Free Seattle: Volunteer Park Conservatory

My pal Chuck in San Francisco recently blogged about a free thing I should do with my free time here in Seattle: visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory. So I did.



It was nice and warm in there. I should go back in December.











































Then walked around Volunteer Park on this beautiful fall day.

More Cheap South End Fun: Western Bridge

Friday I finally checked out Western Bridge, a free art "venue" in Sodo.

I love their stealth front door -- clever!



The main exhibit right now is this huge white-on-white painting that stretches across the walls and onto the floor. It looks like shadows of trees coming in through big, high horizontal windows. Which confused me a little at first since the building does have big, high horizontal windows. Except it's on 4th Ave. South, so there are no trees around. (Also, a shadow would bend at the corner.) It's like a trompe l'oeil for the stupid and/or unobservant.



Another exhibit featured very dark photos of the banks of the Amazon. I didn't love the art, but I did love the building itself and decided that I wanted to live there.



This feeling got much stronger when I wandered into the living area upstairs.



The other two patrons were hesitant to enter this section, as it didn't seem like people were supposed to come in. But I told them they had to because it was the best part.

The tub is sunken into the cement.





This place belongs on the hipster street of dreams.









And it's just two blocks from Costco!

Western Bridge is open noon to six, Thursday - Saturday. It's located at 3412 Fourth Avenue South. 206-838-7444. Admission is free.

Cheap South End Fun: Museum of Communications

I'm in the middle of a five-month, mostly unpaid maternity leave, so I've been searching for cheap (or better yet, free) things to do nearby with the baby. Tuesday I went to the Museum of Communications in Georgetown.





Every Tuesday until 2 p.m., volunteers give free tours of this old telephone station.



I'd tell you what I learned, but most of it went over my head. But still I had fun looking at all the displays of cool old stuff.

Cordless phone circa 1964.





Remember this voice?



The Museum of Communications is located in Georgetown at 7000 East Marginal Way South (at Corson), telephone 206-767-3012. Museum hours are Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and by appointment. The museum is handicap accessible. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Coyotes Kill Pets on Beacon Hill

A neighbor who lives near Beacon and Columbian says she saw a coyote kill a tortoise shell cat in her front yard in broad daylight. She sent this photo of her cat keeping an eye on the animal.



Anyway, she asked me to remind everyone to keep your cats indoors to keep them safe from the coyotes that roam our neighborhood. Her mail:

Yesterday a coyote came to my garden and roamed for about 2 hours (from 8 to 10 am), after killing a cat in my front lawn (had to call animal control to pick up the poor victim!). The cat was a tortoise shell cat, no collar, no microchip; never seen it before.

Animal control has not jurisdiction over wild animals, but they said that as long as the animal is not injured and representing a treat to the public, fish and wildlife just leave them alone. I took a picture of my cat looking at the coyote, picture is attached.

I wanted to post this message at the listserv, but the message gets rejected. Could you please post this for me, if it is not too much to ask?! I just want people to know so they do not leave their cats go outside and become a victim of the coyote. BTW, the coyote was gorgeous and skittish. Thanks!

Cell Phone Antennas by Jefferson Park

T-Mobile was discouraged by the Jefferson Park Alliance's vehement opposition to their putting up a tower in the park itself, so now it looks like they're putting up antennas on the apartment building across the street.

Sorry I'm late on this -- the comment period just ended, though it says it can be extended to 10/15/08 by written request.

Click on the photo to see a version large enough to read:



Or trust my transcription here:

NOTICE OF PROPOSED LAND USE ACTION

Master Use Project # 3009423
Address: 1756 S. Spokane St.
Applicant Contact: Catherine Funtanilla
Phone #: 206-490-3813

DPD IS CONDUCTING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING PROJECT:

To install a new minor communication utility (T-Mobile) consisting of three panel antennas on the roof of an existing residential building. Equipment cabinet to be located in basement.

The comment period ends 10/1/08 but may be extended to 10/15/08 by written request. To submit written comments or to obtain additional information, contact Seattle's DPD, 700 5th Ave., Ste 2000, PO Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019. Contact by phone (206) 684-8467 or email PRC@seattle.gov. Be sure to refer to project #3009423.

Advance Tickets for Georgetown Haunted History Tour

Since last year's tour was crazy successful, with people (well, me at least) begging to get in the last Brew House tour, the Friends of Georgetown History are selling advance tickets and expanding the tour to two nights with four tours each night (October 24 and 25). Hurray!

Here are some photos I took during last year's tour.

VP Debate Party at Grown Folks

An invitation from your neighbors at Grown Folks:

Since the last debate party at Grownfolks was such a hit, we're going to
have a gathering there for all of the Presidential/VP debates. Hope to see
you this Thursday!

Biden/Palin VP Debate
Watch it at Grownfolks Coffeehouse
Thursday, October 2
5:30 - 7:30

Grownfolks Coffeehouse
4878 Beacon Avenue South
Seattle, 98144

Beer, Wine, Coffee, Sodas, Juice, Sandwiches and Salads will be for sale
Plenty of on site parking.
Take the #36 if you're going by bus

Grownfolks is a great coffeehouse and restaurant with two flatscreen tv's on
which we can all watch Thursday's debate. Bring the kids, have some snacks
and grab a beer. It's going to be a relaxed and fun neighborhood evening.