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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 suppress weeds and retain moisture as native plants establish. To improve access and safety, volunteers shoveled a serious amount of leaf paste and slurry from the roadway near the sidewalk, removed slippery leaves from the stairs and main lower trail, and cleared a significant stretch of ivy along the trail leading to the lower area. The group also pruned vegetation to let in more light and continue opening up sightlines, then capped off the day by planting three new trees and additional native plants—a big win for long-term habitat and neighborhood enjoyment. Want to join a future work party? Be sure to check the Events page at leschicommunitycouncil.org  for upcoming stewardship opportunities. Rain gear encouraged and good company guaranteed! ~Nikola Davidson

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 them language training and education in both art and science. From there she went on to work at a Catholic school and then moved to Bogota. Finally, she handled the economics for the families of a community that grew coffee, canned food, and created mats from fique (a type of grass). In 1980, she returned to California and went to Graduate School at California State University, Long Beach where she studied art and science medical illustration. In 1994, she came to Seattle where she pursued another career in insurance and securities. She attended the Festival Sundiata where she saw an art show and began meeting artists in the late 1990s. She first met Al Doggett in 1997. Meanwhile, she began making jewelry. She went to a Native American workshop where they used gourds to make art and was inspired to make her own gourd art. Her father was raised on a Cree reservation. A major turning point in her career was receiving a residency at the Pratt Fine Arts Center where she learned jewelry making, metalsmithing, and welding. Another important honor was a residency at the Dr. James W. Washington, Jr. & Janie Rogella Washington Foundation where she made sculpture from materials found in the house. Ervin was also Acting Director of the Washington House 2013-2018. Salmon in courtyard of Liberty Bank Building, 2016 Skylights depicting red lining 2016 (visible on Union Street) In 2016, she collaborated with Doggett on the extensive Liberty Bank Building artist project. On Union Street near 24th Avenue, Ervin created drum shaped seats with a tiled basketweave pattern and above them transparent window designs of the redlined area of the Central District. In the central courtyard of the building are several bronze salmon struggling to go upstream. There is a sporadic flow of water that does not support them, a metaphor for the struggles of African Americans to succeed. Sculpture in Wayfarer complex 23rd and Yesler. "The works speak to the deforestation of the CD." Photo by Greg Bell. (Glass and semi precious beads, potatopearls, bronze chain, steel support structure, laser etched wood trees) Ervin has created other public art works in the neighborhood, most visibly at Jackson and 23rd Street, where an abstract design based on cowrie shells is displayed. At Boren and Yesler, in the Wayfarer complex, she has another piece. As Ervin explains, “the Wayfarer building works are large jewelry art pieces with one having a cedar tree and the other having a Douglass fir tree. The works speak to the deforestation of the CD. They are made of glass and semi-precious beads, potato pearls, bronze chain, steel support structure, laser etched wood trees.” As Ervin creates more public art, she also works as a curator with Black Arts West Alumnae Association and the Garfield Super Block. Additionally, she continues to create exquisite art in many media, ceramics, jewelry, metal, and sculpture. Her work is imbued with a sense of history. One of her missions is to celebrate the work of lesser known Black artists and history. ~Susan Platt

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 supported himself with freelance work. Finally, he attended the Art Students League, but at this point in the early 1960s he decided that he wanted to leave New York. Al Doggett 2026 In 1962, he took the greyhound bus all the way across the country, arriving in Seattle at the same time as the World’s Fair. He took his portfolio to various advertising agencies but nobody was interested in hiring him. At that point he returned to New York and became an apprentice for a top studio and began looking up advertising agencies in Seattle. On the basis of five responses to his letters he moved to Seattle in 1967 and made contact with creative directors. He stated that by then he had a much better portfolio and he was able to move forward. He also was able to buy his current home in Madrona. He pursued both fine and commercial art. He did work for the Urban League and projects for the Bon Marché art department. He trained high school students and he had five employees helping him. In the mid-1990s, the world of illustration went digital. Doggett retrained himself and continued to work. In addition to his professional work, he also taught art classes to children and adults, and workshops at local schools and museums. The youth used to come and hang out at his house and when they grew up they came back to visit. Doggett was also connected to their families. His painting series of the “Images of Africa” includes careful profile images of women from different tribes. Maasai Elder gives us a stunning profile against a huge sun and glowing sunset landscape. Another series “Essence of Youth” includes children in many poses, sitting, thinking, and dancing. In “Beauty Parlor” a young girl is doing her mother’s hair and the mother is doing her daughter’s hair below her. They are seated on the front steps of their home. “Family Tree” has three generations of an African American family proudly arranged for the portrait in a triangle. They are all dressed in elegant turn-of-the-century clothes. Liberty Bank building Courtyard, 2016 But one of Doggett’s most stunning and accessible works is the mural that he created for the entrance wall of the Liberty Bank Building. The Liberty Bank had been the first bank to loan mortgages to African Americans when the law was changed in 1968. Now it has 115 affordable apartments. Al Doggett and Esther Ervin commissioned seven African American artists to create work for the building. Doggett’s beautiful mural, visible from the street, features a tall saxophone player with a dancer and a painter against a bright orange background. The mural suggests the rhythms of the music and the high energy of the three figures. He has commented that it was difficult to arrange the figures around the windows, but the mural is magnificent. Doggett also created other murals and paintings at the Liberty Bank Building, but they are inside the building. We need to ask for a tour! ~Susan Platt

Volunteer with the LCC Being part of the Leschi Community Council means helping care for the neighborhood we share. Leschi residents are encouraged to get involved and help strengthen our community. Get in touch > How to Get Involved Community Engagement Help strengthen community engagement through our monthly meetings, events, and initiatives. Assist with smaller administrative tasks, help engage our business community, or welcome new residents to the neighborhood. Get involved Greenspaces Support Leschi parks by volunteering for work parties or help steward your favorite greenspace. Get involved Leschi News Help expand readership for our volunteer-run neighborhood newspaper! Contribute articles, help with distribution, or assist with advertisers. Get involved Public Safety Help make Leschi a safer place to live by volunteering for the Traffic Safety Committee. Get involved Sign Up for the Leschi E-Newsletter Get neighborhood news, events, and updates delivered to your inbox once or twice a month. Email Sign Up Thanks for submitting! Become a supporting member Become a supporting member or make a donation to support the Leschi Community Council Supporting Membership Supporting members can vote on council resolutions, elect board members, and will receive an annual subscription to the Leschi News. Join Donations We are a non-profit organization, and your donations contribute to our community efforts. Make a donation through our website. Donate Join the Voice of Leschi: Become a Community Council Member Today! Contribute to positive change, connect with neighbors, and shape the future of Leschi. Your voice matters—join us now! Membership

Support Leschi Your support makes our work possible: organizing community meetings and events, producing the Leschi News, and supporting local charitable initiatives. Your donation includes a Leschi News subscription. After submitting your donation, please be sure to enter your address in Step 2 to activate your Leschi News subscription. $25 $25 $50 $50 $75 $75 $100 $100 $150 $150 Other Other 0/100 Comment (optional) Donate $50 1 Donate Suggested donations are $50 annually or $25 for low income residents. Residents with higher incomes are encouraged to pay $100 annually, and businesses $150 annually. Additional one-time donations are also welcome. We appreciate your support! You may also donate by mailing a check to Leschi Community Council; 140 Lakeside Ave. Suite A #2, Seattle, WA 98122-6538 All donations are tax-deductible as we are a non-profit 501(c)(3). Our tax ID is 91-1202069. 2 Sign up to receive the Leschi News If you would like, you may sign up to receive a physical copy of the Leschi News mailed to you (included with your donation). Please note, we are only able to mail to zip codes beginning with 981– (e.g. 98144, 98122). We do not currently offer digital delivery, but past editions are available digitally in the "Leschi News" tab under "Archives". First Name Last Name Street City State Zip Email Please include your email in case we need to contact you about your subscription. Sign up for email updates: Community meetings, events, and more! Submit Thanks for submitting! 3 Attend an event Meet your neighbors and be part of the conversation. Our monthly meetings provide a platform for community engagement. Attend event

About Leschi Community Council Discover the Leschi Community Council, committed for over 50 years to enriching the vibrant life of our beloved neighborhood. Become a supporting member > Making Leschi a great place to live and visit Community Events Join us for annual community-wide events, including the ArtWalk in September, Candidate Forum in October, and Winter Gathering in December. Preserving Green Spaces Leschi boasts an abundance of parks and we actively contribute to their upkeep. We champion the development of parks and maintain Leschi’s scenic public stairways. Fiscal Support & Advocacy As the fiscal agent for grants within Leschi, we hold non-profit status and insurance, ensuring the success of community events and initiatives. The Leschi News Stay informed with The Leschi News, published 10 times a year. It's a community effort with volunteers driving content and subscribers and ads covering printing and mailing costs. All-Volunteer Board Our board and committee chairs are all volunteers. Executive board members are elected every two years. We have a range of backgrounds, but the one thing we have in common is a belief in the importance of community. We welcome you to join us! Meet the board Community News, Delivered Don't miss a beat! Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest Leschi happenings and community updates. Email Subscribe Thanks for submitting! Monthly Meetings Join us on the first Wednesday of the month (we skip July/Aug) for engaging discussions, speakers, and community-focused tasks. The Executive Board convenes on the second Tuesday monthly to keep community initiatives moving and make key decisions. Upcoming events > Get Involved Elections are held biennially in May, announced in the preceding newsletters. Committee chairs, appointed by the President, play a crucial role, with diverse committees addressing ongoing and short-term tasks. Get in touch > Shaping Leschi’s Shoreline Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 PM Grace United Methodist Church Can you make it? RSVP LCC Legacy: Shaping Leschi for Over Half a Century Since its inception in late 1958, the Leschi Community Council (LCC) has been a driving force for positive change, uniting citizens to address pressing concerns about housing, schools, playgrounds, and public safety. Founded as the Leschi Improvement Council, our early focus was on the general improvement of the Leschi neighborhood and participation in Seattle's Urban Renewal Program. Founding Achievements: Advocacy and Transformation Under the leadership of Powell Barnett, the first president, the LCC quickly became an influential lobbying group. Early victories included substantial improvements at Leschi Elementary School, the establishment of a playground, gymnasium, and combined lunchroom/auditorium. New traffic lights along key thoroughfares, then known as Empire Way, Yesler, and Jackson, enhanced safety and accessibility. Breaking Barriers and Expanding Parks The LCC actively worked for the designation of the Garfield High School track area as Powell Barnett Park. Peppi Braxton Playground, named in honor of a beloved first-grader, expanded the community's recreational spaces. Adapting to Change: Challenges and Triumphs While some wishes took time to materialize, the LCC continued its mission with dedication. Proposals for a community center faced challenges, but the Central Area Senior Center stepped in, acting as a community hub. Ongoing support for parks, renovations in Flo Ware Park, Powell Barnett Park, and the creation of the Leschi Natural Area showcase our commitment to preserving and expanding green spaces. Community Engagement and Education The LCC's impact extends beyond physical spaces. We supported the creation of an after-school instrumental music tutoring program at Leschi Elementary, expanding to four Central Area schools. The annual rummage sale proceeds contribute to music and environmental programs. In 2009, Leschi Park celebrated its centenary, and collaborations with the Leschi Business Association brought successful annual events like the Arts & Crafts fair and Art Walk. Current Initiatives: Advocacy and Involvement Today, the LCC remains a dynamic force, advocating for the Route 27 bus, supporting Leschi Elementary School, volunteering as tutors, and maintaining relationships with the Central Area Senior Center. Our monthly programs, community cleanups, and partnerships with precinct police foster a sense of connection and safety. Preserving Leschi's Essence: Commitment to Green Spaces Our commitment to preserving and expanding green spaces is evident in ongoing activities. From the maintenance of String Of Pearls Streetend Shoreline Parks to the Leschi Natural Area, Frink Park, and Peppi's Trail, the LCC ensures the vibrancy of our natural surroundings. - Reach the community - Advertise with us Learn more