The FIFA World Cup came to Seattle this summer and one of the popular spots for a watch party was Leschi’s Bluwater Bistro. There were TVs outside on the patio and an 85-inch screen indoors with additional TVs set up indoors. And the crowds poured in. Owner Bart Evans said that for the final game between Argentina and Spain there were as many patrons as for the Seahawks Superbowl last January. Bartender Fran Martin researched drinks to match the competing countries. If you we

Buster Simpson’s Plantings First in a series of occasional photo essays As we slide out of summer, let’s have a look at some of Leschi’s distinguished trees. Seattle has about 730 different kinds of street trees, which is to say, trees planted along a street right-of-way. This does not include trees in parks or on private property, categories we’ll also look at in coming articles. And I write “planted” advisedly: the last remaining original tree downtown was cut in 1879, and

On July 19, neighbors, friends, and volunteers gathered at Powell Barnett Park for a community work party led by Maisha Barnett, continuing the shared commitment to caring for one of Leschi’s treasured neighborhood parks. Approximately 17 volunteers spent the morning pulling weeds, spreading mulch around trees, and patrolling the park for litter. The event brought together a wonderful mix of community members, including a Garfield High School student volunteer, descendants of

After years of planning, construction on the South Leschi Moorage Improvement Project is expected to begin after Labor Day. The project, led by Seattle Parks and Recreation, will replace the aging dock and improve accessibility, helping preserve this important community asset for years to come. Construction was originally scheduled to begin in early May but was postponed in response to concerns raised by nearby businesses about the impact on their busy summer season. Since th

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Vision Zero team has developed a first version of an improvement plan for Lakeside Avenue. This project aims to enhance safety and accessibility along this important corridor. Funded by the Transportation Levy and the District 3 Project Fund, the plan focuses on reducing traffic violations and pedestrian risks and improving the experience for all. The Leschi Community Council is gathering community feedback to shape the final de

As I sat down to talk with Inye Wokoma about the multimedia art center Wa Na Wari, I asked him what I thought was a simple question: how did you get the idea to start a multimedia art center here? The answer took an hour and a half. The story is fascinating. It begins in Arkansas where Inye’s grandparents and his seven siblings worked as tenant farmers. But then World War II came and his grandfather, Frank Green, served in the military in the South Pacific . As soon as he ret

Thank you to the many residents who have shared concerns and attended the recent meeting on this issue on Wednesday, May 27th. Many Leschi residents have expressed concern about recurring late-night gatherings in the South Leschi Moorage parking lot during warm-weather weekends. These events involve dozens of vehicles, amplified music, and large crowds. In addition to significant noise impacts on nearby residents, community members have raised concerns about reckless driving,

My husband and I have lived in and around the Leschi neighborhood for 18 years. When our son started kindergarten at Leschi Elementary in 2024, we felt connected to our community in new and exciting ways. And we knew how lucky we were to be a part of Leschi Elementary! Part of the magic that happens at Leschi is thanks to the funds the PTA is able to raise every year. As a mom of a now 2nd grader at Leschi and someone new to the PTA this year, I have seen the variety of ways

For more than 25 years, the Seattle SAKE Paddling Club has been a familiar sight on Lake Washington, with brightly colored dragon boats launching from Leschi’s south marina and paddlers training year-round on the water. Founded as Seattle’s oldest dragon boat club, Seattle SAKE has grown into a thriving nonprofit organization with nearly 200 members and programs that include dragon boating and outrigger canoeing. But ask members what keeps them coming back, and most will tell

March 28th was the first day that light rail transit began public service. It also was a day that cleared up a major life history issue for me. In 1980, a group of activists that opposed the official design of the expansion of the I-90 crossing of Lake Washington submitted over 27,000 petition signatures (we only needed 19,000 to qualify) for Seattle Initiative 21—which provided for a way to build transit and have fewer car lanes across the bridge through a federal highway pr

Recap from the April 1, 2026 Leschi Community Meeting, which focused on traffic safety and status of the effort to implement traffic calming on Lakeside Ave.

A. McLean Emenegger! That is the name of the dynamic director of the unusually titled AMcE Creative Arts gallery located at 612 19th Ave East. As I walked along 19th Street, its small storefront popped out with the ceramics by Sonja Peterson. The director herself was explaining the significance of several offbeat cookie jars by Ryan Kelly. It was clear that this dynamic woman was articulate! She told me she came from Los Angeles and had worked in all aspects of art for over 2