Where in Seattle can you find a new apartment building with an exuberant, colorful mural rising through five upper stories above a courtyard; bronze salmon swimming upstream in a rainwater channel; decorative edges to the canopies over the sidewalk; colorful tiled benches, and plaques on the wall composed by a well-known poet? In contrast to all the drab or flashy, apartment or condo buildings that appear all over our city, the Liberty Bank Building on Union and 24th, resonates with the ideals and aspirations of a strong African American community. Its completion shows what people with passion, persistence and energy can do. But we must recognize that many more projects of this kind are needed. The Liberty Bank, the first African American owned bank west of the Mississippi, founded in 1968, occupied the site of this new building at a crucial time. Redlining restricted African Americans to the Central District; racist bank policies made it impossible for them to obtain mortgages. The new bank enabled them to get loans and provided many services to the community, helping businesses to thrive. Since the 1990s gentrification and rising prices have driven long-time residents out of the Central District, which is now 95 percent white. This new apartment building, housing mostly black tenants, honors the historic role of the bank. Africatown a vibrant group, headed by Wyking Garrett, the grandson of one of the bank’s founders has, for years, demanded racial justice and promoted black culture. After a long struggle, in partnership with the Black Community Impact Alliance and Capitol Hill Housing, he helped obtain grants to construct the Liberty Bank Building. Apartments are rented to tenants making 30 to 60% of the area median income. Al Doggett and Esther Ervin of Doggett Studios selected the artists whose work adds so much vitality to the building. They collaborated with the architect Mithūn on exterior colors, which reflect African culture, and commissioned six other artists to create the works of art. Doggett painted a small version of the giant mural in the courtyard which assistants applied to the wall. A saxophone player and a dancer celebrate the contribution of the black community to entertainment in Seattle. In this same entry space Esther Irvin created “Salmon Against the Current,” three bronze salmon swimming in a sinuous line in a channel that often fills with rain water. Esther spent time at the locks when she was making them to observe their characteristic movements. Nearby, also designed by Esther, four circular benches ornamented in tiles and topped with African hardwood add both comfort and color. The metal entrance arch with the name LIBERTY BANK BUILDING across the top integrates the doors of safe deposit boxes and bricks from the demolished bank. On the wall facing Union Street, four panels attract the passersby. The first three show poems by Minnie Collins one of which reads: Here We Stand on Liberty Ground / Speaking for Ourselves / Here Heritage and Legacy Sustain / Community Courage / Creativity, Challenges / Redlining no more / Racial covenants outlawed / Civil Rights, Economic Equity, Persistence. The other panel addresses the founding of the bank. Above our heads as we read these texts, decorative motifs in black, orange and white emblazon the edge of the rain canopy. Between sections of the canopy, designs etched into glass panels, allude to the neighborhoods of the district. In the entrance hall a twenty-foot long mural by Al Doggett evokes the complex history and aspirations of the Black Community. He also contributed two paintings of masked heads referring to an African past. Inye Wokomo created four mixed media collages. In his own words “Turning the Earth” is “a hybrid visual and narrative exploration of the Liberty Bank story . . . of transformation and transcendence in four chapters based on the central metaphor of making barren land fertile. Through this metaphor I am exploring the systemic racism African American faced upon migrating to Seattle in the 20th century, how we as a people confronted those challenges to build a community and the role Liberty Bank played in that story.” Among the business on the ground floor will be the fabled hairdresser Earl’s Cuts and a restaurant run by Kristin Brown (aka. That Brown Girl) whose catering is legendary. I have enjoyed it at many events and was impressed by the delicacies she offered at the opening celebration. I urge you to make a beeline to it when it opens this summer. ~Henry Matthews, Architectural Historian

Last month we printed the directions for using water from your hot water heater in case of emergency. We are sure you all clipped those instructions out and taped them to your hot water heater. Good start! Now, Step 2: lie on each bed in your house and look up and around you. What could fall on you during an earthquake? Is there a book shelf that needs to be fastened to the wall? And how about the books themselves? Are they paperbacks or heavy textbooks from the long dead college days? Be sure to remove anything heavy that might injure you during shaking. Pictures should be secured to the wall to avoid broken glass if you have to flee quickly. We have started with the easiest things for you to do but we will proceed each month. If you missed the water heater directions, go to our newsletter archives at leschicommunitycouncil.org/newsletter-archives. Select April 2019 and page through to page 5. ~Diane Snell

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods invites all Seattle residents to celebrate NeighborDay on Saturday, May 4, by indulging in random acts of kindness. NeighborDay is a special day set aside to reach out to neighbors, make new friends, and express thanks to those who help make our neighborhoods a great place to live. Residents, businesses and community groups throughout Seattle are all invited to participate. Here are ways you can participate in NeighborDay: Do something nice for a neighbor: take them to coffee, clean up their yard, bake them some cookies, invite them for a walk. Organize a neighborhood potluck, open house, or work party. It can be as big or simple as you want. Join in a neighborhood service project to clean up a park, plant trees, or organize a neighborhood cleanup. Hold a bake sale for charity or to raise money for a neighborhood project. Use social media to share a “great neighbor” story with NeighborDay. ~Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Editor’s Note: Email the Leschi News with your story and we’ll print it in the June issue!

Hi, just a note of appreciation for Dr. McDade’s article Library of Black Lies at the UW’s Henry Gallery. I went on free Thursday and might have missed it except for your coverage. I also went the following weekend to see the cherry blossoms, a good double feature and free! Also appreciate the notation on the artist books exhibit at Bainbridge Museum of Art, which is probably not as well-known as the memorial for the incarceration of the Japanese following Pearl Harbor. The BI Japanese were the first on the West Coast to be incarcerated. Note that we Japanese Americans are using “incarcerated” rather than “interned” in describing the wartime experience. ~Kiku Hayashi

It was an amazing crowd at The Central (aka The Central Area Senior Center) on April 15 in support of the transfer of this property from the city to the Center. Even more folks than attend the famous Center celebrations such as the Seafair event and The Holiday Gala! And to think they had all completed their taxes by this infamous date! And the energy in the room was breathtaking! If we can sustain that energy and determination, we can make this happen! And why does the Center want to own the building? Once they have ownership, grants are available to make changes and repairs. As it is now, the Center is on a month to month basis with the city…not even a one-year lease and grantors want a minimum of ten years on a lease to ensure their funds will stay with the entity they are giving to. Former Mayor Ed Murray favored the transfer and the Center had submitted all the documents, including their own 501 c 3, that he had requested, and he was prepared to put the item in the budget. If it weren’t in the budget, it would not be talked about at all. But fate or life or whatever calamity you want to call it, intervened. Mayor Murray resigned and his successor, Mayor Durkin, has different ideas for this property. She did not include it in the budget, but the City Council voted 9-0 for Resolution 31856 to include it, so it was there to talk about! The Council also indicated the transfer should be complete by June 30, 2019. Rather than work with the Center to ensure the transfer goes smoothly, the Mayor has appointed a team to consider this and to develop a five-page list of new requirements, including a 15-year plan of expected expenses and proposals for meeting these expenses. (These new requirements were developed in December 2018, but not given to the Center until a meeting on 3/13/19.) Not on the Mayor’s team was someone from the Dept. of Human Resources which actually is in a position to evaluate the Center, but notably there is a representative from the Office of Planning & Development. We who use the Center know that this spot is a developer’s dream and the word development has struck fear in our hearts for some time. City Councilmember Kshama Sawant was present to support the Center’s cause and to explain the workings of the council when necessary. She said that the Council can pass resolutions and ordinances. A resolution doesn’t need to be followed by the Mayor; apparently it is advisory only, but an ordinance becomes law. Once the facts and the dilemma had been presented, the attendees were asked to confer in their groups to develop a plan of action. Suggestions were collected at the end of this process and they ranged from more letters and more emails to direct action: meeting on the impressive steps leading up to City Hall and inviting the media to hear our concerns. My table (and I) were in favor of more direct action. Let’s face it: letters and emails have been sent for months and that is basically a private affair. There is no light on your letter to the Mayor. The Mayor’s office could obfuscate and minimize the letters and emails they are receiving but public action which has media attention is hard to hide. Interestingly, KOMO (the station that brought us “Is Seattle Dying”) was supposed to be present at this meeting but did not appear. Does this mean that Sinclair Broadcasting is not in favor of programs for Seniors or do they too favor development for the private sector on this choice site? Kudos to Brandon Macz of the Madison Park Times for covering the event and of course we were there, representing the Leschi News. Center Director Dian Ferguson made sure we left our contact information so she can follow up and we will print plans of action in both the News and on Leschi’s Facebook. And don’t forget to show your support for a post office in our zip code at the Garfield Community Center on May 2 at 6pm. ~Diane Snell

Join us June 5 to meet our State Senator, Rebecca Saldana, and hear what our legislature is up to (or not). And Joseph Elenbaas, the East Precinct’s new crime Prevention Coordinator, will explain his role.

Happy Spring to My Fellow Leschi Dwellers, We had a snippet of sunshine to lull us into thinking Spring was here. The trees are still blossoming though and as we march into May, I hope our sunshine reappears. This month we are excited to have our annual Leschi Stars awards at our monthly meeting on May 1. We have a great roster of quiet heroes of our community. I urge you to attend this meeting. We will also be having a presentation from a community member about home safety, a topic that is quite timely given a brazen day time attempt to force entry into a local resident’s home. Each month, we will be also including emergency preparedness safety messages in the newsletter, so please pay attention. This fall one of the meetings will feature Leschi resident, Esther Howard, demonstrating some personal safety move. Esther is a martial arts master and we will be excited to have her join us. The Leschi Art walk will be coming again in September. If you know of artists who may be interested, please contact us with their names and we will reach out to them. Also, if anyone would like to volunteer, we are always looking for willing workers to share the load. We meet to plan on the second Thursday of each month at 3:30 at BluWater Bistro. The art show will be September 14 11am–4pm. Children’s activities are planned for the park. As we go forth, please be kind to each other and to yourselves. We are a precious jewel in the Seattle area and we just keep shining brighter and brighter as the years march on. Happy tulips, daffodils and flowering tree blossoms to you all. ~Warm regards, Janice Merrill Brown, LCC President

Join us on May 1 at 7pm for our annual meeting. We will be presenting six Leschi Star awards to deserving neighbors who have gone above and beyond in making Leschi a place to treasure. We will be joined by Winthrop Bangasser who will instruct us on how to make your home more secure both physically and digitally. After the recent shocking daytime break-in on this area, this presentation should be very timely. May 1 at 7pm at The Central 500 30th Ave S, one block south of Jackson

This is one of those feel-good stories that was a complete surprise. A former treasurer had set up a PayPal account to collect the incoming donations and we were told there was some money left in that account and it likely belonged to the Officer Brenton fund. It took some time to actually get the funds as PayPal would only deal with the person who had set up the fund, but eventually the funds were turned over to the LCC treasury and the big surprise was that it turned out to be donations for the wading pools at Peppi’s Park and Powell Barnett Park. As Parks has made an effort to open the wading pools on some days each summer, we have not yet found a use for these funds. The account is not enough to really buy more days of open pools and the summer food program has donated lunches so we will wait for some creative idea to come to us from the community!

March 11, 2019—Attending: Janice Merrill Brown, Trevor, Janet Oliver and Diane Snell. Treasury report Janet presented the treasury report through February and pointed out the $1300 grant to the ArtWalk. April program Janice asked for details on the April program, which unfortunately we do not have yet. Balance of year’s programs: May is the annual meeting with recognition of Leschi Stars and we had proposed a history of Leschi Park. Diane to check with John Barber on the feasibility of this. Rebecca Saldana has been invited for June. Tracy was not present to recap the plan for the March program. Publicity for wine tasting event Details sent to Madison Park Times and Madrona News and flyers at the check stands in Grocery Outlet. It will be put on Facebook and is on the LCC website. Janice will post it on NextDoor Leschi. Leschi Stars How many do we have for Stars this year? We have received one nomination so far. Discussion of other deserving residents. Website Janice to follow up with an email about a Website enhancer. Offer probably assumes we sell something. Diane Programs April: Eva’s neighbor: technological opportunities for security; that’s all we know at this point. Flo Ware event Trevor was asked to check with Katie Busby and submit the application for the park use once there is a date. Newsletter deadline March 18. Diane to check with John about an article on the SNC program last Saturday. Janet to ask Mike about an article on their trek in Patagonia. Support for CASC All Board members should write a letter of support for CASC. Succession for positions Diane asked members to look at succession for positions of secretary (term-limits preclude Diane from running again) and newsletter editor, should health issues intervene. Meeting adjourned at 8pm. ~Respectfully submitted by Diane Snell

We wondered about this interesting structure of water-washed rocks whenever we headed down to Renton to visit Ikea or the nurseries at Fred Meyer and McClendon’s. It looked as though it had once been a gas station and indeed, once we stopped, there was an antique gas pump! Then a few years ago, we saw it had opened as a bakery but we didn’t stop until recently when we saw that it was a Café serving breakfast and lunch. We were hungry after some heavy-duty Ikea shopping (and navigating all those arrows from one department to another). Ikea’s food service had about a 45-minute line so we headed home, but came to a quick decision as we neared the Stone House. Although the downstairs eating area looks a little small, they can seat many people and the upstairs seems to be used for overflow although it’s billed as a private rental space. Service is quick despite the crowded room. Two of us decided on lunch: a fried chicken sandwich ($13) and a Salmon BLT without the “B” ($16). Both sandwiches came with a choice of soup, salad or fries. We both ordered salads. The other person in our party ordered the Brioche French toast. Both sandwiches were on toasted sourdough with lettuce, tomato and avocado spread. The salads are very generous, served in a bowl instead of next to the sandwich on the plate. The French toast consisted of thick slices of brioche bread served with mixed berry compote. Servings are generous; I took half my sandwich and half my salad home where my husband devoured my half sandwich and pronounced it good. This former gas station called Collier’s was an institution in the past; it opened in the 1920’s and closed in the 60’s. The décor is interesting; we were seated under a painting of a VW beetle on wood which made it feel homey having owned both the Beetle and the VW Camper (also pictured on the website) in years past. The VW business must have come late in the life of Collier’s. We did not see any Model T’s. Some chairs seemed to be fashioned out of oil drums; they are comfortable but hard to move. Lake Washington is just across Rainier Ave from the Café. There is a patio, which would be delightful in warmer weather. The upper story also has a deck, which looks across Lake Washington without the annoying cars going by. The Café serves delicious looking baked goods (displayed in an old-fashioned case by the door) and they make their own doughnuts on the weekend. But unless you come specifically for the bakery goodies, you won’t have room for more food! The Stone House Café 9701 Rainier Ave. S, 206-397-4102 Tue–Thu, 8am-3pm; Fri–Sat, 8am–6pm; Sun 8am–3pm; closed Mon thestonehousecafe.com ~Diane Snell

Happy Spring Leschi! It actually feels as if winter has finally left us. Spring brings forth fresh beginnings, longer days, and of course, new wines! Following are TEN of the Market’s newest, hottest wines to arrive. Here are a few new red, white and rosé to check out over the next month. Not to be missed: Leschi Cellars newest releases are included here too—the return of our very popular Rosé of Syrah, and the first ever Willamette Valley Pinot Noir! Both are outstanding and have been met with great fanfare upon hitting the shelves. Enjoy! –KB RED 2016 DeLille Cellars D2 Columbia Valley ($42) “2016 D2, the 25th vintage of this remarkable cuvee, leaps from the glass with an impressive and inviting abundance of fruit aromas, including pomegranate, fresh blueberry and currant. Restrained oak influence enrobes the fruit, adding essences of cocoa nibs and cherry cordial. Dense and vibrant on the palate, with a pure fruit core, this wine offers elegant tannin and remarkable integration. Incredibly balanced barrel influence and Cabernet presence supports an extended finish.” –Winemaker Notes. 2015 Sous Sol Cabernet Sauvignon DuBrul Vineyard Yakima Valley ($32) “Sous Sol is very excited for our newly released 2015 Cabernet from the acclaimed DuBrul Vineyard. We are excited to be working alongside Hugh and Kathy Shiels to emulate a true terroir driven project. A nice finessed wine with a bouquet of spice, dark cocoa and mild tobacco with an elegant, textured mouthfeel of dark currant and an earthiness that finishes with supple grape tannins.” –Winemaker Notes. 2017 Leschi Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($20) “Leschi Cellars is proud to introduce Pinot Noir to the stable of wines. This one of a kind Pinot Noir accurately captures the elegance and complexity created by the volcanic soils of Oregon. The blackberry and cherry aromas give way to finely developed tannins, mushroom and earth on the lengthy, dry Burgundian finish. A great match for Northwest salmon or Leschi Market’s roast chicken. –KB’s Tasting Notes. 2017 Yves Cuilleron “Les Vignes d’à Côté” Syrah Vin de France ($18) Yves Cuilleron, who makes his home in Chavanay, in the northern Rhône, is widely regarded as one of the rising stars on the French wine scene. The Les Vignes d’à Côté Syrah is Cuilleron’s entry-level Syrah, however it is far from entry-level in quality. Lovely notes of crushed black currant and violets abound in this very pretty Syrah, and the wine exhibits a fine balance between lush fruit and good acidity. WHITE 2018 Big Salt White Table Wine Oregon ($17) Founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife duo John House and Ksenija Kostic. They set off to investigate the myriad terroirs of Oregon. They have found sites with blustery Pacific winds, extreme diurnal shifts and rocky, well-draining soils. Their work is among the most compelling white winemaking throughout the Pacific Northwest. This is incredibly limited and Leschi Market is fortunate to have some to share with customers. 2017 Vinosìa Greco di Tufo “L’Ariella” Italy ($16) Here since 1887, a simple farming family produces unsurpassed traditional wines from the region with minimal impact on the environment. 100% Greco di Tufo from a sustainably farmed, single-vineyard in the core of the district. Powerful aromas of apricot, peach and citrus on the nose; while on the palate mineral and floral notes are framed by apple and pear flavors. 2017 Lobo Hills Sauvignon Blanc Yakima Valley ($14) “This wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel, with rocks from the vineyard included in the tanks. After starting out just a touch reduced, it opens to reveal aromas of kiwi, white grapefruit, mineral and herb. The palate is sleek in style with electric acidity. It’s a racy acid white at a terrific price. Pair it with ceviche. Editors’ Choice.” –Sean P. Sullivan, 91-points. ROSÉ 2018 Domaine Carrel Eugene Rosé Vin De Savoie ($14) The clear ruby color leads you to the red fruit aromas (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries). The wine is round and appetizing. 80% Gamay and 20% Mondeuse. This wine goes well with cured meat, red and white meats as well as some exotic dishes. Rediscover this refreshing Rosé from the French Alps! A very limited pink. The 2017 vintage sold out before July last year. 2018 Leschi Cellars Rosé Columbia Valley ($13) “We struck gold again with this delightfully vibrant and refreshing dry Rosé. Tangy salmonberry and rhubarb notes accentuate strawberry fruit. Starts supple, ends with enticing zip. Made for lingering over a leisurely meat of grilled rosemary lamb or Tuesday Chinese takeout.” –Catherine Reynolds’ tasting notes. We doubled our production for the 2018 vintage in hopes of having this around into August. 2018 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rose Columbia Valley ($11) Mr. Pink, THE cult Rosé is here, and better than ever! Yes, it’s pink, packed with flavors full of fresh Rainier cherries, crisp watermelon and pomegranates, with lip smacking acidity that balances out that mouth-watering fruit. Make Mr. Pink your “go to” rosé for whatever the occasion. CHEERS! ENJOY! Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His wine column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experiences in the wine world. Check out the latest at LeschiMarket.com or request to be added to email updates or send questions, comments, or suggestions to ken@leschimarket.com and follow the wine department directly on twitter at twitter.com/leschimarket .