May 22, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Wagner's 200th birthday celebrated with opera singalong
Posted by Alexa Vaughn
In the shower or in the car -- with the windows rolled up -- weren't the only places amateur Seattle opera singers could perform Wednesday night.
More than 200 Seattle opera fans belted out classic Wagner pieces at the Seattle Center Armory. The Seattle Opera's Wagner singalong celebrated the composer's 200th birthday and the opera's upcoming August performances of the "Ring" cycle.
Led by Seattle Opera chorusmaster Beth Kirchhoff, children and adults at all levels of talent sang loud, surprisingly beautiful renditions of the Wedding March from "Lohengrin," Entrance of the Guests from "Tannhäuser" and, because it was Verdi's bicentennial as well, the "Libiamo" from "La Traviata."
Then, both opera singer wannabes and comedians sang their best version of the "Hojotoho" war cry sang by Viking hat-wearing Brünnhilde. Some almost came off as professionals, but not quite as professional as the last surprise contestant: Alwyn Mellor, who plays Brünnhilde for the Seattle Opera.
Of the Hojotoho contestants, Mellor said, "That's one of the hardest things to sing and for them to do it in front of all these people -- it's really brave."
ALEXA VAUGHN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Emili Rice, 13, of Seattle dressed up as Brünnhilde for the Wagner singalong Wednesday. She says she's been in love with opera since she was 4.
ALEXA VAUGHN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Christopher Chambers, 60, of Seattle's Georgetown won the "Shower Singer Award" for his rendition of Viking-hat wearing Brünnhilde's "Hojotoho" war cry.
ALEXA VAUGHN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
The more than 200 opera lovers led by Seattle Opera chorusmaster Beth Kirchhoff in the singalong came prepared.
May 22, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Postcards from the past: West Seattle Hi-Yu, 1962
Posted by Heather Trimm
Richard S. Heyza / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Oink, a 350-pound singing pig, playfully pushed a baby carriage July 19, 1962, at the opening of the four-day 12th annual West Seattle Hi-Yu in West Seattle Stadium. Dave Callow, 4, was in the carriage. Sturdy, isn't it? Standing, from left: Tom Espinosa, 9; Lorraine Turrell, 7; Jackie Hermann, 4; Carrie Costello, 4; Chuck Herman, 6, and Patty Best, 7.
West Seattle Hi-Yu is a non-profit organization established in 1934.
Postcards from the past is an occasional feature, highlighting images from The Seattle Times historical archive.
To read more postcards from the past or to purchase prints, visit the gallery
May 21, 2013 at 8:19 PM
Seattle Aquarium's harbor seal gets in the act
Posted by Dean Rutz
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Siku, one of three resident harbor seals at the Seattle Aquarium, wanted to join the construction-worker portrait in the new habitat that she and two companions will occupy. The new habitat opens to the public June 1. Turner construction workers Baird Lehman, left, Aaron "Rambo" Weston, Robb Rankin and Ian Hamm pose with Siku. Siku, Barney and Q were relocated to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma during the construction project. Their new pool has more than 30,000 gallons of water with seating for 100 around the glass panels. Harbor seals are native to Puget Sound and key players in the ecology.
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Seattle Aquarium's resident harbor seals were introduced to their new 30,000 gallon habitat on May 21, 2013. The new exhibit, which opens June 1, will have perimeter seating for 100 guests.
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Returning to a new habitat that opens to the public June 1, resident harbor seals explore the more than 30,000-gallon habitat at the Seattle Aquarium.
For more photos, visit the gallery.
May 20, 2013 at 9:22 PM
Star Times 2013 spring sports all-area team
Posted by Marcus Yam
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
From top are three of this season's Star Times athletes: Madi Schreyer, a pitcher for Woodinville High School's softball team, Trever Morrison, a baseball shortstop for Archbishop Murphy of Everett, and Xahil McDonald, a center back for Chief Sealth's boys soccer squad.
The theme for the Star Times portraits I made this year is "darkness and light." The idea was to photograph the athletes in a way that would make them look aggressive and stoic, but also project a sense of calmness and confidence in their portraits. The contrast of the backgrounds allowed for the athletes to either fade into darkness or step into the light.
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May 19, 2013 at 6:22 PM
Trikes race down Queen Anne Hill for beer
Posted by Marcus Yam
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Racers begin pedaling at the start of the annual Trike for Beers event on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Traditionally held the Sunday after Mother's Day in May, participants zip down Queen Anne Hill on 3-wheel, human-powered tricycles to the finish line at Streamline Tavern on W. Mercer Street. For more information, visit trikeforbeers.com.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Misty Nickel maneuvers her tricycle to the start line in preparation to race down Queen Anne Hill for the Trike for Beers event in Seattle, on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
The Trike for Beers race ends when all the participants have crossed the finish line. Racers linger at the Streamline Tavern on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Caroline Kenny, background center, listens to instructions at the starting line of the Trike For Beers event on her animal-print tricycle on Sunday, May 19, 2013 in Seattle.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Chris Kurt crosses the Trike for Beers finish line in his modified wheelchair-tricycle in front of the Streamline Bar at the bottom of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Traditionally held the Sunday after Mother's Day in May, participants zip down Queen Anne Hill on 3-wheel, human-powered tricycles. For more information, visit trikeforbeers.com.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Closing in on the Trike for Beers finish line, Caroline Kenny crosses the street on her animal-print tricycle, as she races towards the Streamline Tavern in Seattle on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Mark Siano finishes last with his flat wheeled Radio Flyer tricycle as he makes his way to the finish line at the bottom of Queen Anne Hill for the Trike for Beers event in Seattle on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
For more photos, visit the gallery.
May 19, 2013 at 5:25 PM
Family fun at University District Street Fair
Posted by Bettina Hansen
BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Michael FitzPatrick of Vashon, center, makes a golden sword for Mack Dowling, 2, of Spokane, while his mom Allison, left, and brother Brady, 4, in the dinosaur hat, look on at the 44th annual University District Street Fair Sunday, May 19, 2013. Michael and his wife Miriam FitzPatrick, far right, have been twisting balloons at the street fair together for the last 18 years. If you count the years he spent as a musician, Michael has been performing at the street fair for 25 years total.
BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Gina McCauley knits a future Snooter-Doot at the 44th annual University District Street Fair Sunday, May 19, 2013. The Snooter-Doots are whimsical soft-sculpted creations made out of felted wool, and they each have a story. "They aren't for sale, they're for adoption," said McCauley. The Snooter-Doots stemmed from a story her then five-year-old daughter told her 30 years ago, that she expanded upon. "I didn't know what they looked like then, but thirty years later, here they are," she said. More information at snooter-doots.com.
BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Nathan Akre, 24, sings and plays guitar with his golden retriever while people browse vendors at the 44th annual University District Street Fair Sunday, May 19, 2013.
BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Makenzi Wheless, 15, of Bothell, chops onions and peppers on the grill for Pat's Philly Cheesesteak Stand at the 44th annual University District Street Fair Sunday, May 19, 2013.
BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Antoinette Hippe of Seattle applies henna to Ashlynn Ashcrofte at the 44th annual University District Street Fair Sunday May 19, 2013. Hippe has been practicing Henna art for 13 years and operates out of Magic Magpie Studio in Greenlake.
BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
"One Fine Fool," Jules McEvoy, 30, a performer from Bellingham, dazzles a crowd with his juggling and theatrical skills at the 44th annual University District Street Fair Sunday, May 19, 2013.
May 19, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Community Dinners church serves hot meals
Posted by Heather Trimm
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Hannah Saito, 12, prays at Community Dinners church at the Bitter Lake Community Center Sunday. After the service, the church serves a hot meal to about 150 people from all walks of life - senior citizens, the homeless and the affluent.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Lina Jessen, kitchen volunteer, left, and Brandon Moen, prepare food for more than 100 people at the Bitter Lake Community Center Sunday. Community Dinners church serves about 800 free meals a week in Bitter Lake, Ballard, Fremont, Pike Place and Greenwood neighborhoods. They plan to expand to Lake City, Aurora Avenue, Northgate and the University District.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Steve Alvarez, a 42-year-old homeless diabetic, receives dinner from Charlie Knowlton at Community Dinners church at the Bitter Lake Community Center. Alvarez said the free meals are important to his health.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Tony Hudson, a former fishermen in Alaska, and Carolyn Burdette share a meal and stories at Community Dinners church at the Bitter Lake Community Center. The church, which has been under four different names, celebrated its 90th anniversary on Sunday. Five-days-a-week, the church serves hot meals free-of-charge in different Seattle neighborhoods and shares prayer and stories about Jesus Christ. "Community dinners bring a feast, a family and Jesus," said lead pastor Verlon Fosner. Starting Monday, the church is launching a free dinners from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to anyone in the Seattle community at Pike Market Senior Center.
For more photos from Community Dinners church, visit the gallery.
May 19, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Diversity means opportunity in Tukwila
Posted by Erika Schultz
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Kindergartners, including Christian Fong, center in blue, wait in line for lunch at Tukwila Elementary School. Students speak about 40 languages, representing 20 countries around the world.
Largely ignored, sometimes mocked, and often mistaken as "Southcenter" after the shopping mall that occupies the city's south end, Tukwila has quietly taken its place beside New York and San Francisco as one of the most diverse cities in the country.
Reporter Susan Kelleher explores the once-sleepy suburb of Tukwila in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine feature story.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
In the shadow of Seattle, a man crosses Tukwila International Boulevard to attend Friday prayers at the Abu-Bakr Islamic Center. Many residents believe the center, based in a former casino, has had a positive influence in the community. "They are good neighbors," says Mike Murphy, Tukwila Police public information officer.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Councilman Joe Duffie gives out stickers as part of his weekly running program for students at Tukwila Elementary. Duffie, a former National Guardsman, shipyard employee and custodian, started the program in 1991. Kids run a quarter-mile during recess, working to improve fitness and earn awards such as pencils and notebooks.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Barsha,11, left, and Bandana Sangraula, 9, play around their apartment complix in Tukwila. The girls, whose family is from Nepal, say their school friends speak a variety of languages including Spanish, Nepali and Somali.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Members of the Bhutanese Nepali Christian Community sing during a Saturday worship service at their pastor's apartment in Tukwila. The Bhutanese (some of whom are Hindu and Buddhist) began to arrive in 2008 after living in refugee camps in Nepal.
ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Members of the Bhutanese Nepali Christian Community worship at their pastor's apartment in Tukwila. Many of the Bhutanese refugees were settled in South King County and Everett, said Bob Johnson, executive director of International Rescue Committee Seattle. As of February 2013, about 65,075 Bhutanese have been resettled throughout the United States.
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