seattle pics

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Lots of Children Left Behind

The current class of graduating high school seniors is the first to face the added requirement of passing the state's standardized achievement test in order to graduate. As in other states, the Washington Assesment of Student Learning, commonly called the WASL (pronounced WA-sul), has been highly controversial. The math section was so flawed that the governor and state legislature eliminated it from the graduation requirement. If students fail the reading and writing portions of the 10th grade test, they may retake the test during 11th and 12th grades. Notices went out this week to 5572 students who will not be graduating with their 2008 class in two weeks, even if they have successfully completed their courses and met all other graduation requirements. These are real individuals' lives. The full repercussion this will have on them and their families remains to be seen. My modest proposal for many years has been that the president of the United States and every member of congress who voted in favor of his "No Child Left Behind" legislation six years ago take and pass all portions of the WASL in order to keep his/her job. I don't think it is necessarily the children who are slow. JMHO, your mileage may vary.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Mural in Sunset Heights Section of Fremont

I thought you might like an abstract today. Where Phinney Ridge meets the Fremont neighborhood is a micro neighborhood called Sunset Heights. There are wonderful views of the Olympics, the Sound, and the Ballard neighborhood below from this last bit of the ridge. What inspired this mural on the north side of a building there I'm not sure, but I loved the rich reds and blues, and the texture of the colors caught in cracks. Happy Friday everyone!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Northern Flicker

I have come to love this woodpecker with the splash of orange under its tail and wings, that is as at home on the ground around our house as it is in the trees. I wasn't familiar with the Northern Flicker before I was introduced to them here in Seattle. A pair of them used to regularly drill our chimney cap in the mornings, as if it was their personal gong to summon the neighborhood to life. They also called their own name, "Flicker, flicker!" I was walking down Nob Hill St. when I saw this fellow perched in such a way that I could play around with the Space Needle beyond.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Lighthouse Roasters

It's iced coffee drinks and iced tea all around on this beautiful, warm, sunny afternoon at Lighthouse Roasters, a very popular Phinney Ridge neighborhood gathering place. Housed in an older wood frame building on a corner in a predominantly residential area, Lighthouse is as low key an establishment and as fine a quality as you are ever bound to find in Seattle. They roast on premise in very small batches.Their customers appreciate it .

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Lake Union Park: Under Development

It was fun to get this bird's eye view of the new waterfront park in the South Lake Union/Cascade neighborhood. Being married to a wooden boat lover, I've spent a lot of great family time at the adjacent Center for Wooden Boats. It looks like some of the park's hardscape includes boat shaped planters in the lawn areas (see full plan here). The new Safeco pedestrian bridge in the lower left of the photo leads to meandering park space along the Westlake shoreline. The Seattle Streetcar SLUT line stops at Lake Union Park, and I predict after the park receives its finishing touches in 2010 it will become well utilized for events and much appreciated by Seattlites.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Metropolitan Street Style

Two scooter riders were waiting for the light. This red and white Metropolitan was halfway through its turn before I noticed the rider's distinctive style choices: red suede ankle strap platform heels, vintage brown barkcloth tiki print dress with inverted pleats, up-to-the-minute spring green knit 3/4 sleeve cardigan, knit striped scarf, black leather gloves with red lace detail, all topped by a black helmet.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Sundae Kiss

I was standing on the bank of the ship canal near Google's offices and had just taken a shot of the Fremont Ave Ice Cream Cruise boat chugging past the Fremont Bridge when I happened to look up the bike path and saw this couple sitting on a boulder overlooking the water, eating ice cream and smiling at each other. And then . . . Ah, an inspiring sunny, relaxed spring Sunday.