In 1953, 15 families formed a food-buying club in Seattle. Over the past six decades, that initial enterprise has grown to be the largest consumer-owned natural food cooperative in the U.S., with over 52,000 members. Here in the Fremont neighborhood, we are fortunate to have one of PCC Natural Market’s 10 stores in the Puget Sound region.

This is a view of the Fremont PCC’s outdoor dining area, a popular place for a quick lunch from the deli, especially when the weather is nice.

After replacing my bus pass at the King County Metro Center in Pioneer Square last week, I began walking back to Westlake Park, where I had intended to sketch. But along the way, I discovered this pocket park at the corner of 2nd Avenue South and South Main that I had not seen before even though it’s been there for 36 years! This is one of the advantages of walking, discovering places that we often drive by without noticing.

This urban oasis is a great place to sit for a while, isolated from the street noise by the cascading sounds of the 22-foot waterfall. The park was designed by Masao Kinoshita of Sasaki Associates and built by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 1978. Jim Casey was one of the founders of United Parcel Service, which was originally formed as American Messenger Service in a saloon at this site.

Water is a difficult subject to draw because it is the color of the paper. We therefore have to draw everything but the water and carefully try to suggest its flow and movement.

I had previously drawn the Fremont rocket in 2011 but this view looking toward the intersection of Evanston Avenue North and North 35th Street appealed to me because of the way it juxtaposes the Fremont rocket and the relatively new Saturn sculpture. The 12-foot diameter globe sits atop the Saturn Building, which houses office and retail spaces. Solar panels atop the rings collect energy during the day while the planet glows at night. In giving preliminary approval to the installation last year, City Council member Jean Godden said with tongue planted firmly in cheek, “I’m concerned that they don’t have enough artwork. At some point, they may want to add a sun or a star.” Just down the street, there are three more orbs outside the Fedex store but Brian Regan, developer of the Saturn Building, said that they were from another galaxy.

Another in a series of Fremont scenes. This is a view from under the canopy of the History House of Greater Seattle at 790 North 34th Street in Fremont, just under and to the west of the Aurora Bridge. Suzie Burke founded the museum in 1998 to celebrate the history, heritage, and art of Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods. Because its motto is “giving every neighborhood a place to tell its story,” the museum allows the residents themselves rather than a curator to define the history and evolution of the neighborhood being featured.

This is the center of Vashon town—the four-way stop at the intersection of Vashon Highway SW and SW Bank Road. On the southwest corner stands The Hardware Store restaurant, the home of “great, good food.” The popular restaurant also hosts a fine bar and art gallery space showcasing the work of island artists. As the name of the restaurant implies, the structure formerly housed the Vashon Hardware Store. Built in 1890, it is the oldest commercial building on Vashon Island and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Designed by city architect Daniel R. Huntington in the Mission Revival style, the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library system has stucco walls, decorative ironwork, and gable and hip roofs covered with clay roof tiles. It was the last Seattle branch library built with funds donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Work was scheduled to begin in 1917, but budget issues and World War I delayed construction until 1921.

Remodeled several times over the years, the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a landmark building by Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board.