As we've previously written, the new Counterbalance Park in Lower Queen Anne (aka Uptown) has been flickering with new LED lights that were part of the original design. (The park is located at the base of Queen Anne Ave. North, where it meets Roy Street.) But, for a variety of reasons, they've been delayed since the park's ceremonial opening in July. So now there's to be a second opening on Saturday, featuring a band from McClure Middle School, hot cider, and s'mores. (Mmmm, s'mores.) Details as follows:

Counterbalance Park, 2 Roy St., www.seattle.gov/parks. Free. 5-7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 6.

The $1.1 million makeover of the old gas station site, long vacant, was made possible by $300,000 from the 2000 Seattle Pro-Parks Levy, with the balance raised by the Uptown Alliance from various local benefactors. We applaud the effort. But we also wonder why the park is  being rolled out twice, and why it's seemingly being built in stages, and why some portions of the design still haven't been implemented. And, moreover, who gets credit for the LED design versus the landscape architecture: Murase Associates, a Portland firm with a Seattle branch office; or Italian-born Seattle artist Iole Alessandrini? At least one SW reader has suggested she was fired from the project.

So we decided to ask her, and the city, and Murase what's going on with the "urban oasis" (that being the official city suffix to the name--how many other parks get such an honorific?)...
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They're right next to each other, and no one seems to know exactly where one ends and the other begins. So what is the difference between Phinney Ridge and Greenwood? In Phinney, they have sidewalks. In Greenwood, we do not. Phinney has a quaint neighborhood hardware store. We have a Fred Meyer. They have the charming Ken's Market. We have a hideous Safeway. They have twelve dollar cocktails. We have $3 well drinks.

This is Phinney:

This is Greenwood:

Video by Darren Lund.

Gavin Borchert profiled Ingrid Matthews and Misha Schmidt in today's Best of Seattle issue, calling them the Best Violin Masters of the Seattle Universe. In this exclusive performance, the two bring music back to Pier 62/63.

A friend from across the sound was in town Saturday night and after a day of gorgeous sun, the evening was turning into the perfect time for a stroll along Alki. Thinking we could park around Salty�s and walk to the point, pick up a pastry or two and head home, we hopped in the car. 100 yards after turning onto Harbor Ave. we came to a dead stop in the worst traffic I�ve ever seen in the Emerald City, let alone in my normally quiet West Seattle digs. Then three dayglo cars with gleaming rims, doors wide open from the front, and stereos blaring inched their way toward us. �Oh my God,� I exhaled.

I had no idea cruising was an actual thing within the Seattle city limits. It�s nothing new to me, the New Mexico town I called home for a year was designated the low-rider capital of the world by Kurt Loder (I have no idea why he was there.) People would take El Caminos, lower them enough to brush the pebbles off the road, add hydraulics for any bumps higher than an inch, and paint elaborate murals of the Virgin Mary on the hoods. It was a sight to behold. Then on Good Friday, they would drive them slowly through town, turning around at the Wal-Mart, to head back. It was something to behold, an art practiced with tender care and devotion by people who spent the rest of their time bringing in the drugs and violence that gave my town the other distinction of having the highest heroin overdose rate in the country.

So I�ve always been a little fascinated by the whole car/cruising thing, but it wasn�t something I expected to find here. Kids were sitting out the sunroofs, boys hollered at everything in a skirt (we even got a couple of yells, clad as we were in super-sexy baggy pants and shapeless long-sleeved t-shirts.) Further down kids trolled the beaches in packs, mostly looking to nervously spout oversexualized dialogue to each other and share cigarettes someone convinced their older brother to buy. A few were youngsters from Mars Hill, doing pretty much the same thing but hoping to bring someone to church rather than lose their virginity (or maybe both).

I asked one of the cops stationed along the road about the phenomenon--he says it�ll continue all summer. Surprisingly to me the city had sent out a couple of uniforms from the gang unit as well to keep tabs and take names.

The whole thing took on the pall of the surreal when a motorcycle roared past blasting bagpipes. Who knew? The decks of all those fancy condos that I lust for every time I�m down at Alki during the day were empty, residents missing the sunset to escape the noise. It was kind of shocking, a little disturbing and a touch of awesome, jumbled together in a tricked-out Impala. I was kicking myself for not bringing a camera, but next time we have a sunny weekend I�ll go back out all gorillas in the mist and document the wildlife.

Maggie O'Tooles
100th St SW (actually in Tacoma)

Name: Adam Stinson
Age: 24
Lives in: Tacoma

What do you do for a living? Guitarist/Musician and Insulator
What's your band's name? Final Wish
Who's your greatest music inspiration? My biggest inspiration for music is Pink Floyd. But my guitar inspiration is Stevie Ray Vaughn. It's kind of the best of both worlds, I think.
How long has Final Wish been playing together? We have been a band for about four months. Our bassist, Will and I, have been playing together for about two years, one year of which was with our last band, Solstein.
What would you call your musical sound? I don't really know what to call it. I guess the closest sound I can think of is Experimental Epic Black metal.
When is your next show? The next show we are playing is on Friday December 21st live on 89.9 KGRG. But we will be playing again on Saturday January 12th @ Maggie O'Tooles in Lakewood.
Why should people come see you? To simply hear a different composure of music, something that they are not familiar hearing. Even if you don't like the vocals, it's the sound of the music and the way we have composed it that catches the attention of people all ages.
And just for fun, if you were stranded on a deserted island, which band member would you eat first? I would have to say Will, because he complains to much. Plus, if I didn't, I would probably eat myself. Hahaha!

Adam (left) and Kevin (right).

The Twilight Exit
E. Madison and 22nd
Karaoke Sunday

Name: Jack
Age: 25
Lives in: Capitol Hill

What do you do for a living? Accounting. I do a little more, but this makes it sound like I have money.
What music do you like? '80s and reggae.
Where do you shop for clothing? I don't, really. I need new jeans.
What would you call your style? Like really cool. Actually, not really cool.
What brings you to the Twilight? I'm here every Sunday. And more. I'm always here.

Name: Kelli
Age: 22
Lives in: Eastlake

What do you do for a living? I'm a hairdresser. Or stylist, whatever you want to call it.
What music do you like? Everything. Just say Journey, and late '80s hip hop.
Where do you shop? Everywhere and the Internet. Downtown. And Paris.
What would you call your style? Me. I just put on what I own and what's comfortable.
What's your favorite song to sing? Separate Ways

4th Ave and Pike
Name: Paul
Age: 30

Where do you live? Seattle. Go figure.
More specifically? 20th. What, do you want my street address, too?
Where do you work? The Q [as in QFC]. I just had a job interview at Staples.
What music do you like? Lets go with 80's metal.
Where do you usually shop for clothing? Clothing. I haven't gone shopping in a long time. Outlet stores, like Banana [Republic]. I bought some socks at Fred Meyer recently.
What would you call your style? What's that TLC song? Crazy Sexy Cool.
Why can't I take your picture? I don't do pictures. Sorry.

*That's right, I got a picture of your back. We'll be looking for you, Mr. Crazy Sexy Cool.*

4th Ave and Pike
Name: George
Age: 29

Where do you live? On Capitol Hill
Where do you work? Big Fish Games. Right up there (Points up), on the 8th floor.
What music do you like? Every kind. More specifically, psychotic Japanese rock.
Where do you get your clothing? I usually steal them from people. Not really. I get them from stores.
What kind of stores? Clothing stores.
Do these stores have names? Yes.
What would you call your style? I don't have any. My style can't be defined.
What are you smoking? A pipe.
What kind? Menthol.
Reasons for not wanting your picture taken: I don't let anyone take my picture. No one wants to look at me, trust me. What you have is better.

1st Ave and Union
On the Left
Name: Renee
Age: 18

Where do you live? Capitol Hill.
Where do you work? I'm in between jobs. I work for Starbucks, but I just got a job at another coffee place.
What music are you listening to? I listen to a lot of Fiona Apple.
Where do you shop for clothing? A lot of different places. I really like Crossroads on Broadway.
What's the one object you can't live without? My laptop. I guess I could live without it, but I really like it.

On the Right
Name: Pat
Age: 18

Where do you live? Bainbridge Island.
Who is your favorite band or artist? Right now, Iron and Wine.
What do you do for a living? I don't do anything for a living. Play music.
Where do you shop for clothing? Value Village.
What's the one object you can't live without? My guitar.

Photo by Adriana Grant

Recently spotted: A stylish UW design student in Pioneer Square.
He introduced himself as Leonardo from the band Smile Brigade.