There was a conversation on the Wallingford/Fremont Community Facebook page a few weeks back about stolen bikes, that began with this photo of a stripped bike frame found at Gas Works:

In response, one commenter referenced the “Gas Works Chop Shop”, suggesting someone who had lost their bike might check there.

Gas Works chop shop? I’m familiar with the semi-permanent encampments in the covered building on the east side of the park, and my son discovered a cache of used needles tucked into the old equipment a few weeks back, but I hadn’t heard or seen it being used as …

On Tuesday, Patty and Joe’s house at 4059 Latona Ave NE was destroyed in a fire. The house has been an iconic standout in the neighborhood for the wonderfully prodigious array of holiday decorations they put out several times a year: Christmas, Halloween, the Fourth of July. Both Patty and Joe were unharmed in the fire, and one of their dogs miraculously survived, but the house, their personal belongings and amazing collection of decorations are lost.

The comments section of the brief story we posted has been full of stories and remembrances of the house, and Patty herself explained what …

Annie Lareau emailed us today that there was a coyote sighting near 40th and Densmore, and then Barbara posted to the Wallingford/Fremont Community Facebook page that she saw one by 42nd and Corliss, so there’s definitely one loping around the neighborhood. They’re nothing to be afraid of…unless you’re a cat, small dog or chicken. Keep ’em locked up safe!

It’s nothing new, we posted about coyotes in Wallingford last year around this same time, as well (see Coyote Wallingford, which also has some interesting-to-me information about coyote-wolf-dog hybrids that are showing up in cities across the country). But does make …

The house at 4059 Latona Ave NE, best known for its over-the-top Halloween, Christmas and Fourth of July decorations, is suffering a devastating fire. Michelle, a block away, says she could feel the explosion, and just sent in these photos.

Mandy says in the comments: “The couple that lives in that house is OK. They were taken to UW for evaluation and seem ok and understandably heart broken.”

I’ll update as I know more.…

The Essential Baking Company‘s Wallingford café down on 34th is encouraging the growing caffé sospeso movement: started in Naples, Italy, it’s a tradition to pay for an extra coffee so that someone less fortunate can enjoy one later on. Very kind.

While I am sure it will disgust many of you, I have many fond memories of digging through the dumpsters behind the Essential Baking Company for their discarded, day-old bread. It was a sad day when they moved their baking operation to their Georgetown location.

(Credit to Megan on the Wallingford/Fremont Community Facebook page for the photo.)…

I wanted to send a quick shout-out to some amazing Halloween awesomeness (and hopefully not foment too much FOMO.)

Zevin and I had a ball reverse trick-or-treating: I outfitted a wagon as a hula-hoop toss game, where everyone who played got a super ball as a prize. We had a little sound system for effect, and a couple bottles of high-end hootch for the adults to enjoy while the kids played, and we pulled our roving party wagon around the streets between 40th and 42nd, from 4th up to Meridian. Thanks to everyone who played, Zevin and I had a …

I know, last minute. I asked way back at the beginning of Halloween for people to tell me if they were setting up haunted houses, day-glo houses or the like, and then I didn’t follow up. Bad blogger! Bad, bad blogger!

So now, day of: anyone want to let us know about a particularly good house to come visit tonight? Day-glo, haunted house, ir maybe treats for adults?

I can say that, as they do every year, the folks at 42nd and Eastern Ave have a fun setup. The kids love it, and it’s a nice opportunity to chat with …