10:00 a.m. [Click on sketch to view larger]

Hundreds line streets to watch procession for Seattle officer.

11:26 a.m. [Click images to view larger]

It took 10 years for members of the Discovery Modelers Education Center to finish this 13-foot-long model of Captain Vancouver's HMS Discovery. The handcrafted replica, complete with figurines of the British explorer and his crew, is on display at the old Navy armory in Lake Union. The hand-stitched linen sails alone took a year to put together.

The group of ship modeling enthusiasts was started in the mid 1990s by Judie Romeo and Colleen Wagner, who I met this morning at the Modelers' offices in the old armory. Wagner and her husband, Dick, also started the Center for Wooden Boats in 1968 "on the back of our house-boat," she said.

The crew of the HMS Discovery charted the entire coastline from Los Angeles to Alaska during their exploration of the Pacific from 1791 to 1795, explained Wagner.

"They put us on the map. They opened the seaways the same way Lewis and Clark opened the landways," she said.

Talking to her this morning, I also learned that Vancouver named the Puget Sound in honor of his lieutenant, Peter Puget. Vancouver also named other Northwest landmarks in honor of British admirals like Vashon and Rainier. Mount Baker got its name from Joseph Baker, a lieutenant who spotted the mountain first.

"It's important history," Wagner said. "If we can get these ships in a place where people can see them, that's important."

The Modelers' center future is uncertain as they have to relocate from the armory before the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) moves in.

"We are looking for a new home port," Wagner said.

This Saturday, the modelers are hosting a Maritime Family Festival, probably the last one at this location. Visitors can see the HMS Discovery and other models of ships with ties to the Pacific Northwest. You can see modelers demonstrate how to put a ship inside a bottle, take a look at an 8-foot submarine made out of Legos and tour historic boats at the Center of Wooden Boats. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

[Click images to view larger]

I just realized the other day that this blog hit its 6-month mark a couple of weeks ago. My first post here was on April 14 and I showed you a view of the construction in South Lake Union that I had sketched in February (left inset).

Today I'm showing you an updated view (above). The construction of the Amazon new offices is well underway. Now you can only get a peek-a-boo view of Lake Union from where I was standing to sketch this afternoon.

As I look ahead to the next six months, one thing in my mind is to get some new fingerless gloves because it's going to be cold to sketch outdoors. But, what's more important, I'm curious to know your thoughts about the blog. What do you think of the sketcher as a newspaper feature? It's something pretty different from other newspaper stories. It's an illustrated journal of life in Seattle, where I moved three years ago. Sometimes I draw and write about newsy stuff, like light rail, other times I'm curious about the history behind the city's architecture, or meet interesting Seattleites doing cool things that I want to record in my sketchbooks. It's life in Seattle as I see it and draw it.

So, please, drop me a line and let me know what you think. I reply to all emails from readers even if it takes me several days. If you don't get a reply from me, send it again, I will promise not to overlook your message again. And remember you can also follow me via Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for stopping by.

I took my sketchbook to the streets of downtown Seattle to do some interviews. Or you may call them "sketch-terviews." My completely non-scientific sample of voters and non-voters follows below. Only about half the people I stopped on the street agreed to talk to me (c'mon Seattleites, it's only a sketch!) My prediction based on what I heard this afternoon: Mallahan wins for mayor, R-71 passes and I-1033 loses.

In chronological order, here's everyone I talked to.

David Rader, from the Madrona neighborhood, voted for Mallahan for mayor and Dow Constantine for King County Executive. He is "very in favor" of R-71 and "strongly against" I-1033.

Rodger Lyvarger was having coffee with Rader at 5th Avenue Coffee. He has lived in Seattle since 1968. "I am all for the tunnel. It seems like a good idea," he said.

Colin Sauer, of Ballard, thinks there needs to be some sort of a tunnel. He was planning to vote later today.

Micaila Hopkins, of Seattle, said passing R-71 is the main issue for her. She had just cast her ballot for McGinn.

Zeke Hernandez, of West Seattle, said he is still deciding who to vote for. His girlfriend, Huyen Nguyen, of Renton, is not a citizen yet and can't vote.

"I don't really care," said Jim. He had no idea the elections were today.

Anthony, of Tacoma, knew there was an election today, but felt pretty much like his colleague Jim. They were both on a break from work.

John hopes R-71 passes and I-1033 fails.

Nicole Winn is for R-71 and for McGinn, but she wasn't quite sure of his chances.

Jennifer Rotch said both candidates for mayor seem inexperienced. She's voting for Mallahan. McGinn's flip-flop on the tunnel "sealed the deal" for her. She's against I-1033 and for R-71. "Everyone should have the same basic rights that I have as a married person," she said.

Ross Piper said he didn't feel like he's paid enough attention to the issues. Natalie Vause is for R-71. "Everyone should have the same rights," she said.

2:35 p.m. [Click image to view larger]

Seattleite Olivia Tarr took interest in my drawing as I leaned up against a light pole and sketched this view. I told her about my 'where's the sketcher' Friday blog posts -- see previous ones here and here -- where I ask the readers of the blog to guess where I did the sketch and share what they know about the location. "Everybody is going to guess it," she said about this location, adding that this clock is a landmark in itself.

Maybe I have to step up the difficulty level. But for now, even if you know where I was, perhaps someone can give us more background about this interesting clock shaped like a question mark.

And speaking of clocks, remember to turn yours back one hour Sunday morning.

Happy Halloween!

New to the blog?
Read my first post, where I introduced myself. You may also follow the sketcher on Twitter and Facebook.

6:12 p.m. [Click image to view larger]

A view of Boeing's main factory building in Everett from across freeway 526 a few hours ago. I have a couple of friends who work here. I hope they don't have to move to South Carolina. (Today's news.)

You can always count on me for an opinion on design and urban aesthetics. I actually kicked off my sketcher feature in the paper with some ranting about the ugliness along Aurora Avenue.

Today I thought I'd offer you a couple of unbiased sketches of our mayoral candidates' campaign signs.

10:07 a.m. [Click image to view larger]

I have to give it to McGinn for hanging this one from a rusty old motel sign on Aurora Avenue, where his campaign headquarters are located. You can still read the neon words "sleep off the hiway" on it. The blocky blue type stands out nicely if you are driving or walking by the not too pedestrian-friendly artery, but the overall design is pretty forgettable.

2:04 p.m. [Click image to view larger]

Mallahan's campaign had an understated sandwich-board sign at the corner near its headquarters on Eastlake Avenue when I stopped by this afternoon. The design shows him sporting a green shirt and blue tie and his head makes the letter "O" in mayor. A crowd of silhouetted people stands in front of Seattle's skyline, in case anyone forgot where the Space Needle is.

Neither sign passes my test of efficiency in carrying a message and they will be easily forgotten after Tuesday's election.

Sketched Oct. 22, 3:42 p.m. [Click image to view larger]

I've been sketching a few sculptures lately (Team Effort at the Museum of Flight, Hammering Man, a temporarily crated-up Christopher Columbus, and even the Little David that SAM is using to promote their Michelangelo exhibit.) Here's the one of Chief Seattle at 5th Avenue and Denny Way. Another city discovery for me. It was erected in 1912 after the Denny regrade (See article at HistoryLink.org).

Update: Read an interview with Chief Seattle by my Times colleague Bill Kossen. It will make you smile.