Sketched Sept. 7, 2012 [Click on sketches to see larger versions]

Are you used to Galaxy Gold yet?

That bright orange paint atop the Space Needle has grown on me, so much that now I don't want it to go away.

But as the 50th Anniversary celebrations come to a close next month, The Space Needle has plans to replace the gold top with a winning design from entries anyone can submit by Sept. 20. (Info: spaceneedle.com/topthis.html)

As an artist, you'd think I'd like a creative contest, but the prize seems too small for such a big project. The winner, says the Needle's campaign, will get "bragging rights ... 50th Anniversary mementos and MORE really cool stuff!"

At any rate, why mess with success? I think Galaxy Gold has many fans, if only based on my informal poll at Kerry Park.

"It's nice they went back to the original color," said Brittany Nicole, a photographer from Texas. Tour guide Bryan Dutt, of Seattle, said they should keep it orange, "just because it's history."

I say let's keep Galaxy Gold for the next 50 years!

Web Extra!

The view of the Space Needle from Kerry Park must be one of the most photographed in the city. On the warm day of my visit, I saw dozens of people taking snapshots, including a three-generation family from Texas, two wedding parties and tourists who poured out of tour vans. Here are some more moments I was able to capture in the old-fashioned way of pen and paper:

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!