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 were a French fan you could order the Serendipity, an iconic apple-and-champagne cocktail created by head bartender Colin Field at the Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris. It wasn’t enough to get the French to the final, but Kylian Mbappe did come away with the Golden Boot for his ten goals when Lionel Messi failed to score against Spain in the final. Ingredients 3 sprigs of fresh mint 1 oz Calvados (apple brandy) 1.75 oz fresh apple juice Ice cubes 4 to 6 oz Brut Champagne And of course they served the World Cup traditional Goal-ito with Vodka, Thai basil, lime juice, and soda water. For the July 6 Belgium v US game, owner Bart Evans placed a Las Vegas wager predicting that the United States would defeat Belgium in a penalty shootout. If that unlikely finish happened, every guest at the bistro would have their tab paid in full—on the spot—using the bet winnings. It didn’t come to pass [pun], as Belgium took the victory 4-1, but the marketing ploy did draw in the crowds, and the hoots and hollering could be heard up and down Lakeside Ave. ~Anne Depue

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 most of the city eventually followed, excepting parts of Schmitz and Seward parks, and very few other scattered locations. By 1910, the lumber and sawmill industries provided about 2/3 of the state’s jobs. Reforesting the city has been the work of over a century, but we are not keeping up. In the 1970s, 40 percent of Seattle was forested. By the 2010s that coverage had shrunk to 28 percent. The ongoing rush to build big Manhattan-style housing complexes, with 100 percent lot coverage, results in further loss. Even when there are statutory tree protections, they don’t seem to be taken seriously by either developers or those in the city government who are supposed to be enforcing them. The final story in this series will be a case in point. The question of the conflict between tree preservation and housing development is a fraught one. A couple of local stories have at least scratched the surface of this conversation: “Housing Versus Trees — Can We Have Both?“ Post Alley, August 13, 2023 postalley.org/2023/08/13/housing-versus-trees-can-we-have-both/ “In Seattle, preserving trees while increasing housing supply is a climate solution.” NPR, June 15, 2025 opb.org/article/2025/06/15/tree-preservation-housing-demand-climate-solution/ *** American Liberty Elm An American Liberty Elm was planted in 1996 in the traffic circle at 28th and Dearborn by long-time Leschi artist Buster Simpson and others. This variety is thought to be resistant to Dutch Elm disease, which, between 1930 and 1990, wiped out 75 percent of the iconic trees across the US. The elm specimen and three others started as young saplings from a 1989 installation done by the artist at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum. Simpson brought the four cuttings to Seattle after the DC show. Three were planted in Belltown as part of the “Urban Arboretum” project initiated in the 1980s. Two of those were destroyed when condominiums were under construction there. The third one lives to this day at First Avenue and Denny Way, and the fourth (above) is thriving here in Leschi. The Elms as youngsters *** On Charles Street just west of Yakima Avenue are four Douglas Fir trees. Not too hefty, the firs are unremarkable but for their number and their provenance. When less than a foot tall, they were part of the 1991 Buster Simpson exhibit “Effluence of Affluence” at the old Seattle Art Museum in Volunteer Park (now the Asian Art Museum). After that show, he planted and nurtured them in Leschi. For some other tree stories, see: “Secret Seattle” by Susanna Ryan, chapter on “Deep Roots: Trees of Seattle,” 2021 The encyclopedic “Trees of Seattle,” by Arthur Lee Jacobson, 1989, 2006 “Street Trees of Seattle”, by Taha Ebrahim, 2024. It has the advantage of being organized by neighborhood; none of us, however, would agree with the author’s definition of Leschi’s boundaries. To be continued Special thanks to Buster Simpson for his guidance on this article. Here he is with two of his Douglas Firs. ~Roger Lippman The author writes monthly about Leschi history and his experiences over more than 50 years in the neighborhood.

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 the Barnett family, and members of the Seattle Daddy Stroller Social Club. A highlight of the day was the return of the Seattle Daddy Stroller Social Club to Powell Barnett Park to celebrate the group's one-year anniversary. The celebration included Molly Moon’s ice cream, Brooks giveaways, and a special appearance by the Buffalo Soldiers on horseback. Barnett extended a special thank you to Keenan Allen Ladd for helping bring the group back to the park for the occasion. The work party was also supported by Seattle Parks and Recreation crew members DeWright, Junior, and Justin, along with the Leschi Community Council. “I deeply value your continued support and our partnership,” Barnett said in thanking everyone who helped make the event a success. Community work parties like this one not only improve neighborhood parks but also strengthen the connections that make Leschi such a vibrant place to live. Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave their time and energy to help care for Powell Barnett Park! ~Maisha Barnett

The Leschi Community Council makes Seattle's Leschi neighborhood a great place to live, work, and visit. Leschi residents are encouraged to volunteer and subscribe to The Leschi News. LCC hosts community meetings that are open to the public and address a variety of local topics. Strengthening the Leschi Community The Leschi Community Council brings neighbors together to host community events, care for our greenspaces, share local stories, and advocate for a safer, more connected neighborhood - helping make Leschi a welcoming place to live and visit. We Engage our Community Empowering Leschi residents, we're a resource for change and connection. Explore, engage, and make a difference in the heart of our vibrant community! Leschi News Subscribe to Leschi’s volunteer-run newspaper - providing local news, neighborhood stories, and community updates. Community Events Join our monthly community meetings to connect with neighbors, share local concerns and ideas, and hear updates directly from City partners. Volunteer Opportunities Help shape our neighborhood by volunteering in areas like community engagement, green spaces, traffic safety, or Leschi News. Leschi News We publish the Leschi News , Seattle’s longest running neighborhood newspapers. Community Meetings & Events We organize community events that bring neighbors together, connect people with local leaders and artists, and focus on issues that matter most to Leschi. Upcoming Events September Community Meeting - Traffic Safety Wed, Sep 02 Grace United Methodist Church RSVP Stay Informed, Stay Connected Sign up for our email newsletter to receive neighborhood news, events, and updates delivered to your inbox once or twice a month. Enter your email here Subscribe Thanks! Over Sixty Years of Neighborhood Improvement Established in 1958, the Leschi Community Council has united neighbors around housing, schools, parks, public safety, and a shared commitment to community and place. Learn more

Featured articles from The Leschi News, our monthly community newsletter. featured articles 4/1/26 Leschi Community Meeting: Lakeside Ave Traffic Calming Mathias Linnenkamp May 7 March Meeting Leschi Council Jan 28, 2024 November LCC General Meeting Leschi Council Oct 23, 2023 October Candidate Forum Leschi Council Sep 25, 2023 The Fire Outlook for 2020 Leschi Council Sep 1, 2020 Black Lives Matter and Occupations Leschi Council Sep 1, 2020 Beaver Believer Leschi Council Jun 1, 2020 Save the Post Office! Leschi Council Jun 1, 2020 Thank You to Our Heroes! Leschi Council Jun 1, 2020 Discover the Art All Around Us! Leschi Council May 1, 2020 A Special Plea to Leschi Homeowners Leschi Council May 1, 2020 Reparations: What About the Cost? Leschi Council Apr 1, 2020 1 2 3 4 5 All Articles (919) 919 posts council (225) 225 posts reviews (166) 166 posts events (136) 136 posts community meetings (95) 95 posts art reviews (90) 90 posts people (97) 97 posts editorials (59) 59 posts restaurant reviews (63) 63 posts Executive Board minutes (54) 54 posts community news (60) 60 posts wine reviews (49) 49 posts parks (64) 64 posts President's Message (45) 45 posts weather (43) 43 posts businesses (38) 38 posts book reviews (30) 30 posts commentary (24) 24 posts moorage (23) 23 posts history (36) 36 posts gardening (18) 18 posts schools (20) 20 posts activities (22) 22 posts important updates (116) 116 posts sights (12) 12 posts safety (16) 16 posts volunteering (18) 18 posts climate (7) 7 posts LURC (6) 6 posts housing (8) 8 posts transportation (7) 7 posts transportation (3) 3 posts movie reviews (3) 3 posts reviews (5) 5 posts

Important updates and news directly from the Leschi Community Council. Important updates Leschi Annual Give Lynda Petersen From Leschi to Taiwan: Seattle SAKE Paddlers Head to World Championships Nikola Davidson Reflections of a Transit Activist about Light Rail across Lake Washington John Barber AMcE Creative Arts Gallery Brings a New Vibe to Seattle Susan Platt, PhD Let the Sun Shine In: Big Progress at the Leschi Natural Area Nikola Davidson Life and Times in Leschi: the Judge Ronald House Roger Lippman 1 2 3 4 5 All Articles (919) 919 posts council (225) 225 posts reviews (166) 166 posts events (136) 136 posts community meetings (95) 95 posts art reviews (90) 90 posts people (97) 97 posts editorials (59) 59 posts restaurant reviews (63) 63 posts Executive Board minutes (54) 54 posts community news (60) 60 posts wine reviews (49) 49 posts parks (64) 64 posts President's Message (45) 45 posts weather (43) 43 posts businesses (38) 38 posts book reviews (30) 30 posts commentary (24) 24 posts moorage (23) 23 posts history (36) 36 posts gardening (18) 18 posts schools (20) 20 posts activities (22) 22 posts important updates (116) 116 posts sights (12) 12 posts safety (16) 16 posts volunteering (18) 18 posts climate (7) 7 posts LURC (6) 6 posts housing (8) 8 posts transportation (7) 7 posts transportation (3) 3 posts movie reviews (3) 3 posts reviews (5) 5 posts