Lots of local films, new and archived, at Northwest Film Forum. Kickoff party is this Friday, and the festival runs through the 8th. Full schedule here, Regina Hackett on the "Movement in Place" shorts package here, and the festival trailer is below.

The Sound Transit art installations in the empty storefronts along broadway are slated to come down on October 31 (and eventually make way for the ST light rail station). The art is mostly smart, especially in the ways it uses the vacant spaces. Walk South from John Street, it ends a little ways past Denny. It's a nice walk because of the art, and it also gives you a reason to stare hard at the buildings before they come down.

The photos are of Jason Puccinelli's intallation in the former T&T Hair Salon.

This report just in from Robin R. on 25th Avenue E. on the lower East side of Capitol Hill. This isn't the first time coyotes have come out of the woods of the Arboretum to attack neighborhood pets.

Around 3:30am this morning Jack, our beautiful and sweet neighbor's cat, was attacked and killed by a pack of 3 coyotes. I woke up to a loud bang and jumped out of bed to find out what was going on. I did not see anything, but 5-10 minutes later I hear a horrible scream and ran outside. I was shocked to see 3 coyotes running down the block from my house. I chased and yelled at them and they dropped a cat, Jack, just barely alive. My husband followed me out and stayed with Jack while I went to wake up Jack's owners, Jacqueline and Cole. While David was with Jack, the 3 brazen coyotes kept coming back. Sadly Jack died soon after that. For quite some time we watched the 3 coyotes running up and down the street, sidewalk, multiple yards over and over again. They were not afraid of us, just cautious. I was more afraid of them. Obviously they are very hungry and/or have little ones to feed. Last year Karen, JMark and Jasmin's beautiful boy, Thomas, was also killed by coyotes. The city will not do anything about this. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I will be calling the city again. And locking down our cats at night. I just wanted everyone to be aware.

In the meantime we mourn Jack who spent a lot of time around our house and went on regular walks with Calli (my greyhound), Jean Claude (the white cat many of you know), and me.

In an annual migration of epic proportions, Susan Robb's Toobs return to Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill.

This Friday, August 15, 11:00am - 5:00pm at Volunteer Park on Capitol HIll on 15th Ave. East and E. Prospect.

This is the second performance of Warmth, Giant Black Toobs at Volunteer Park since their appearance last year in 2007.

Would anyone be alive to hear it?

We had a storm last week, could it have been hit by lightening?

Sam was able to enjoy a bit of climbing before the cemetary staff removed the tree from the road.

I know that I will be attending this fete conceived by La Spiga, co-owner and chef Sabrina Tinsley and co-owner Pietro Borghesi. They are a delight to have in the recently restored Piston and Ring Building. I also know I lamented regularly when they were between locations in 2006.

La Spiga will invoke a Romagnolan street scene during its inaugural Ferragosto. Typically held on Aug. 15, Ferragosto marks the height of summer, and Italian communities worldwide gather for copious amounts of food, drink and entertainment. For Roman Catholics, Ferragosto is also the day the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven and is therefore considered a major holiday.

In honor of Ferragosto, La Spiga will raise its garage-door façade and bring the street festival indoors by transforming the bar, back patio and mezzanine into stations for Italian street foods, wines and beers.

Aug. 17, 4 – 9 p.m.

$30 per person for food; tax, gratuity and drinks are excluded; cash or check only. Specialty imported Italian beers and wine will be sold at stations throughout the restaurant. Cocktails will be available at the cash bar. Space is limited. Call 206.323.8881 or email hello@laspiga.com to make a reservation.

continue reading

It's that time once again when they close off the street and charge us $18 just to walk through the neighborhood. However, I guess the 5 musical stages and 30+ bands make it all worthwhile.

Capitol Hill Block Party

The premier of this performance is on Thursday, and then it runs Thurs-Sun through June 8th. Info from the Seattle U calendar here.

I saw this performed as a work in progress a few months back. Whiting has a solid roster of dancers working on this project, which I think is the last thing she'll do with Seattle U, where she's had a residency for the last 3 years.

I'm excited for this show. I'm also excited to finally see the visual art exhibition "Bookish," which is up at Lee through June 21.

Lots of great Seattle artists, great food, good cause. 11am to 8pm Thursday, May 22nd at 1121 23rd Avenue East on Capitol Hill.

The election for the new officers for the Capitol Hill Community Council is next month on June 5th at the Capitol Hill Arts Center.

With that in mind, meet the CHCC officer candidates at Smith at 332 15th Avenue East on Capitol Hill, tonight, Wednesday, May 14th from 6:30 till 8:30pm.

Have a beersky, maybe a little poutine or some exotic meatstuffs, shake hands with your Capitol Hill Community Council Candidates, have another beersky, repeat.....