We’ve worked our way to the fund for SW Frink Park and this is a fund one doesn’t hear much about. We consulted our Parks expert, John Barber who describes the fund for us: The neighbors raised donations to go for improvements at the section of Frink Park at the intersection of South King Street and 31st South. The area is approximately one city block by one city block in size. So, these funds can be used only for improvements to that area of Frink Park.

January 7, 2019—Attending: Janice Merrill Brown, Trevor Menagh, Diane Snell, John Barber and Tracy Bier. There was no Treasury report with Janet away. Janice suggested we review tasks for the wine tasting at the end of reports. John Barber The impending crisis over the failure of the LID to bring in the needed funds to complete the Waterfront Park was alleviated by the Mayor’s plan to use parking tax money to supplement. Diane brought up a possible concern: the city will negotiate with Parks re: maintenance for the Waterfront Park. Given that this park will be the jewel in the crown so to speak and puts on a good face to visitors, it is likely that the maintenance for this highly visible park will result in less maintenance for our neighborhood parks, which is already something like 20 years backlogged. John also said there had been some unauthorized cutting at one of the String of Pearls, which he will address. Parks Board meets this coming Friday (1/11/19) and John will bring up maintenance issues. Diane We received a check from a Mt. Baker group, which was devoted to neighborhood security and was disbanding. Check in amount of $1206.49 was acknowledged and group thanked. Deadline for the February issue of the Leschi News is Jan 21. She wants to put a focus on the Senior Center for this issue to reinforce our support through the wine tasting. She also mentioned a possible program: the book about the Seattle strike has been reissued with a foreword by James Gregory, professor at UW. He has several speaking engagements around town and it would be interesting to hear this talk as this was the most successful and least disruptive general strike in any city. Diane also asked for help in storing some Leschi CC materials during construction at her house. Website issues were discussed and it seems the solution is to train more people to add and make changes as Yousef no longer able to help. Tracy She is partnering with folks from the Madrona CC to do the follow-up emergency program: HOW to handle an emergency of wide proportions. They have agreed on a date of March 19 and it will be in the Senior Center dining room as there is a possible third community interested in participating. Wine Tasting Ticket purchase set up through Brown Paper Tickets as Valentine Wine Tasting. Publicity: Senior Center to make fliers; Janice to put on NextDoor Leschi. Food to be provided by Leschi CC. Music is Brazilian Jazz by the Rio Thing; they will perform two sets and will be paid $300. Senior Center staff will set-up. We need ticket takers and sellers the night of the event. Not sure how much cleanup will be needed but the food table for sure. Next meeting February 11 is AFTER the wine tasting.

It took a long time to fill that ground floor space facing 23rd Ave in the relatively new building called The Central on the SW corner of 23rd & Union. There were always rumors of a restaurant but it took until a short time ago for something to materialize and it appears to be a hit already. Tacos Chukís has a place in South Lake Union on Dexter and another on Capitol Hill. It is very reasonable with street tacos for as little as $2.20. The most popular seems to be the Adobada taco that is marinated pork grilled with fresh pineapple; a chunk of pineapple is served on each mini-taco. One person in our party had the Adobada marinated chicken breast in a quesadilla and gave it a great review: “spicy, but not hot for me to handle!” My selection was a Nopales taco: grilled prickly pear cactus. And no, no prickles can be found; it’s like small diced green pepper but cactus leaf instead. Very nicely seasoned. I also ordered the Frijoles quesadilla, veggie pinto beans. I usually cook with black beans and consider pinto beans to have little taste but these were well seasoned and enjoyable. One thing missing from these selections is the chopped lettuce and tomato that we are used to seeing on Mexican food, but these tortillas are so stuffed with whichever filling you have chosen that the addition of anything else would probably make it impossible to eat without a huge bib and some eating implements. As it was, I kept losing chunks of Nopales on my plate as I tried to eat the taco with some semblance of table manners. Drinks are refrescos by Jarritos in many flavors and Mexican beer is offered; I remember seeing Tecate on the menu. The décor is modern with both booths and a long table. The offerings are served on colorful pottery plates rather than in a flimsy boat-like cardboard. A nice touch! Each dish came with a healthy chunk of fresh lime. Orders are brought to your table and service is fast. Although there is only one order taker, there is a sizable crew in the open kitchen deftly assembling the dishes. The prices were very reasonable: tacos $2.20, burrito $3.80 and quesadilla $4.40. They also serve something called a torta, which is nothing like the tortas in my Mexican cookbook: it is any of these fillings on a French roll. If you are sensitive about eating messy stuff in public, you might want to choose that, as it would contain the filling much better. Ambiance? No Mexican music and seemed rather quiet despite the huge group that walked in after we easily found a booth. I do miss the ancient card tables with beer advertising on the surface and the rather wobbly metal chairs AND of course, the big bowl of fresh radishes one finds on your table as you drive the length of Baja Sur. Authentic food in a sanitized American setting. Parking is non-existent; prepare to walk. Tacos Chukís 2215 E Union St, Seattle, 98122; 206-971-1250 Sun–Sat, 11am–9pm, facebook.com/TacosChukis ~Diane Snell

Leschi Market’s monthly Wine Newsletters always includes two special features not found in the weekly email blasts. The first, “Staff Selections,” consists of favorite wines that the staff is currently excited about, new arrivals to the wine aisle, or old favorites that deserve remembering. Many times, customers find a particular steward whose palate matches theirs, making the “monthly picks” more of a shortened, condensed personal shopping guide. The second feature is the “Best Sellers List,” a very straightforward list of the previous month’s best-selling wines by number of units sold, broken down by different parameters: Red, White, Bubbles, Rose or Greater than $20, for example. Personally, I’ve always viewed the “Best Sellers” list as the “Customer Picks” list. Fun, right? A newsletter that features both employee favorites alongside customer favorites! Love is in the air all month long, and what better way to celebrate than compiling many of our favorite wines. Following is a Top-10 List from the last several months, combining “Staff Selections” and “Customer Picks” (aka “Best Sellers”) to create this “Wines We Love.” Pablo Picasso may have said, “Love is the greatest refreshment in life,” however, this list may challenge that! RED 2016 Quilceda Creek Red Wine “CVR” Columbia Valley ($55.99) “A combination of all our vineyard sites and represents a great value. It is the best version of this wine to date displaying highly aromatic black and blue fruits with nuances of anise, smoke, forest floor and minerals. This blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot will be best enjoyed over the next 15 years.” –Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking. 2016 Brooks Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($25.39) “Blackberry, sandalwood, marjoram, damp moss, sassafras aromas. Umeboshi plum, graphite, fresh currant, lavender and garam masala on the palate. Deep fruits and vibrant acidity lead into elegant floral notes, broad tannins and a long resinous finish. Exhibits both lively freshness and ample structure for extended aging; great value!” –Winemaker notes. 2017 Elephant Seven Cosmic Revelation Red Walla Walla Valley ($21.99) “Classic Mourvèdre characteristics of gaminess and meatiness accented with black raspberry and licorice. A dense bouquet of dried flowers, garrigue and white pepper with an iodine driven minerality. The finish is pure and lively with nice acidity and supple tannins. 61% XL Vineyard Mourvèdre, 39% Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah.” –Winemaker notes. 2016 Bouza Reserva Tannat Red Montevideo Uruguay ($19.59) If you’re going to try just one Uruguayan Tannat, then let it be Bouza. This friendly, nicely balanced offering opens on forest floor and dusty berry aromas. Toasty, peppery oak lends spice notes to core berry fruit, while the finish is lush and round. Drink through 2022. 2017 Garage Wine Co. Pais “215 BC Feriment” Portezuelo D.O. Chile ($18.69) “The wine is super fresh and clean and is also softer, more floral, less rustic and with more finesse than the 2015 I tasted next to it. The quality of the tannins is superb.” –Wine Advocate, 92-points. 2016 San Felice Chianti Classico Tuscany ($13.99) “Expressive and smooth, this hits all the right notes, with pure black cherry, black currant and violet flavors. Touches of earth, iron and tobacco add complexity. Shows fine harmony and length. Best from 2020 through 2036. Smart Buy.” –Wine Spectator, 96-points. WHITE WINE 2016 DeLille Chaleur Estate Blanc Columbia Valley ($35.99) “Impressive lemon cream and gently herbal, grassy and tropical notes. They follow through to a concentrated palate that has bright acidity and smooth, tropical flesh. Long, energetic lime and green-mango finish. Drink fresh or age for up to a decade for a more toasty, nutty expression.” –James Suckling, 93-points. 2017 Domaine Pierre Riffault Sancerre ($20.59) From this small 20-acre domaine comes one of Seattle’s hottest Sancerres. 100% Sauvignon Blanc vines from both caillotes and Terre belanche terroirs produces wonderfully aromatic and fragrant Sancerre with invigorating pink grapefruit, elderflower and gooseberry flavors. Don’t wait; 2017 was a very short vintage so there won’t be much of this delicious wine to be had. 2017 A.D. Beckham “Amphora Blanc” Chehalem Mountains Oregon ($19.99) The A.D. Beckham wines are a convergence of two passions, ceramics and wine. The terra cotta amphorae used to make these wines are handcrafted in Andrew’s studio on our vineyard. This wine was fermented in terra cotta, partially aged in terra cotta and neutral barrels. The wine is an estate field blend of Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Ehrenfelser, Scheurebe, Sylvaner, Viognier and Pinot Gris. 2017 Domaine de la Verpaille Mâcon-Villages Vieilles Vignes ($16.79) Baptiste and his wife, Estelle, work the very small parcel of 105-old-vines that produces only a few hundred cases of wine. This stunning Chardonnay is aged 100% in stainless steel bringing a crisp intensity that’s really quenching to drink. The richness of the ripe apple and tropical fruit flavors are balanced by a firm backbone of acidity. A surprise here is that it sells for just about half what your average Bourgogne does. 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 www.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 .

Editor’s note: our art critic, Susan Platt is recovering from surgery and we are grateful to Esther Ervin for contributing this month. This quote from a local, celebrated Black artist who grew up in Auburn, Washington captures the force and feeling that brought the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery into being: “Racism—it was waiting for me as I left my mother’s womb. It is institutional. It is built into society. The traditional values and beliefs of people of color hold the universal consciousness of mankind. We have racism because this consciousness has been silenced. Art can make this consciousness heard by creating an equitable reality where cultural diversity flourishes. Cultural diversity needs to be nurtured and valued.” ~Marita Dingus, 1992 To help advance the city’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery (EHAG) was established by the City of Seattle Employee Affinity Groups to showcase established and emerging artists of color from four ethnic and cultural communities. By providing a location to show ethnic artwork on a rotating schedule, they help recognize the contributions and cultural arts of the greater Seattle community. The Employee Affinity Groups began by approaching Deborah Paine, (now retired) then Curator and Collections Manager for the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, (Office of Arts & Culture’s name at that time,) in 2008 to forge an alliance, and establish and maintain gallery space on Level 3 and in the 6th floor lobby of the Seattle Municipal Tower (SMT.) This agreement also called for regular assessments to assure quality and professionalism in the management of the gallery space. The management of SMT was also a party to the agreement. The arrangement was solidified in a written proposal to the General Manager of the Seattle Municipal Tower in January of 2009, requesting the specific areas to be used. Those submitting the proposal were representatives of the City of Seattle Employee Affinity Groups: Preston Hampton of the City Light Black Employees Association and the Citywide Black Caucus, Pamela Masterman of the Native American Civic Employees, Patricia Lopez, President of the Latino City Employees and Brenda M. Sevilla of the Filipino-American Civic Employees of Seattle. Deborah Paine, also communicated with the General Manager, offering her support as a consultant for exhibition planning and installation. These combined actions established a home for the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery on Level 3 of the Seattle Municipal Tower, where EHAG has run continuous quarterly exhibitions since January of 2009. The operational rules of EHAG and it’s board are outlined in the EHAG Charter of 2014, which defines the roles of the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery and of Arts & Culture with respect to gallery publicity, installation, de-installation and other management duties. The main goals of this Coalition are to: Build and strengthen relationships between ethnic communities and the City of Seattle Foster pride and appreciation for diverse cultures within the workplace and the community at large Showcase and support local artists of color Nurture appreciation for the cultural diversity of art The current exhibit at the EHAG is A Persian Spectra, an exhibition of oil and acrylic paintings by Nasrin Afrouz. The artist was born in Tehran, Iran where she graduated from the University of Tehran with a bachelor’s degree in fine art in 1987. She also completed a thesis in Persian Mythology entitled Mehr Means Love, about the Persian God Mithra. She moved to Seattle in 1994 and studied English at the local Community College. In 1997, she earned a certificate in Visual Communication Technology in the field of Graphic Design and Electronic Prepress. While still a student during the Iran-Iraq war, Nasrin traveled and witnessed the devastation in the war-torn cities. As a woman, she was not permitted to go to the front lines of war. However, she was touched by the pain and suffering inflicted upon her countrywomen, and was especially influenced by the ceremonies and rituals performed for the dead. This motivated her to study these rituals along with the ancient mythology and rituals of Iran, which culminated in the writing of her thesis Mehr Means Love. The EHAG is located on the Third Floor Arcade level of the Seattle Municipal Tower. The current Curator and Collections Manager is Blake Haygood. For more information, email: EthnicArtGallery@seattle.gov. The EHAG follows a quarterly schedule: Jan–Apr is the Black Heritage Exhibit, Apr–Jul is the Asian Pacific Heritage Exhibit, Jul–Oct is the Latino Heritage Exhibit and Oct–Jan is the Native American Heritage Exhibit. The Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery Jan 16–Apr 15, 2019; Mon–Fri, 7am–7pm Third Floor Arcade Level, Seattle Municipal Tower 700 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 seattle.gov/ethnicartgallery/exhibition-schedule ~Esther Ervin Credit for this article is due to Bradley Wilburn and Preston Hampton, who have generously provided the source material.

The strongest storm thus far of the 2018–2019 storm season brought a brief but intense blow to the Pacific Northwest on January 5/6, with south/central Puget Sound (including the Leschi area) experiencing 50–60 mph winds and worst damage. I’ve heard that some folks are calling this storm the “Epiphany Storm” since 1/6 was Epiphany 2019 (the 12th day after Christmas). A toppled tree just east of Leschi Elementary on Lake Dell Ave. Image courtesy Sara Robertson. As far as wintertime midlatitude cyclones go, the Epiphany Storm was relatively weak. Based on observations near Long Beach in far SW Washington, it looks like the central pressure dropped to 982–983mb, which is strong but nothing out of the ordinary. On satellite, the storm resembled a “glob of clouds” rather than a well-defined, hook-shaped midlatitude cyclone. However, the Epiphany Storm had two distinct features that helped it deliver a solid, region wide below despite its small size. First, the storm took a nearly perfect track for high winds in Puget Sound. It raced NNE from just off the Oregon Coast to Cape Disappointment and eventually across the Strait of Juan de Fuca towards the US/Canada border. As it did so, it dragged a small region of intense pressure gradients across the highly populated I-5 corridor, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people and causing one injury in the process. Second, there were strong pressure rises at most stations with the passage of this storm. The NNE (as opposed to more easterly) track, the moderate/fast speed and the intense pressure gradients to the south of the low-pressure center all played a role. Most stations saw their strongest winds during the time of maximum pressure rise immediately after the center of the storm had passed. The University of Washington WRF-GFS model did a fantastic job modeling this storm. After several “so-so” or downright poor forecasts for major windstorms in recent years (the 2016 Ides of October storm comes to mind!), it’s refreshing to absolutely nail a forecast, especially with all the uncertainty that existed even 24 hours away from landfall due to differences in various models. Most Pacific Northwest windstorms create a surge of westerly winds down the Strait of Juan de Fuca as they depart, and this storm was no exception. Not only did many locations throughout Island and San Juan Counties experience 60+ mph gusts from this westerly surge, but an intense squall line formed over Southern Whidbey Island and extended north all the way into Bellingham. The forecasters at the Seattle NWS office issued a rare Severe Thunderstorm Warning for 60 mph winds and penny-sized hail associated with this feature. We can still get windstorms in February, March and even April, but they are more rare and generally weaker than the storms we see from November through January. So, while windstorm season is far from over, the chances of us seeing a storm stronger than the 2019 Epiphany Storm this winter/spring are quite low. ~Charlie Phillips Charlie Phillips, a Madrona resident, received his B.S. in atmospheric sciences from the University of Washington and works in Portland as a meteorologist. Check out his weather website at charlie.weathertogether.net .

“We knew it was dangerous and it had to come down but still it has been a Seattle icon.” These were the words of Jason Snell explaining why he took a last drive on the Viaduct heading north on the evening of January 11, which was supposed to be the last day for the controversial structure. Jason ended up at Myrtle Edwards Park with a boisterous crowd celebrating with fireworks and cheers for the brave few who continued to flow across the high-rise corridor. Jason did not mention the presence of bare-breasted women who were celebrating in their own special way. A loud roar went up for the barricade truck that lost one of its barricades on the westernmost lane forcing traffic to swerve around it. Farewell, viaduct! Diane Morris said in the “olden” days, it was referred to as Seattle’s Great Wall of China. ~Diane Snell

We are saddened by the loss of Leonard Shulman, longtime owner of the Leschi Market. He died December 24. Leonard bought the Leschi Market in 1977 from his uncle, Hank Edelson. To quote the obituary in the Seattle Times: “Over the years Leonard made Leschi Market into a unique community business with his dedication and hard work, his charming manner, welcoming smile, and his willingness to help others. Although he continued to be an active part of the business, he handed over the daily operations to his children and grandchildren. Leonard continued to work for the business until he passed away freely sharing his straight-talking advice and counsel.” Leonard’s son, Steve, and grandson, Yousef, have used a photo of Leonard in his classic grocer’s white apron on their house wine label: Leschi Cellars. Look for it when you are in the store and you will see the family resemblance. Our condolences to the Shulman family and our belated thanks to Leonard for building the store into the community pillar that it is. ~Diane Snell

Seniors want to also participate in events that are not necessarily improving them physically, but are socially stimulating. Now that we are retired and there are no more office parties big or small, the Holiday Gala is an event for which to look forward. Time to dig out your best outfit, jewels and show-stopping shoes to attend the affair of the year. Great music, substantial food, raffle items and photos reminiscent of your prom days! It’s a night to remember! One can buy tickets individually or a group can purchase a table. The Leschi Community Council has been purchasing a table for several years, as it is part of our mission to support the Senior Center. The Center also holds a monthly birthday lunch for seniors. The birthday folks enjoy a free lunch and some have even purchased a table of lunches for friends to celebrate with them. The oldest birthday person is recognized; this is one setting where one’s age is revered! Seafair offers another excuse to throw a party, as the view from Center is priceless. Again, there is music and the food is not to be believed; no one goes away hungry! These are just a sampling of the activities offered at the Center. We hope to feature more in coming months. ~Diane Snell

What the senior center means to me I have made many new friends and have enjoyed much conversation at the Central Area Senior Center over the years since 1997. What has enriched me most is the exercise program. Starting on the patio at 9am, three times a week, we begin with warm-ups and move on to flexibility and balance exercises, all while enjoying a million-dollar view of Lake Washington and the mountains beyond, stretching from the sight of downtown Bellevue, Mercer Island, the I-90 Bridge, and Mount Rainier. We see this view in many forms: still water, subtle reflections, or choppy, foggy, misty, mountains behind clouds and in front—it is a constantly changing panorama day-to-day. Inside, we do strength exercises and more stretching and balance, and then we take a 20-minute walk through the neighborhood with walking companions (another chance for chatting and making friends). When we return, we do our final stretches and some coordination exercises. Afterwards, we can stay for coffee klatch at 10, another chance to socialize with other seniors. The exercise program was expressly designed by Group Health Cooperative and the UW to meet the conditioning needs of senior citizens. Besides addressing general health, the exercises anticipate preventive conditioning to reduce falls or the results of falls, to keep the core muscles toned to be able to more easily get up, and to keep mentally alert and ready to react to unexpected changes. The Center has offered the program for more than 20 years and has received national recognition for quality. Seniors, if you want to keep fit, this program is for you. The Center is virtually at your doorstep. ~John Barber

I am probably one of a very few Leschi residents who can also speak for waterfront-ish property owners on the other side of town. I own a studio condominium just off First, which has been rented out for 30+ years. LIDs have generally been formed by property owners who wish to pool resources to address a common problem. In the waterfront (West Edge) community, without using the LID format, property owners have organized and contributed to address garbage and security issues while helping tourists. This so-called LID was imposed from above. It was assumed as part of the funding package early on, without any opportunity for comment from us minions. Many property owners do not believe that this project will increase their property values anywhere near what is being proposed in the LID. We have a right to our opinions and to demand proof. This is a misuse of the LID concept. Of course, the County will be able to raise our assessments in the future, if property sales bear out their projections of increased property values. ~Dennis Tully Editor’s note: It appears that the city did not accomplish the due diligence on the LID issue as they are supposed to do before they bring the issue to the City Council. We assumed that had been done. The Mayor has now decided that the needed funds will come from parking taxes downtown so the park issue that we were concerned about has been resolved.

Why do we support a senior center in our neighborhood? As our society ages, the importance of senior centers grows astronomically. Seniors need support as longevity increases. We may lose a spouse in the later years, our adult children may live across the country and have obligations of their own and we have often lost the support of friends through death and illness. I know that when I retired, I did not miss driving on I-5 but I missed the social contacts with both co-workers and the patients I served. I threw myself into community activities to fill that void. Our Senior Center is not only a gathering place for those who continue to be independent, but it serves a vulnerable population as well. The Central, the café that serves nutritious lunches during the week, may provide the only well-balanced meal during the day for some folks. Few men (of that generation) who have lost their spouses have the cooking skills needed for maintaining health. When Red Apple was still open, I happened to be in line behind a recent widower I knew from the Senior Center and I was appalled to see a stack of frozen meals in his basket. I was glad that he was coming to the Center for his lunches and getting some green salads and fresh fruit. And it is not only about the nutritious meals that they provided; it is the social setting and human community. We all eat better when we are not eating alone. I can remember “alone” times in my younger days when I didn’t want to bother fixing something nutritious and would stand by the sink with a spoon in one hand and the cottage cheese container in the other hand. Not totally bad, but not well balanced. The Senior Center also offers many classes and activities to either help seniors retain physical strength or stimulate one’s mind. One of the most popular classes is the exercise class long led by Ernestine Robinson and Charlesetta MacDougal, certified teachers in the Enhanced Fitness program developed by the UW and Group Health (now Kaiser Permanente). The program has a focus on upper body strength ensuring that if you do fall, you can get yourself back up. Periodically, separate classes are given at the Center in fall prevention and balance. Other important classes that are given a few times per year is the AARP driving course, which can help save money on car insurance. Leschi resident Judy Ellis is a SHIBA (State Health Insurance Benefits advisor) volunteer and helps seniors with their health insurance questions, assisting in comparing plans during the open season. Ray Bradley gives the computer classes in the technology room. Seniors who learn to email can keep in touch with their far-flung families who are often too busy to write the old-fashioned letter; emails can be brief and to the point. We will look at other popular classes in this issue but one gets the picture. Senior Centers can help folks both physically and mentally. Social isolation is common among seniors and is often seen as a major health concern. Maine has hired “senior companions” to visit isolated seniors on a weekly basis; it is more than just a “checking in” process; it is a chance to talk and reminisce which keeps folks grounded. I used to tire of my Dad’s stories about Bradley tanks, but now I miss them; testing those tanks in the desert was often a risky job but one that he valued; he was doing his part and everyone likes to think that they have done their part in whatever this life process is as they near the end. ~Diane Snell