The two crews rowing were the first ones to pass under the new South Park Bridge. The last photo is looking south where the old Sheet Metal Shop of Plant II, Boeing, was located. During the bridge construction Boeing demolished the long vacated building (whose footprint ran right up the the waters edge, with no set back or buffer zone) and is now cleaning and refurbishing this section of shoreline of the Duwamish River. Pretty amazing transition. The Sheet Metal Shop moved to the city of Auburn, WA. in the mid-80’s-known as the 17-45 building. I actually worked in the 17-45 building for a year, 1999, before being moved to the Everett Plant 67 miles north, where I spent the last two years of my working career with the company. Seems like a lifetime ago.
Category: Thoughts
South Park Bridge Opening
A couple of Sundays ago the new South Park Bridge celebrated its opening. Ceremonies included fire works, parade (photos to follow) and the usual dignitaries. I had been following the project since it started in 2011 and even before. Some of my ‘before’ photos can be seen here, on the King County website. John Stamets, the official photographer for the bridge project, passed away suddenly two weeks before the opening ceremony. Follow his chronicle of the bridge project here. I was fortunate to attend some of the community meetings where John’s Powerpoints were presented. He was great fun to listen to and learn from. He led a rather extraordinary life and I think there is a link to his bio on the page I just linked to. Although the bridge closure and replacement was difficult on the residents and businesses of South Park, I think the people in charge of making it happen and working with the community did an outstanding job. Tim, the chief engineer on site every day, kept his cool and sense of humor throughout all of the setbacks and community frustrations. Ashley DeForest and DeAnna Martin, as Community Relations Managers, were great in dealing with the community and keeping everyone informed. I think the project was lucky to have these individuals working together, along with John Stamets. Tim, the chief engineer, decided to make this his last project and he has or is in the process of retiring. Not many new bridges get built, so I think he felt this was a great way to go out. 
Change of Blog Theme
I felt is was time to update a few links and widgets on my blog. While doing so it seemed like a good time to change “Themes”. The last theme was called “Chateau”, the current theme you see is called “Mystique”. I am at 86% usage of the space WordPress allows me to use for free. It has taken 5 years to get to this point. Once I max out I think I can convert my current blog over to a ‘premium’ account for a small, annual fee, something I plan on doing. The premium account will allow me to add much more to the visual and functional appearance of the blog. Thanks to all for your support and encouragement.
On another note, I will be having a show here in Seattle during the month of September. I will post a reminder and maps as the time gets closer. It will be in the same location as my last show, Capital Hill Hair, which is really a cool art space, in my opinion. I have about 20 framed images and I think most of them will be new or different from the last show I did. More black and white images this time around. Still need a few more images, which I will be working on this summer. It’s a long and torturous process for me (I’d rather go to the dentist!).
Blessings to all,
Bluestar2012 (aka Fred)
Blog Post #2,500!
This is the 2,500th posting I have done on this blog! I never imagined sustaining this effort this long. I thought I would give it a year and see if anyone stopped by to visit and if there were just a few…..well, it probably would have been the end of this experiment. Now, I think this blog has a life of its own and I am just along for the ride.
It has been a unique adventure for me as I normally am a private person. I guess the nature of the internet grants us both exposure and privacy at the same time.
I owe thanks to all of the followers, visitors and friends I have connected with along this journey. THANK YOU!!!
Looking Back Thursday: Keystone Korner, 1970
San Francisco, July 1970. The music venue Keystone Korner. Who remembers Boz Scaggs? How about Bennie Cecil and the Snakes? I think we may have to turn on the ‘Way Back Machine’.
Looking Back Thursday: Telegraph Hill
Looking down Telegraph Hill towards the south. Photo taken in July, 1970. I thought it was really interesting that the sidewalks were actually sidewalk-steps, which made sense considering the grade of the hill. Also, the Bay Windows, I thought, were really neat architecturally. And, the cobblestone street (sometimes there was a layer of cement over the stones, but the cement never seemed to work well)-with all of its bumps, etc. Like stepping back farther in time than even 1970.
Surreal Sign of Spring
You can always tell Spring is just around the corner when high heels start sprouting from trees. Spotted in Lincoln Park, West Seattle.
Signs that Fit
Somehow I think these two signs fit together, although I am not sure how. The location is the oldest ( and one of my favorite haunts ) neighborhoods in Seattle, Georgetown.
Man with Hat-1971
This posting is a total departure from what I would normally do. In 1971 I travelled to San Francisco to visit with a friend who lived in East Oakland, across the bay. I would spend my days walking around San Francisco with my 35mm Agfa camera. These images are scanned from a small print that has spent 43 years in a photo album. You can get a sense of the year by the type of cars and dress that you see. The man with the hat is part of a bygone era. 
Whimsy mixed with…..
Georgetown is an odd mix of light industry, residential, artists lofts and retail space in very old buildings. Fascinating that all of these elements can co-exist and thrive. The brick building is part of the very old Seattle Brewery. Not sure what the plan is, but it looks like this building in the old complex is getting a facelift and some major structural help. The Sandbox is an indoor beach playground for children of all ages. The crow on the bottom image seems to be watching over the Vespa scooter.
Seattle & the Number 12
The number 12, in Seahawk colors, can be seen in a variety of places and forms. The number references the Seattle Seahawk fan base that support the football team. Walking around Alki Point recently I noticed the images below. Seahawk windsocks and even Seahawk duct tape was witnessed!
Determination
Even this metal mesh could not deter some tagger from defacing a building on Alberta St.
Bugs Bunny Should Know about this!
Spotted last week along Albina Ave., NE Portland.
No Clever Title
Try as I might, I can’t think of a witty title for this photo. Probably just as well. I wonder if the woman on her cell, in the background, is calling in an upright bass on the run?
Birthday Bouquet
Today being my birthday I thought I would post some images of one of my favorite vines, clematis. I think it is considered a vine. The flower, anyway, that it produces has always looked cool to me.
Flag
The flag atop the Brooklyn Bridge. If you look closely you can see the year, 1875, between the cables on the stone column. The vanishing point is a little left of center but, what the heck, so am I.
Bluestar2012's Photoblog 