Rain or Shine: A Productive February Work Party
Despite pouring rain, about 15 dedicated volunteers showed up on Saturday, February 7 for a remarkably productive work party—proof once again that Leschi stewardship doesn’t stop for the weather. Volunteers removed invasive bindweed roots and buttercup in the first overlook area, cleared weeds and dead shrubs near the second overlook, and spread generous amounts of mulch both in newly cleared areas and in places where invasives had been removed previously. The mulch will help
Nikola Davidson
Feb 26


Esther Ervin: Sculptor, Jeweler, Curator
Esther Ervin was born in a small town in New Jersey, but moved to California at the age of 16. Her house was near the Irvine Ranch where she actually saw cowboys herding cattle. Now the Ranch has been developed into housing. She went to Palestine and Israel as an undergraduate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and went into the Peace Corps for three years from 1977 to 1980. She was assigned to Columbia where she worked with boys living on the street. She gave
Susan Platt, PhD
Feb 26


Al Doggett Graphic Designer and Fine Art Painter
As I sat in his comfortable living room, Al Doggett described his early years and then the details of his move to Seattle. Born in Brooklyn, he first showed an interest in art when he was in the second grade and he became the class artist in the fifth grade. He loved drawing and telling stories. He was fortunate to gain entry to the School of Art and Design in Manhattan where he learned how to illustrate professionally. He then went to the Fashion Institute of Technology and
Susan Platt, PhD
Feb 26


Meet Christina Wood, the owner and chef behind Temple Pastries
Christina Wood opened the doors of Temple Pastry on South Jackson Street in 2020 and since then, it’s become a popular community gathering spot that now serves sandwiches, ice cream, pizza at night, and has a bottle shop. Last fall, Wood released her first cookbook and most recently learned she is nominated for the distinguished 2026 James Beard’s Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker award. Christina Wood I sat down with Wood to ask about her baking inspirations, her new cookbook
Mary-Carter Creech
Feb 26


Preserving Black History in the Central District: Highlights from Our February Community Meeting
More than 75 neighbors filled the room at the February Leschi Community Council meeting to hear from Stephanie Johnson-Tolliver, President of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State (BHS), for a powerful and informative lecture on preserving Black history in Seattle’s Central District—a history she emphasized includes Leschi. Johnson-Tolliver introduced herself as a fourth-generation Seattleite, noting that her family moved to the area in 1903. She grounded her talk in
Nikola Davidson
Feb 26


Supporting Peppi’s Woods: Grant Submitted for Interpretive Kiosk at Peppi’s Playground
The Leschi Community Council recently submitted a grant proposal to the Seattle Garden Club to support a new interpretive kiosk at Peppi’s Playground—a project intended to highlight and support Peppi’s Woods, the community-stewarded natural area adjacent to the playground and Leschi Elementary. This proposal grew from a suggestion by one of Peppi’s Woods volunteer Forest Stewards and reflects early concept development. If funded, the project would intentionally move into a br
Nikola Davidson
Jan 29
New Year’s Resolutions the S.M.A.R.T. Way
Dear BFF, New Year’s resolutions are hard! How can I make mine stick? Signed, Unresolved Dear Unresolved, January is almost over. But before we throw in the towel on our new year’s resolutions, let’s take a look at how to make them stick. You can start with how you make them–the acronym S.M.A.R.T. shows you how. S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound. Let’s take a closer look! We can get a better idea what specific means by comparing v
Michele McCauley
Jan 29