She is the creation of glass artist Rodman Miller, a long-time resident of the area. He has been responsible for a great number of art projects in the Fremont area.

You can see Rodman's work at: www.rodmanstudio.com.

As with most quirky things in Fremont, there's a story to be told.

Then in 1989, a revolution hit the country. Communism was overthrown, the country changed it's name to Slovakia and statues of Lenin were ripped down and dumped in junkyards to rot. About the same time, an bronze artist named Lewis Carpenter happened to be teaching in Poprad and ran across the statue. He was familiar with Venkov's work and liked the statue. But what he liked even more was the scrap value of the bronze. The price for the piece was $13,000 which was dirt cheap for bronze. He had the statue shipped to his home in Issaquah, Washington for another $28,000, where he planned to either preserve it or sell it for scrap.

Unfortunately, Lewis Carpenter was killed shortly after he arrived back in the US in a car accident. His family was stuck with a 30 ton bronze sculpture and no idea what to do with it. One thing was for sure, you can't sell a house in America with a seven ton statue in the driveway.

The family contacted Peter Bevis, who owns the Fremont Brass Foundry. He offered to help the family sell the statue and move it out of Issaquah. The statue was moved from Issaquah to a parking lot in Fremont on the corner of 34th and Evanston, right next to the Imperial Mattress Factory. To say that people were outraged by the fact a statue of Lenin was erected at all in Fremont would be a huge understatement. However, Fremont is a weird and funky place and the best way to illustrate that was to take a look at Lenin in person. At the time, he was gazing out towards the Washington Ship Canal, but over his right shoulder, there was a Cold War rocket attached to the side of a building. The Rocket used to adorn the side of an army surplus store in Seattle, but was removed. Some Fremont artists got together, painted the rocket, added some neon and in no time they created an artistic sculpture out of what used to be a weapon of war. This is the way of Fremont.

The statue has never found a proper buyer and a few years ago Lenin was moved a down the street and can now can be found at the corner of 36th and Evanston Ave North (600 N 36th, Seattle, WA 98103). The Fremont Chamber of Commerce is slowly raising money to pay for the sculpture so it can find a permanent home in Fremont.

One thing that is not lost on people is the fact that Lenin represents a tragically flawed system which persecuted and killed millions of people. There are many people more worthy of being cast in bronze, but Lenin ended up in Fremont. He is a profound reminder that art can outlive politics. If art is supposed to bring out emotion, this piece is successful in accomplishing just that. To that extent, a vistor coming across Lenin may find the statue is decorated. Sometimes lights grace the statue, sometimes it's a red clown nose. It's just the way things happen in Fremont, the Center of the Universe.

It's a parade unlike many you have ever seen before. There are no advertisements, there are no animals, there are no written words, there are no motorized vehicles. It's a human-powered parade fueled by imagination.

The Fremont Solstice Parade even sponsors workshops where artists from around the world come to share ideas and breathe fresh ideas into the celebration, which helps it continually reinvent itself.

The Parade starts at noon on the closest Saturday to the Summer Solstice (June 21) and is open to anyone to attend. It is sponsored and organized by the Fremont Arts Council, which derives support for the parade from donations from around the community.

For more information, visit: www.fremontartscouncil.org.

Yes, thats right, a Troll.

People love the troll. Some come to gawk, some to ask the Troll questions, others to hang out and enjoy the interactions that happen with other visitors who come to see the Troll. It is a relaxing place to visit.

Despite the fact that it has a taste for Volkswagen Beetles, the Troll is very well loved even by Volkswagen owners. It keeps a watch over much of Fremont. Few things happen without the Troll finding out.

Once a year the Troll is a host to an artistic party every October 31st called Trollaween. The party starts at the Troll and winds its way down to the heart of the Fremont. Along the way artistic installations, fire puppets and performance art pieces, many which involve the use of fire in the performance, are set up for all to enjoy.

This party is designed to give the residents of Seattle a party that is more community oriented than a typical Halloween celebrations. The event draws thousands of people every year and continues to grow in popularity.

The Troll always loves visitors and welcomes you at any time on any day of the year. The Troll can usually be found on the north end of the Aurora Avenue Bridge (also known as the George Washington on some maps), not the smaller Fremont Bridge just to the west side of the bridge. If arriving by car, drive north on Aurora Avenue and take the first exit at the north end of the bridge. Head off to the right and turn right on the first street you come to. Head south one block to the next intersection and take a right. The Troll will be seen on the right side of the road directly under the bridge. If the Troll is not there, wait patiently and the Troll will return. If you get lost, ask anyone where you can find the Troll. They will be happy to give you directions.

Feel free to leave flowers, but please keep the Troll looking beautiful and respect the Troll. After all, they are known to eat people.