seattle pics

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Seattle's Free WiFi Pilot Program Four Years Old

I've heard about the city's free wi fi pilot program started in 2005, hot spots we citizen's help fund through tax $ in partnership with neighborhood business associations who help with utility costs so anyone can access the internet. I was fuzzy on where these locations actually were and happened into this one on S Rainier Avenue, which was an original location along with University Avenue, several parks, and uh, the lobby of City Hall. . .I guess our mayor and city council members need wifi access, but I wonder who else would actually go to the city hall lobby with their laptop? :-) Maybe there's a wide radius for reception around the building. I've never seen these signs before anywhere around town. I hope the merchant association in my neighborhood lobbies to expand the program out our way. Here's a link to all the details of the program and current locations and reports on how the pilot program is going and a possible broadband project.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Bike Works Serving the Community

I just thought it was a pretty little bike shop and was curious about the attractive new awning that creates dry storage space underneath for the bikes hanging on the wall. It wasn't until I looked up Bike Works online that I found this is not just any common bike shop. Their mission: "To build sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling. We teach young people how to fix bikes, reward them with their own set of wheels, and provide affordable bicycle services to the community." Wow! This repair shop cares about its Columbia City and Rainier Valley neighborhood youth and beyond. They also have ventures to benefit all of Seattle and also Ghana. They teach repair classes and riding skills as well as providing repair services, used bikes for sale and parts. They accept donations to support their youth programs and people can volunteer to help in several ways. You can see the small signs that direct you to the "shop" and "classroom," and you can see the actual shop front here. What a great business and good neighbors the folks who run this seem to be. Is there anything like this in your area?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Cue Wind Machine

As promised, here is Les Seattlenes, weekday edition: A fashionable woman leaving work downtown was coming toward me up the hill. As if on cue like a wind machine in a fashion shoot, an evening wind tousled her hair just as the couple on the right passed out of my line of sight and I snapped the shot. Not only did a cool wind come up last evening, but rain has come in with the clouds overnight.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Field of Dreams

We unexpectedly took a drive yesterday and headed northeast to the Cascades, then west out to the tulip fields of Skagit Valley. It was a very beautiful and relaxing day. The tulips were at their peak bloom and the colorful fields were not only a feast for the eyes, but very peaceful. There was a soft spring breeze and quiet all around. This lovely woman passed in front of me and I just had to capture the image of her sari floating with the breeze against all that color.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Ready With the Bow Line

A boat makes its way westward through the ship canal to the Hiram Chittendem Locks at sunset. She was the lone vessel for this evening's operation, but I expect numbers to pick up as we near the opening of boating season next month. I loved seeing that reflected bow and fender in the calm water. (Sorry this post comes late: I thought it was scheduled for Sunday, but I just realized it was stuck in draft instead. Ah, the thechie details!)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sun Show

Colorful blown glass from KOBO Art Garden on display in the afternoon sun above sparkling Elliott Bay at an outdoor stall of Pike Place Market. The clouds have come in and we may have a shower or two today, but it should be bluing up again tomorrow. Perhaps the colors will entice you to come enjoy Seattle's sunny months?

Friday, April 24, 2009

Colorful Decision

She was eying the colors that might go with the purple irises she'd picked out at this flower shop at Pike Place Market. It is such a pleasure to bring home fresh flowers for the weekend from the abundance of offerings throughout the Market. The many flower stalls are a colorful feast for the eyes and easy on the wallet, too. Hey, I recognize those Frye boots from a cycling photo I took a couple years ago :-).