The call for artists to design the 46th Street Mural Project has been narrowed down to three finalists.  On Tuesday, March 2, the community is invited to meet artists Susan Brown, Todd Lown and Kristen Ramirez at an open house where they will each share their ideas for a mural to brighten the underpass under Highway 99 (Aurora Ave) at 46th Street.              (Logo by Bob Suh)

The project received an award from the Department of Neighborhoods’ Small and Simple Projects Fund in January.  Some guerrilla art appeared on Thursday afternoon, reminding people of the project that is slated to begin this summer.  The hand-painted signs mark the area near where the mural will be created.

(Photo by Linda Clifton)

Tuesday’s meeting to meet the 46th Street Mural Project finalists is at the Fremont Abbey (4272 Fremont Ave) from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and will also be an opportunity for the artists to hear what the community would like to see.  Light refreshments will be provided by Lighthouse Roasters and Marketime.  For more information and updates on the project, visit their Facebook page.  (Thanks to Kirby for the photos!)

The annual Spring Fecal Fest is here again. The popular Zoo Doo has been piling up and the “Prince of Poo” is ready to get rid of the “most exotic and highly prized compost in the Pacific Northwest,” as the zoo calls it.

Photo courtesy Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo
To enter for a chance to buy some of this steamy Zoo Doo or Bedspread (similar to Zoo Doo, but with higher amounts of wood chips and sawdust), send in a postcard from March 5 through March 20.

You are only allowed to send in one postcard for each drawing. For Zoo Doo, mark your postcard “Zoo Doo.” For Bedspread, mark your postcard “B.S.” Entry cards will be selected randomly for as many entrants possible. Dr. Doo will contact the lucky drawn entries only. Send a standard postcard to:
Dr. Doo
Woodland Park Zoo
601 N. 59th St.
Seattle, WA 98103.

Include the following information:

• Name
• Day and evening phone numbers
• Preference: Zoo Doo or Bedspread
• Amount of Zoo Doo or Bedspread you’d like to purchase (anything from a garbage bag to a full-size, pick-up truck load)
• Weekday or weekend preference for pick-up

The cost for Zoo Doo and Bedspread: Pick-up truck 8×4 bed: $60; 6×4 bed: $45; 6×3 bed: $35. Limit one full truck per person. Garbage cans: $8 to $10 depending on size; bags: $4 to $6 depending on size. Two-gallon and pint-sized buckets are available anytime at the ZooStore for $14.95 and $4.95, respectively.

Pick-up dates for Zoo Doo or Bedspread begin April 16 through May 2. The lucky winners load the compost, using shovels provided by the zoo.

In the spirit of the carnival season, Hale’s Palladium is hosting its first Vicars & Tarts themed costume party this weekend on Saturday, February 27. 

The popular English tradition (made memorable by Bridget Jones’ bunny outfit) is a party where men dress as clergy and women as tarts – or even the other way around.  Saturday’s Vicars & Tarts party will feature live music, a dance floor, cabaret acts and, of course, a costume contest.  Cost is $15 with a costume, $20 without one.  The Palladium is located in the back warehouse of Hale’s Brew Pub (4301 Leary Way NW, Fred Meyer side).

Graffiti has been a concern for Fremont in the past.  People have woken up to find their cars and homes tagged.  The Bridge Mural under Aurora has been damaged more than once.

We are collaborating with The Seattle Times and its news partners on a graffiti-related piece and we’d like to know your thoughts: Do you think there is a graffiti problem in Fremont?  Where are the trouble spots?  Is this a growing concern?  Has it gotten better or worse?  Are any groups in the neighborhood monitoring or cleaning it up?  Is there an effective way to keep taggers away?  Post your thoughts in the comments below or email tips@fremontuniverse.com.

Updated: Police and medics responded to a report of a man stabbed in the back at the 7-Eleven at Stone Way and N 40th St. just after 6 p.m.

Police say the stabbing was the result of a fight between a man with a crowbar and a man with a knife. The victim, a man in his 50’s, was treated just outside the front door of the 7-Eleven and rushed to the hospital. He’s expected to survive his injuries.

Police are looking for the suspect, believed to be driving a white Mustang with a female front seat passenger. The Mustang had at least two windows smashed out by the subject wielding the crowbar. Other than the vehicle, officers say they don’t have a suspect description.

This is the last week to see your favorite creatures that go bump in the night at Woodland Park Zoo.  The zoo’s Night Exhibit closes its doors on Monday, March 1.

(Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo)

Several animals will transfer to other exhibits within the zoo.  Currently the north end of the Adaptations Building is closed to make modifications to house the Rodrigues fruit bats (seen above), tamanduas and springhaas that will move there.  Construction is also being done for a new meerkats exhibit that brings them back to the zoo after a 10-year absence.  Both the meerkat exhibit and Adaptations Building will re-open on May 1.

Closure of the Night Exhibit is due to the need for the zoo to reduce annual expenses by $800,000 to $1 million in order to prevent a budget shortfall.  Since the Night Exhibit’s closure date was announced, the community has donated $5,500 to help modify existing areas for the remaining animals and to support their long-term care.  Donations are still being accepted online or by mail to the “Nocturnal Animal Fund” at Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St, Seattle WA 98103.

This is a reminder that there is a community meeting tonight (February 22) to brainstorm ideas for development of the Troll’s Knoll.  Friends of the Troll’s Knoll is applying to the Seattle Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund, which will award up to $7 million for community initiated park development or property acquisition projects. 

The main goal for tonight’s meeting is to finalize the site development plan in order to complete the application that is due April 1.  They welcome any ideas for shaping the space surrounding both sides of the Fremont Troll.  Back in October, Friends of the Troll’s Knoll received a $6000 matching grant from the Department of Neighborhoods Small and Simple Projects Fund.  There are plans for a tree planting event sometime in April.  I’ll keep you posted when they set an exact date.  If anyone would like to volunteer for that or a number of different opportunities, call Kimberly Scrivner at 253-732-0885.

Tonight’s meeting is being held at Fremont Baptist Church (717 N. 36th St) from 6:30-8 p.m.  The meeting room is on the east side of the building at the bottom of the ramp.  You can find more information on the progress of the Troll’s Knoll project on their Facebook page or read this article here.

The right hand, southbound lane of the Aurora Bridge will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (February 22-24) of this week.  Seattle Department of Transportation says the lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon each of those days so crews can repair the exterior surface of a bridge column.

The 16th annual Brazilian Carnaval hits Nectar Lounge (412 N. 36th St) on Saturday night.  This year’s theme is “From Chiquinha to Ivete” and honors Brazilian female songwriters.

The show features internationally renowned Brazilian recording artist   Eduardo Medonça and performing ensemble Show Brazil!, who will perform compositions from both Chiquinha Gonzaga and Ivete Sangalo.  Show Brazil! is a musical troupe known for performing carnaval music that depicts Brazilian carnaval’s vast history from the early-1900s to present day.

The show starts at 9:00 p.m. and doors open at 8:30.  Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

You may have noticed the construction taking place outside Kaosamai Thai Restaurant (404 N. 36th St) for the last week or so. 

An employee tells me they’re expanding the restaurant, as well as making improvements to the deck for outdoor dining.  Construction is expected to last a couple of months but the restaurant will be open while renovations take place.  Of course, you can always catch one of Kaosamai’s mobile lunch trucks at the Shell gas station east of SPU or at The Center for Wooden Boats near Lake Union, too!  (Thanks Robby for the tip and pictures!)