informed Wallyhood that there is an accident at 35th & Densmore involving a Seattle Police motorcycle unit. Multiple police cars are on scene, and Metro has re-routed the #26 to Stone Way & 35th.

There is also, just now, reports of a new accident involving 3 vehicles at 35th & Stone way. No Metro re-route is expected at this time.

If and as we get more information, we’ll let you know. For now, it might be best to avoid the area by car.

Update: Seattle Times’ Blotter reports that SPD spokesperson Mark Jamieson confirms the officer involved in …

Sock Monster Anniversary Contest

Chris Witwer June 3, 2011 8 Comments

Happy first anniversary to Sock Monster, Wallingford’s very own sock-centric retail shop on 45th. We checked in with Sock Monster owner Holly Gummelt recently, to see how things are going. And she sure does have a lot of news.

First, the pinball machine and sodas are gone. But this is really a good thing, because those items were actually placeholders until the shop grew a bit, which it has.

Today, there is a kids corner where the pinball machine once stood. You can get custom hula hoops. Or panties that do not ride up during yoga. Really! Cool new stuff …

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