February 26, 2010 - Needle in Reflection

The Space Needle is reflected off of the windows of the Pacific Science Center. The Pacific Science Center, like the Space Needle, was a legacy of the 1962 World's Fair. It is an independent, non-profit museum dedicated to making science fun and accessible to all. The Pacific Science Center complex held the United States Science Pavillion for the World's Fair. Minoru Yamasaki was the architect. He is perhaps best known for his work in designing the World Trade Center in New York City.

February 26, 2010 - Olympic Inspiration

"Olympic Iliad" by Alexander Liberman was installed at Seattle Center in 1984. The monumental sculpture comprising red painted steel cylinders stands 45 feet high and is 60 feet wide.

February 21, 2010 - There Ain't Nothin' Like a Dame

The reinvention of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" ended its four week run at the 5th Avenue Theatre today. This was the touring version of the Broadway musical that won seven Tony awards. The original "South Pacific" debuted on Broadway in 1949.

The grand dame of Seattle Theatre, the 5th Avenue Theatre, opened in 1926 and is currently configured to seat 2,130. Preceding Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood it is been called the largest and most authentic example of traditional Chinese timber architecture and decoration outside of Asia.

Since 1989 the 5th Avenue Theatre has become known as a testing ground for new musicals before appearing on Broadway. Some of the recent musicals include "Jekyll and Hyde" in 1995, "Hairspray" in 2002, "The Wedding Singer" in 2006, "Shrek the Musical" in 2008 and "Catch Me if You Can" in 2009.

February 21, 2010 - A Day at the Beach

A sunny February sunday brings families out to enjoy some beach time at Mukilteo State Park as the ferry Kittitas heads to Whidbey Island.

February 18, 2010 - Pretty in Pink

What a beautiful Spring day! The cherry blossoms are out. The sun is out.

Sunny, mild weather is supposed to remain through the weekend.

February 16, 2010 - Are You Ram Tough?

Bighorn Sheep Crossing Next 5 Miles.

This corridor of US 97A North of Wenatchee, has one of the highest mule deer and big horn sheep mortality rates in Washington. During a severe winter as many as 160 deer are reported killed along the highway between Wenatchee and Chelan. In the past year, 13 Bighorn sheep have been killed. In December 2009, the Washington State DOT completed installing a special all-steel, 8-ft tall wildlife fence design along this high wildlife kill section of the Columbia River. It is anticipated that a 50% reduction in the total vehicle-wildlife collisions for the entire corridor can be achieved.

Update: The final segment of the wildlife fence was completed in September of 2011.  Initial counts indicates that the fence has resulted in an 80% reduction in total vehicle-wildlife collisions.

February 14, 2010 - Mid-Morning on Lake Chelan

A calm mid-winter’s morning view of Lake Chelan from Wapato Point in Manson on the East shore. Lake Chelan sits in central Washington State, nestled in the North Cascades National Forest. It is a 50.5 mile glacier-fed lake is 1.5 miles at its widest and 1486 ft. at its deepest point. The population of the valley consists of 10,000 year-round residents and several hundred more part-time residents.

February 6, 2010 - Husky Spirit

"Husky Spirit" guards the entrance of University of Washington's Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. The four foot tall, 360 lb bronze statue created by Georgia Gerber was originally unveiled in October 1995 before the UW-Notre Dame game. The $50,000 project was funded by the "Big W Club", an association of athletic letter winners and friends.

Ms. Gerber's work also includes Rachel the Pig at Pike Place Market, the Lowland Gorilla Family and baboons at the Woodland Park Zoo, the cows at University Village and bear families at three REI locations. If you see any bronze art on Whidbey Island, it is very likely that the work is hers.
February 2010 update - The new naming sponsor of the arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion is Alaska Airlines.

January 29, 2010 (UPDATE March 20, 2011) - Scary Affliction, Lifestyle Proclamation or Traffic Sign?

Residents of the Zadra Apartments in Lower Queen Anne can enjoy a first class view of the Space Needle's New Year's Eve and Fourth of July fireworks from their roof deck. The Space Needle is visible beyond the railing. If that isn't enough of a reason to live here, they also are just a few steps away from the best stop sign in the city.

So, do you think dancing within 30 feet is allowed?

NOTE: The sign was replaced in the summer of 2010, but now has been 'enhanced'.....

 

The new Stop sign, so identical to thousands of others in the city now reads: "Stop - Hammer Time"

January 21, 2010 - Airlift Northwest

An Airlift Northwest Eurocopter EC-135T touches down at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center (Not Seattle Grace!) with an emergency airlift. In the background one can see Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. Airlift Northwest is a non-profit organization providing air medical transport for Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Founder, Dr. Michael Copass currently serves as President and Medical Director. He is widely renowned for his contributions to the field of emergency medicine and developed one of the top trauma centers in the world at Harborview. He served as the Director of Emergency Services there from 1973 until 2008.

January 17, 2010 - Mom's Coat

A child, in her mother's jacket, watches the seagulls escort the ferry Cathlamet to Whidbey Island. The ferry Kittitas is in the background. The Mukilteo-Clinton ferry run takes about 20 minutes and runs every half hour for most of the day. The Cathlamet was built in 1981, can carry 126 automobiles and its two engines produce 5,000 horsepower that can propel the 328 foot vessel at up to 16 knots.

January 16, 2010 - Kenmore Lanes

The photographer doesn't appear to be finding the bucket at Kenmore Lanes. Kenmore is on the northern shores of Lake Washington. This 6.3 square mile incorporated town includes Kenmore Lanes. The 50+ lane bowling alley has the distinction of being the town's largest source of tax revenue. Sadly, the 11th frame card room attached to the bowling alley was shut down in June of 2009 by the city council after a 5 year legal battle. This after city residents voted to allow the card room.

January 10, 2010 - The Space Needle and The Grass Blades

The Space Needle rises above "The Grass Blades" at Seattle Center.  The Space Needle is 605' high and opened in 1962.  It cost $4.5 million to build.  Edward E. Carlson was the Artist.  Susan Zoccola's work "The Grass Blades" was a partnership with RBF Architects, (project lead John Fleming) that resulted in an AIA award.  The 110 30-foot high steel blades gently sway in the breeze and form an effective visual barrier between the EMP and a nearby parking lot.  "The Grass Blades" were installed in September 2002.  Also viewable through the grass is the Northeast 'corner' of the Experience Music Project, founded by Paul Allen. The building was designed by Frank Gehry with the associate architects LMN Architects. It is 85' high, 140,000 square feet, it opened in 2000.

January 7, 2010 - Afternoon over Puget Sound

Mt. Rainier rises above Puget Sound as seen from the Bremerton-Seattle ferry run in the afternoon.

January 7, 2010 - Dawn Over Puget Sound

A peaceful winter morning sunrise highlights the Seattle skyline and Mt Rainier in the distance as viewed from the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry.

January 7, 2010 - Cluttered Space Needle at Dusk

The Space Needle appears to be ensnared by telephone and power lines as well as constructions cranes at the site of the new Gates Foundation campus scheduled to open in Spring of 2011.