Story on my Substack: The Golden Potlatch Riots of 1913

I know this is a long shot, but does anyone have, or know of, any existing photos of Elliot Bay Lumber trucks from 1959-1966? I’ve got one of their 1959 Kenworths, and it’s quite original. The truck was built in Seattle, delivered to Elliot Bay Lumber Co. in October of 59 following a May of 59 order. It worked in Seattle its entire life in revenue service ending with Global Freight and Container running freight from Seattle to Bellevue to Portland until the mid 1980s. I’ve got the original build sheet, but all it says is that they were two tone green, and possibly a customer supplied design. Just figured I’d ask. Picture of the truck in its current state is attached.

My friend, author Jonathan Evison, is currently directing a feature doc about the legendary Pioneer Square all-ages punk club/art space, the Metropolis, which had a brilliant, meteoric eleven-month run from April 1983 to March 1984. It was a watershed moment for the Seattle underground scene, foundational for SO many Seattle artists and musicians. The fact that it was so short lived only adds to the legend. 

They’ve collected hundreds of photos and a bunch of video coverage of the Metropolis itself. They’re now looking for late 70s/early 80s street coverage of pioneer square and downtown in general--photos, super 8, whatever they can find to add local texture to the story. 

If you know any photo sources, or great resources, or have scoured the UW archives, or know any other archivists that might be helpful, please share or connect. Thanks!!

Collage image for Metropolis documentary film project. Check the Sizzle reel!

Above photos are Bruce Lee in 1962 with his first six Jeet Kune Do students. There is only one known remaining student — center front row, #4, Leroy Garcia, also Bruce and Brandon's gravesites at Lakeview cemetey Seattle Washington. Read more about Bruce Lee's table at Tai Tung restaurant 655 South King Street, Seattle Washington

Does anybody know who exactly got these? And is the signature from the artist?

New and improved posters thanks to a friend! Which do you think is better?

EDIT: WE HAVE A WINNER! The SECOND poster is the favorite.

Thank you to everyone who shared their opinion!

Now the Starbucks.

My dad moved into a west facing Capitol Hill street in 1952 with a view of the lake and the I5 construction. He proceeded to design a house near by, completed in '62. He said he watched Governor Rosellini inaugurate the freeway. Years later, when his memory was first starting to fail we where talking about the fair, and he made a comment about how the bridge was not yet complete and they used it as a giant parking lot for the fair, running shuttle busses for people.

Since then, I've often wondered if that was true, or just a fantasy of his. Anybody known anything or have info one way or the other?

I am struggling to reach my audience. I have posters up at Beneath-the-Streets, at the Information Booth in Pioneer Square and I have flyers in some bookstores.

I sell the most tickets through Airbnb Experiences but they take a 22% cut.

I have two tours coming up on July 25, 2PM and July 29, 11AM.

Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your time!

This walk is a benefit sponsored by the Alliance for Pioneer Square, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Pioneer Square Historic District, Seattle’s first neighborhood. This history walk is free, but donations to the Alliance for Pioneer Square are strongly encouraged. Participation is capped at thirty people. Advance registration is required through the EventBright website: Pioneer Square Walk Tickets, Saturday, July 25 • 10 AM - 11:30 AM | Eventbrite

Following the walk, anyone interested in chatting further about Seattle history is welcome to join me for no host libations and/or lunch at Seattle’s oldest saloon, Pioneer Square’s Merchant’s Cafe.

While Seattle has never been home to a formal “mafia” it has certainly seen its share of organized crime going back to its early days when saloons, gambling parlors, and brothels could be found on every corner. Eventually, all of this vice became ingrained into Seattle’s political-judicial system, creating a sanctioned system of corruption known as “tolerance policy” which, in turn, resulted in our own version of the mob led by Frank Colacurcio. During his lifetime, local newspapers bestowed Colacurcio with a variety of titles: “nightlife figure,” “restaurateur,” and “strip club magnate.” The sobriquet most often used though was “crime boss.” He was the inevitable consequence of a city built on sin. Surprisingly, his story has never been fully told before. Snippets of it appeared in the book “Seattle Vice,” but never an official biography. Until now.

I miss *Late Night* Beth's (I can't believe they close at 9pm now!), The Hurricane, Ballard Denny's and Cafe Minnie. So many great times with so many fun people after everything else closed for the night.

Feels as if places like that are few and far between these days.

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Anyone else waxing nostalgic on old friends, dutch babies and flannel?

Context: in 2015 I was working in the International district. Specialties Cafe had a blown up picture on their wall of the Seattle rail yards. A friend and I spend hours talking about that picture and in particular pondering the man in the bottom left corner of that picture, seen here. unfortunately I never thought to look up the photographer or specific information or anything like that. Ive spent HOURS trying to find the full photo online, hoping to buy the rights to print it or buy a print of it or whatever depending on the situation. I know it's a shot in the dark but does anybody recognize this at all? Ive tried the University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections and tried the Seattle Municipal Archives Photo Database and Archives West and either they dont have the photo or I'm just looking in the wrong places. Image searches dont come up with anything either. Anyone have any ideas?

Updated: Sometimes songs start in the strangest places.

One of my favorite things about Singles, besides its incredible soundtrack, is how it pokes fun at struggling band life and everything that comes with it. The musicians in the movie seem to be having a blast lampooning band culture, while remaining authentic.

Jeff Ament described the Poncier titles as songs a young Market busker might write if he grew up in Seattle in the 80s.

So what began as a movie prop in a comedy became something legendary.

(This is the updated post with amendments)

A ✌🏽❤️