Stories

At the top of my list for this Friday's Belltown Artwalk is Roq La Rue's Lush Life 2. Also be sure to swing by Mark's Vintage shop right next door to Roq La Rue. He serves up an awesome spread that's not to be missed.

New works by Joe Sorren, Chris Berens, Marion Peck, Kris Kuksi, Travis Louie, Brian Despain, John Brophy, Martin Wittfooth, Ryan Heshka, Michael Brown, Charlie Immer, Mandy Greer, Gail Potocki, Laurie Hogin, Boomer, Madeline Von Foerster, Ryan Heshka, Andrew Arconti, and more TBA.

Roq La Rue Gallery

Opening Night Friday, March 12
Show runs to May 07, 2010

This one from the SPD Blotter was just too good...

Hey, did you know that there's another Belltown out there? Looks like a swell place with a similar upswell of self made musical talent...

The newly opened Key Bank had its first unsavory welcome to the neighborhood yesterday in the form of a robbery. Seattle Police are releasing few details beyond the description posted on their blotter;

Belltown is an incredibly diverse neighborhood and I really feel like the site is lacking some additional perspectives. That's why I'd love for people to pitch in and contribute what they'd like. You don't have to post once a week, but if you've got something to share, the neighborhood wants to hear it!

We're looking for the following;

1 - Belltown news writers

2 - Photgraphers

3 - Artists

4 - Promoters

5 - People with a cause

Anyone can post on belltownpeople.com I mean it. This site is meant to be a community bulliten board. My motive for starting it will remain the same, I just want to get the neighborhood dialog going. So, dont be bashful. If you're interested, send me an email. BelltownPeople@gmail.com.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7pm - 9pm (was previously planned for Nov 19)

PACCAR Pavilion, The Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave. (Western Ave. & Broad St.)

Sponsored By The Belltown Community Council (BCC)

 At the September 2009 BCC Open Meeting there was a vote to have a separate meeting specifically about the MID and its potential expansion into Belltown. This Forum is an opportunity to learn more about the MID and it's impact on Belltown in the areas of safety / sidewalk & street trash, grafitti, fees, coverage area, and other neighborhood services.

Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess and Kate Joncas of the Seattle Downtown Association will respond to a series of submitted questions and others taken during this meeting. The discussion should be robust. This meeting relates to tax assessments so everyone should come.

This activity was requested by the Belltown Community so BCC strongly urges all Belltown residents, workers, property owners and businesses to attend. For more details...

The Bell St Park Boulevard meeting was last evening. The discussion was spirited. But, before I get into the munutia of a relevant sort, I thought I would address another pressing matter for the Belltown populace. Fixie vs. Carbon.

Enjoy.

Our friend at Hideous Belltown has the scoop that the condominium building Moda is facing a perilous financial situation.

I received an email from tipster Chad on Friday. He detailed an outlandish story: he was walking by the Moda Apartments on 3rd, between Bell & Battery and saw some rather large men scaling the side of the building on tall ladders, apparently without the knowledge of Moda management. They proceeded to partially dismantle at least five of the building's balconies and throw them into their truck. When Chad asked the guys about it, they said that the Moda owed them $20,000 and they were repossessing the balconies due to lack of payment.

Read More at Hideous Belltown

Calls to Moda Management have not yet been returned.

UPDATE: Got a hold of someone at Moda. She declined to comment and when asked if this was just a maintenance issue, hung up. If you live in one of these units, drop me a note so we can get your side of the story.

This article from the Seattle Times really cracked me up this morning. No, it's not Belltown related in any way, but I found it too funny not to share.

So, should we toss the pooch in the compost bin? Will dog ownership become the new environmental no no? Should I buy shares in Chihuahua stock? (supposing that their carbon footprint is at least smaller). 

Here's a business idea. Create a brand of sustainable dog food and market it to the legions of eco-conscious Seattlites that are sure to panic in their current eco-contradiction.

Hah, and finally to pile on, who is down for organizing an environmental rally at the Belltown Dog Park later this week!?

 Our arrogant news partners from a more hipstery area of the city wrote up an endearing piece on England's band The Heavy. The Heavy plays the Crocodile tonight and are definitely worth checking out.

Like everyone with half a brain, I will be avoiding Belltown this Halloween even more than regular weekends.  But might I interest you in braving the prematurely-dressed Sexy Falcon Heenes and Zombie Billy Mays tonight?  I know, I know, but what if there existed a band to make it worth your while?

more at SunBreak

Halloween is a holiday I've never been able to really get into. Therefore, I'm the wrong son of a b to be writing about the cacophony of Belltown party options available. I have three options for you. If I've left out the most uber epic ftw omg party of the year, please let me know via e-mail or drop it in the comments. Lets hope this halloween is a bit more chill than last year.

Option 1 - Party for a Cause - JustCauz Halloween Bash - JustCauz is a Seattle charity that knows how to throw a party. Their events are a staple of the young Seattle professional. This year, they're taking over the Bell Harbor Convention Center in Belltown. The party lasts till 1 in the morning and is sure to be a good time.Best part about it? All of your money goes to two local charities; Community for Youth and Fusion International.

Option 2 - Dead Baby Halloween Bash $3 with costume, $5 without- Belltown Underground - Local graffiti artists Joey Nix and Weirdo have transformed the anti-Belltown Belltown hangout into a Halloween nightmare. This is Belltown's underground party. Bring your fixie and most audacious costume ideas for a party you'll probably regret.

Option 3 - Edgewater Hotel's Dead Ringer Halloween Bash - The Edgewater is a Seattle icon and what better of a way to celebrate Halloween than a dead celebrity themed Halloween party? Try not to be one of the 27 Michael Jacksons that'll be sure to show up.  For more information call (206) 269-4575)

Reposting this at the courtesy of the Belltown Community Council

We need your help! If you want to make a difference in Belltown tell us your story.  

 

Have you been frightened when walking in Belltown? Did someone follow you or say things that are not acceptable public behavior? While walking down the street did someone ask you for money and then verbally abuse you for not paying? Did a person seem to target you while walking and enter your personal space?

 

We want to hear your story if these or similar activities have occurred to you.

 

 

Councilmember Burgess and the other Councilmember’s need to hear from residents and business owners on aggressive panhandling starting this week if we hope to be able to pass stronger restrictions this fall. For more information click: New Rules For Panhandling

 

We have the opportunity to do something about this issue in Belltown. The BCC hears many complaints and now we have the start of a legislative process to make a difference. Do your part to help us get these new regulations approved by the City Council.

 

Send your story to all of the following Councilmember’s:

 

Tim.Burgess@seattle.gov

Richard.Conlin@seattle.gov

Sally.Clark@seattle.gov

Jan.Drago@seattle.gov

Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov

Nick.Licata@seattle.gov

Richard.McIver@seattle.gov

Tom.Rasmussen@seattle.gov

 

Please send a copy to me at richard.nordstrom@belltowncommunitycouncil.org. This will help BCC follow up with the City Council to promote these new panhandling regulations.

 

Your personal story in your own words are best, but if you who would like some help on what to say in your email / letter feel free to use the following outline:

 

I urge you to support these common sense restrictions on panhandling in Seattle. I am writing to urge you to support stronger restrictions on panhandling in our Belltown community. The prevalence of panhandling in Seattle is getting worse, creating an unwelcoming environment in my neighborhood. I regularly encounter individuals who aggressively ask me for money, making me feel unsafe in my own neighborhood. The proposed restrictions are common sense measures that will make our neighborhoods and business districts safer and more welcoming for all. I believe we have an obligation as a community to help those in need, however, I don’t believe we have an obligation to allow individuals to solicit money from others near ATM’s, bus stops, sidewalk cafes or while they are getting in or out of their car. The current law is ineffective and must be strengthened. It is time for Seattle to impose common sense restrictions on panhandling just as other cities in Washington and across the country have done.

 

Sincerely,

Your name and address

Then it would probably be a little something like The Warehouse Sale, which is coming to the Seattle Center October 30th. If you enjoy being caught in a crushing sea of fashion conscious people, then this is the event you've been patiently waiting for. Don't hesitate, your discounted image perfection requires a free RSVP.

What: The largest fashion sale event on the road.

Where: Seattle Center, Exhibition Hall. Free with R.S.V.P. online.

So there is a little art window/gallery space on Clay in between Western and 1st that i pass on my way to Cherry Street for my morning Latte.  This space always has a creative art display, very pretty and interesting, that catches my attention when i walk by. This week was a different story.

I couldn't just walk by and glance, i literally stopped in my tracks, felt sick to my stomach, and had to stare for a little while to really confirm what  i was seeing.  Babies swaddled with swords that were coming out of the bottom of the swaddling (That tattoo etchings on their faces i did not even notice until two days later).

More after the Jump...

I immediately thought, you cannot put innocent babies looking seemingly serene with sharp blades shooting out of the bottom of their swaddle, that is simply not ok. It made me queezy. Hence the point, i guess. While my stomach was turning, I tried to think of what this art could possibly be trying to convey. I came to the conclusion of maybe babies aren't so innocent or that they are sinful, or that this could represent what pain that they could grow into inflicting on others. As humans, we've all inflicted pain on others in one way or another. But i couldn't really come to any conclusion beyond those. I walked away and the image stuck in my mind. 

Two days later, i was walking by it for the 2nd time and saw a gentleman opening the door to the display with his key. I of course had to stop and ask him if this was his. I mean it is not every day that you see art that really affects you. It was Joseph C. Roberts, the curator, with the Center on Contemporary Art (COCA). He was clearly just as excited to talk about this with me, i was to ask. He told me that children were born into the world tainted by the sins of their fathers... or something along those lines. He then gave me a book published as a supplement to this exhibition. I mean, there is a whole book published as a supplement! I've read it, and it is super interesting. I've included some of it in the links below for you as well. It explains in detail the heart, thought  and artist background behind this exhibition.

If you haven't seen this display on Clay st. between Western and 1st, take a walk and check it out yourself. You've got to see this to believe it. There is also a larger scale showing at the Coca Museum in Ballard until November 14th. 

Allegorical Babies and Violence in Harris Purnomo's Work by Hendro Wiyanto "The big world of unlikely violence is already contained in the small world of the baby."

Harris Purmono: VIsual Poetry by Joseph C. Roberts "I don't know whether i should be afraid of or in love with Haris Purmono's work-and I am afraid to ask; but i do, over and over again."

From KOMO News

Stevens bolted out of her house Sept. 21 with no money and no cell phone. She's been on her own for three weeks, and her parents fear she may have fallen into drugs or prostitution.

"She's not communicating with anybody from her life, and that's frightening," said her mother, Judy Stevens...

Her parents are worried the teen may have moved to Seattle's Belltown neighborhood in the last week based on tips received from her MySpace friends who said she might be with a couple of guys she met on-line.

"These people are 20 to 30 years old, and she's a 15-year-old child," said her father, Jim Stevens.

Henceforth is a list of the titillatingly joyous events we'll remember forever more in weekend lore. Heh, Sorry. I usually put these posts off because there's a lot happening in Belltown and I hate the cascading aura of stupidity when I inevitably forget something or someone that's dear to your heart. However, this weekend I think we've got it pretty much squared away. Of course, if I've proven myself wildly incompetent, feel free to lambaste my efforts in the comments. Or, if you're feeling righteously adventurous, add it to the Calendar your pretty self.

Friday Night

Seattle Repertory Theater - 39 Steps - "The Crew" 6:15-11PM

CoffeeFest - technically all weekend, and technically only for "trade people". But, get a green apron and sneak in the back for your weekend challenge.

Saturday

Decibel Fest - Olympic Sculpture Park - 12-3PM - Fo' Free.

Greta Matassa Quartet - Tula's 8PM

Sunday

Gallery Condo Auction

Kailash Kher - The Crocodile - 8PM (bollywood action, what's better than that?)

43 brand new Gallery condos are on the chopping block this Sunday in Belltown. Are these auctions a good deal? SeattleCondoReview has put together a cheat sheet of the sorts. It seems that the premier units in past auctions go for respectable prices, while the second tier units are usually quite a steal.

I suppose this is only to be expected. The real question is whether this glut of dumped inventory will set a new equilibrium price for Belltown real estate? We'll be sure to feature the results of the auction here - so stay tuned and good luck!

The 2009 edition of Decibel Festival will be taking place in Seattle September 24th through the 27th and will include:

• 100+ performers hailing from 10 countries, 30 of which will be making their NW debut
• Two day conference at the Seattle Art Museum feat. panels, workshops and film screenings
• 30 events, including 13 club events, 8 afterhours, 5 a/v showcases and 2 free park events
• 14 venues across Seattle, 10 of which will be all ages or 18+

The Olympic Sculpture Park will be hosting a dB in the Park event on Saturday from 12PM-3PM. The event is open to all ages. Ticketing information seems to allude to an event specific option. However, we have an unanswered request out there to see if tickets can be purchased for the OSP show alone. Otherwise, it looks like the cheapest option is the $75 weekend pass.

UPDATE: just recieved confirmation from Decibel Fest that ALL park events are FREE!

If you're a fan of electronica, this isn't a festival to be missed. It's amazing how many venues and artists have signed up across the city.

click more for map of venues, etc.

View Decibel Festival 2009 in a larger map

From SeattleWeekly

It may not look like much, but since painting the walls, covering the previous obnoxious bright orange, Hardly Art's Nick Heliotis and Sarah Moody seem pretty happy with the converted closet they use as an office...

the door to this little hole in the wall leads to the Sub Pop office, located on the fourth story of a Belltown office building next door to Dahlia Bakery.

...the folks at Hardly Art have been so successful at signing obscure, if not unknown, new bands and turning them into local scene darlings with the potential to explode nationally. And when they say new bands, they mean new. As in just-home-from-the-hospital new—like the Dutchess and the Duke which signed to Hardly Art with only one 7" to its name. 

It's worth taking the jump to the Seattle Weekly to read the whole article. It's encouraging to know that small labels are still incubating in Belltown.

TechFlash has the scoop that the neighborhood favorite "Copper Cart" will be hosting a StartUp Job Fair for unemployed workers who would like to work for free. The event is designed for "bummed out job seekers - who are willing to work for nothing - for cash strapped startups".

At first, I scoffed and deemed this ridiculous in my prideful mind. Then, I got off my 10 ft unicycle and realized that this would actually be a worthwhile opportunity. If you haven't worked in a while, it's a great chance to keep your skills sharp and immerse yourself in a motivating start-up environment. Not to mention, working for free should lead to networking opportunities and a healthy morale boost.

Tula's is a neighborhood icon. As such, I'm embarassed to say I can count the times I've been inside on one hand. According to an article in the Weekly way back in January, they were hurting. I doubt things have really brightened up considering we're continuing a downward plunge in nearly every economic indicator.

Next Wednesday, Travis Shook makes his comeback to Seattle. All about Jazz has the story of this performer who seemed headed for stardom, only to watch his dreams evaporate into a misguided story of drug and alcohol induced failure.

From AllAboutJazz

“I'm 40 and I feel a lot more comfortable with myself now," said Shook, a fixture on the Seattle jazz scene in the early 1990s and once considered one of the greatest jazz musicians of his generation. “That's all that matters to me. Musically, I'm a much better player than I was. But the main thing is that I'm comfortable with myself. That was my biggest hurdle."

For most, that would seem a small accomplishment, but for Shook, who experienced meteoric success and sudden failure, who was addicted to alcohol and drugs, who was virtually unemployable for a number of years, this is not an insignificant step.

“Comeback," is the word he settled on. Shook will perform next Wednesday night with his trio at Tula's Restaurant & Nightclub in Belltown, his first performance in Seattle in about five years.

From the PI

A development company said Friday it will auction condos at properties in two Seattle neighborhoods at up to 65 percent discounts from previous prices.

On Sept. 27, Schnitzer West will try to sell a selection of condominiums at Gallery, in Belltown, and Brix, at the north end of Broadway, on Capitol Hill...

Also Friday, condo marketing company Realogics announced that The Parc, a 185-unit building in Belltown, had signed a deal to sell its final unit. This is the first new-construction condo building to sell out in downtown Seattle since 2200 Westlake, in 2007, the company noted.

SPD has released the June crime statistics and we did a little number crunching to reflect the downtown beats into a year over year graph. As you can see, it's not an encouraging set of data. Crime is on a generally increasing line, especially petty theft.

From KIRO7

SEATTLE -- A local family has filed at $25 million claim against the King County Sheriff's Department following an incident that left their loved one with catastrophic injuries. Christopher Harris, a 29-year-old Edmonds man, suffered severe brain damage after his skull was fractured when a King County sheriff's deputy tackled him against a wall in Belltown in the early hours of Sunday, May 10. Harris' wife, Sarah Jorgenson, said he is in a permanent comatose state and will never fully recover. She said it will take millions of dollars to care for him for the rest of his life...

Last month, the sheriff's department concluded an investigation of the incident, ruling that the department would not pursue criminal charges against Deputy Matthew Paul, the officer who tackled Harris. Sheriff's department spokesman John Urquhart said officers pursued Harris after a woman who witnessed a stabbing at a Belltown convenience store pointed Harris out to officers. Urquhart said the deputies, who were in full uniform, told Harris to stop and identified themselves as police. They chased Harris for a few blocks until he slowed down in front of the Cinerama at Fourth Avenue and Lenora Street.

 

PI 911 blog  has the scoop - and of course their comments section is aflame with debate on this one.