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

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

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 > September Community Meeting - Traffic Safety Sep 02, 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

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