Local News

Sketched May 16 and May 21, 2012
From the outside, the Haller Lake Community Club blends in with the lush landscape of cedar trees near the small and quiet lake in North Seattle. Step inside and you’ll discover a unique arts venue where they turn up the volume every once in a while.
Members of the Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society come here for “Pizza and Pipes.” They unbox a historic Wurlitzer pipe organ and delight audiences with pizza, show tunes and silent-movie comedies.
Theater organs may be old instruments — they were made to go with silent movies — but organist Jo Ann Evans said they sound like a full-blown orchestra, and people of all ages are wowed when they listen to one.
You can hear it for yourself at the club’s 90th birthday party June 7, or at Pizza and Pipes on June 9.

Links
Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society events schedule at www.pstos.org/events/.
Haller Lake Community Club info at hallerlake.info/.

Haller Lake’s artistic activities don’t end with the pipe organ concerts. The day I visited, the parking lot was full of the SUVs of moms who were attending a “Nurturing Baby” dance class with their infants. Instructor Terry Goetz explained that the class is part of the educational activities of the Creative Dance Center, which has used the Haller Lake clubhouse since the 1990s.
Longtime Haller Lake neighbor Marita Niemann, who was setting up the parking lot sign with the club’s 90th birthday announcement, said it’s exciting to see younger generations use the facility.
What has drawn your attention around Seattle lately? Send me your suggestions of interesting places and people to sketch via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter. Have a great weekend!

Sketched May 16, 2012 [Click to enlarge]
I drove and walked around this small lake in North Seattle several times before finally finding the slice of shoreline that is open to the public. Haller Lake is certainly a hidden lake, and for those who are lucky enough to live around it, a true oasis of nature in the middle of the city.
I was almost done with my sketch when Devona Hutsell approached me with her chihuahua, Chica, and asked me to add her to my drawing. The result turned out to be rather “grande” in scale compared to the rest of the scene, but Hutsell seemed pleased. She said this lake is a well-kept secret. “The only people who know it are the people who grew up here.”
My sketching also drew the attention of Angélica Cortés kids. They liked what they saw, and I was excited I could talk to them in Spanish. Unlike my own kids, who understand when I speak to them in my native language but reply to me in English, Cortés children were completely bilingual.
Once you find it, the public shoreline access at the end of N. 125th Street has a couple of picnic tables and benches.
Coming up: Haller Lake Community Club celebrates its 90th anniversary on June 7. Stay tuned for more sketches.