If Nelson Algren Ever Lived in Seattle He'd Have Loved Aurora Ave North

Once upon a time Seattlest considered North Aurora to be a shithole, to be avoided at all costs. But, eventually, we had to go to Home Depot and a used car lot, and that car rack store, and (doh) the unemployment office, and the movie theater, and IHOP and the European deli and Computer Stop and Chubby & Tubby (so far not Stupid Prices, though) and Kmart, Burgermaster, the cemetery and a hundred other tiny places the memories of which have congealed into one big impression of Aurora Avenue North. Now we consider it one of the most organic, vibrant and honest places in the city.

And a shithole. We love it. Now we'll go there on the flimsiest of pretenses.

Which is why we're so excited about the film Elisa Haradon is pulling together on the subject. Here's the Craigslist ad she has up soliciting stories:

Eclectic documentary filmmakers with a sincere longtime interest in Seattle's Aurora Avenue seeking personal, emotional true stories and experiences. Everything from heartwarming to sinister to bizarre to morbid or devastating.

We're interested in talking to real people who live, work, or have spent time on Aurora. We're interested in the motels, the cemetery, the bridge, the hotels and motels, everything. We are sensitive to your privacy if you are speaking about delicate information.

If you wish to speak with us more, please get in touch. Please do not contact with other services.

Elisa and her husband made the documentary Waiting for NESARA a few years ago and although we haven't seen it, the trailer alone is enough to let us know that Aurora is in good hands here. She also worked on Zoo.

If you've got Aurora stories about the motels, the bridge, or the hotels and motels (wink wink, nudge nudge, know-what-I-mean) you should get in touch with her at bluezonefilms@hotmail.com.

Image courtesy of ♫ Krisken.