In May, we presented a program entitled Our Evolving Community, which was facilitated by Shanna Crutchfield, who is a trainer for Race and Social Justice Issues. She asked each attendee to write one word on an index card which best described community for us. She took the results at the end of our gathering to create a visual, displayed here. Her panel described personal experiences in community. And one case, the panelist presented an historical view of Seattle from the days the Bostons (the white settlers were called this by the native people) arrived in Elliot Bay. I protested that it didn’t have to be the way it ultimately was as there was much cooperation and even marriage between the settlers and the first people in the beginning. What changed? One audience member suggested fear and I see this is being borne out by surveys recently analyzing the 2016 election: Fear of losing status. This was unsettling; as a woman of a certain age, I have always felt that we (women) have relatively little status which is some amorphous thing carefully shielded by white men and in that time, it didn’t seem at all possible that their status could ever be challenged. But these are different times. One can see similarities between the changing view toward native peoples in the early days (once whites no longer needed their expertise at surviving here) and the complaints about the homeless people on the NextDoor communication. They are dirty, messy, don’t have our values and they aren’t like us. I imagine there are many of us who might get depressed at a homeless life…no automatic coffeemaker in the morning after a cold and perhaps wet attempt to sleep on the ground, perhaps some fear at leaving your tent at night not knowing who your neighbors are. It’s hard to have any pride of place when you don’t have a place. That is the beauty of the tiny houses to me. A door that locks, walls to decorate as you wish and even a small ground area to plant something beautiful in lives that have lost much beauty. There is a task for you to do so you feel you are giving back—perhaps a rekindling of hope. When I visited the Tiny House Village on 22 near Union, I heard that some residents have outside duty…picking up litter on the sidewalk outside the encampment and how that had become a bigger job with the construction workers on the 6 story building across 22nd. If you watch the workers, it’s a lot like the students who would buy something at Red Apple for lunch and shed the paper bag and wrappings as they ate and walked back to school. I worry about the homeless kids; they grow up without the security the rest of us have and that provides the impulse to do something to solve this problem. As a social worker in my working life, I know that kids need a good start in life with food on the table and a roof over their heads and if we don’t fix this problem, it will haunt us for generations to come. ~Diane Snell

June is upon us and sometimes it shocks me how quickly the year is moving and then other times when reflecting on all that has gone on, it seems like a lot of experiences were packed into those moments. We have had a wonderful month. It was delightful to see new faces at our monthly meeting and we hope more people are compelled to get involved. LCC is a great group of generous, creative and thoughtful volunteers who are passionate about Leschi. Our meeting was a discussion about displacement and an acknowledgment of the first people who stood on this ground. Our facilitator Shanna Crutchfield took all our one-word descriptions of “community” and created a visual found on the next page. On Thursday, May 10, my company, Keller Williams, celebrated Red Day. This is a day of service where we shut all our offices, domestic and international, and give back to the communities where we work, live and play. The numbers averaged around 65 people who cleared blackberry bushes, weed, installed bark and worked side by side in Leschi Park. Special shout out to Bart Evans, owner of BluWater for providing water and iced tea to our volunteers. We have a fabulous program June 6 at 7pm at the Central Area Senior Center. Honoring our Leschi Stars is our opportunity to recognize individuals who do so much for our community. This year our stars are: Henrietta Price, “The Hat Lady,” who has faithfully guided little ones across the school crosswalks for over 30 years, Steve Mullen of Grocery Outlet, who gives back to the community every day, Bart Evans, the owner of BluWater Bistro who always provides a selection of appetizers gratis to our various Art Show committee meetings, and Dr. Michael Bilikas, our generous dentist who provides the huge slide in the park during our Leschi Art Show and the giant tent for our Halloween Spooktacular. Our guest for this meeting will be Kshama Sawant, District 3 City Council representative. CM Sawant has answered many diverse questions during her previous visits, but we suspect there will be some pointed ones about the head tax and the homelessness crisis this time around. Respectfully submitted, Janice Merrill Brown LCC President janicemb@comcast.net 206-679-4004

Join the Leschi Community Council in honoring our Leschi Stars, those volunteers who have given back to the community in a significant way. And our special guest for the evening is Kshama Sawant. She is the District #3 representative on the City Council, speaking on the issues facing the city and possible solutions, including a Q & A. June 6 at 7pm at The Central 500 30th Ave. S.

April 9, 2018—Attending: Janice Merrill Brown, Janet Oliver, Diane Snell, Tracy Bier Treasury Janet submitted treasury report. New Business Janice: Home Bank switch: Janet to check with the bank and see what features they have online and will report back next month. Leschi Park work party: Janice’s firm Keller-Williams has taken on the cleanup of Leschi Park on for their day of community giving: the 2nd Thursday in May. She met with Parks rep, John Barber and Sally Wagner about what needs doing. Their vendors will provide lunch; Leschi Market will supply bottled water. May Program: Panel discussion about the changes in neighborhoods. Janice will be away at a convention but will get info to Janet on honorarium check. She will work with Diane for program description. Vacation: Janice gone 4/11–4/18. May Board Meeting: Senior Center not available; we will meet at BluWater. Tracy: recap of April meeting. She was pleased with the large attendance and with the program but feels that we need to go further and do something before next November. She would like to see a group form to take on the Hubs program. Diane suggested an ArtWalk booth and Tracy wondered about the East Precinct picnic in July. Diane gave Tracy info about a $1500 grant to help develop and promote Hubs. Diane: Election reminder: this could go fast at May meeting if someone would propose voting on group as a slate. ArtWalk: Leschi CC should sponsor three booths: their own, one on Hubs and a Voter Registration booth. Flo Ware event: Each year we do a children’s event in Flo Ware Park to celebrate Flo Ware’s birthday. Diane has asked Katie Busby if she and Christine Miller will do this again. She has not rec’d an answer yet. Newsletter deadline: April 16. Other newsletter info: we are short two ads (a ¼ and a business card size). Janice is working on a ¼ page ad for her business. Paper costs are rising according to printer. Some issues around getting Madrona’s half of bulk mail cost. June Program: Diane has invited CM Sawant but no confirmation yet. Leschi Stars will be presented; we have received two nominations so far. Diane suggested it would be a good time for Bill Caldwell and Dianne Ramsey Gayton to report on their research into Met Park policy on allocating funds for park maintenance. Wine Tasting event: Diane reminded group that part of our agreement with the Senior Center is that we do a fundraiser (typically has been a wine tasting) but Yousef says they are too busy. Janice asked about Grocery Outlet doing a tasting. Need to check this out. Old Business Janice: the LCC logo. She would like to see something like the “L” that Leavitt uses in its advertising. Diane CD investment: Yuki had mentioned the options before she resigned. Need to check it out with the Brenton group leader, Robert Cippolone. Donation Policy: We need to pull this into a formal policy for the bylaws. Unresolved Controversy over Frink Park changes made by volunteer that reduces group space.

Driving through a quiet neighborhood of mid-century homes along the crest of Beacon Hill, a low, flat structure appears at a triangular lot in the fork of the road. Approaching its floodlights on a cool, dark April evening, an open-air mosaic of brightly colored fruit and vegetables and hand-illustrated, boldly lettered signs comes into view. This modest yet celebratory attraction, a frequent and year-round destination for South Seattle households, is MacPherson’s Fruit & Produce. Although it is near closing time on a Sunday night, the friendly, familiar staff hurriedly restocks the rows of wood-framed bins with melons, pineapples, avocados and bok choy while cashiers ring up the huddle of remaining customers. Over the PA system, Engelbert Humperdinck belts out the chorus to “Man Without Love” from 1968. You could mistake the scene as one from 1968, long before the revival of urban farmer’s markets in Seattle and other cities. The prices, too, seem like a throwback to another era. Forty-dollars-worth of fresh produce proves a heavy lift back to my car, especially when compared to a recent, regrettable trip to Whole Foods. Quality and selection were, on this visit as with others, exceptional. Whether you are seeking ingredients for side dishes, salads or stews, you will find what you are looking for here at a very reasonable price. Although spring may not offer the varied and eccentric local bounty of summer or fall, there was much exciting fruit from which to choose. Over the last few months, I have fought the winter blues with delicious citrus purchased here, including Pomelos, Cara-Caras, Minneolas, Gold Nuggets, Meyer Lemons and the trusty Washington Navel. In addition to produce, you will find a wide range of Latin American and Asian specialty products lining the back shelves throughout the year. Those who argue that Seattle is losing its character and affordability will find solace and satisfaction roaming the cramped, busy aisles of MacPherson’s. MacPherson’s Fruit & Produce 4500 15th Ave. S, 206-762-0115 6am to 9pm, daily ~Jim Demetre

Red 2013 Domaine Gachot-Monot Côte de Nuits-Villages ($27.99) Winemaker Damien Gachot works his Villages plots with the care of a Grand Cru, and it makes his wines a real bargain. A powerful nose of dark cherry and purple flowers marks the wine as something special, which the palate carries through. Beautiful and textured in the mouth, it shows dark cherries, spice and a wonderful fullness. Concentrated and powerful, it finishes with a lingering savory undertone. Kermit Lynch Import. 2016 Francesco Boschis Dogliani Dolcetto Grignolino Piedmont ($14.99) This top Dogliani Dolcetto producer makes a tiny bit of light, fresh, utterly delicious Grignolino. The grape is native to Piedmont. Super-ripe cherry and strawberry fruit at the core with hints of cranberry and licorice and a supple, grippy finish. White 2016 Forge Cellars Riesling Wagner Caywood East Finger Lakes ($23.39) Scents of lime, lemon cream, quince/apple, nectarine and a slightly wooly mineral note. Full bodied, very dry, flavors of lime, apple, nectarine and lemon cream are lightly accented by a tea-like note and earth. The finish is of a piece, lightly lip smacking, moderately spicy, with very good length. 2016 Sassarini Cinque Terre Bianco Italy ($18.69) “After a meticulous selection of the grapes, we softly press them. A brief and strictly controlled fermentation, constant bâtonnage and a light ageing in steel barrels gives us a wine with a persistent fruit and white Mediterranean flower bouquet, enriched by typical mineral and salty notes. A blend of Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino.” ~Winemaker notes. 2017 Ross Andrew Pinot Gris Celilo Vineyard ($16.99) “This incredibly bright, energetic, and delicious Pinot Gris comes from one of the greatest vineyards, the Celilo Vineyard. It’s like stuffing an Asian pear, nectarine, ginger, hint of lemon zest and a few dashes of mineral in the bottle, resulting in fantastic aromatics. The palate is crisp, vibrant and refreshing. A go-to for the warmer months, but also a beautiful glass filler in the fall. Enjoy!” ~Winemaker notes. Pink 2017 Ned Rosé Marlborough New Zealand ($13.99) One of the country’s most popular off-dry styles of Rose, crafted from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Gris. The fruit purity and rose petal characters are exceptional with an intriguing exotic spice note. Crafted under the watchful eye of legendary winemaker Brent Marris, the original founder of the highly successful Oyster Bay. Plump and rounded with strawberries and cream and a clean stonefruit finish. 2017 Les Trois Couronnes Rosé Côtes-du-Rhône ($9.99) “Elegant lychee fragrance with white summer fruits bouquet. Full flavored and refreshing with a crisp finish. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syah.” ~Winemaker notes. Cheers! 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 .

Candi Pickens declared “I love it,” when I asked how she liked living in the SHARE/WHEEL sponsored Tent City 3 encampment. “We are a family.” Pickens has only been in Seattle for 10 months. She came up from New Orleans, displaced initially by Hurricane Katrina, then by severe family misfortunes. She found Tent City 3 by calling 211, a community phone number that provides resources for clothing, shelter and food. (A crucial resource that is less publicized than 911) The wonderful organization SHARE/WHEEL facilitates Tent City 3 as well as two other tent cities, a “bunkhouse,” which provides a dormitory type of sleeping for day and night workers, as well as, new for them, what is called a “low barrier”* small house village that they run in collaboration with the Low Income Housing Institute. Their great acronym stands for “Seattle Housing and Resource Effort/Women’s Housing and Enhancement League” They began in 1990 to provide safe housing alternatives and are still going strong, although their support from the city and county is constantly threatened. Tent City 3 now sits right behind the gas station on 23rd and Cherry on land belonging to the Cherry Hill Baptist Church (their dilapidated church was being demolished as I approached to talk to Candi, although the parishioners have moved to a new location). According to City Legislation, Tent Cities have to move every 3 months! This apparently is meant to sooth hosts, that the occupants will only be temporary. The hosts vary wildly, according to Candi. Some are welcoming, provide water and electricity, prepare meals, welcome the occupants into their spaces and enjoy being friends and learning from the campers (frequently those hosts are churches, or universities, like Seattle Pacific University). Others provide nothing at all; the encampment is challenged for the necessities of life. The current site has no electricity, and gets water from a kindly neighbor. They use porta-potties, one of their major expenses, in addition to their moves. As publicized recently in the Seattle Times, Tent Cities can now check out a wireless Internet hotspot, a valuable asset. Candi explained to me why she feels such a strong sense of community. Sleeping in the Tent City, she feels safe. For starters, Tent Cities are drug free, alcohol free, and sobriety is a strictly enforced policy. Once in the community, everyone has responsibilities and obligations. They have shifts of 6 hours, 5–6 days a week. One person watches the entrance and monitors everyone that goes in and out, people are on security patrolling the block all night. They have camp meetings at 3pm every Sunday, since a fair percentage of the occupants work. They bring up any issues people want to discuss, and the whole camp works to solve the problem. They elect someone to start the discussion. There is an organizer from SHARE/WHEEL who keeps track of how life is at the camp as well as facilitating if something is really a problem. A few years ago, I volunteered on their grant committee, finding and writing grants to support them. I was deeply impressed with the people I worked with—they were super smart, enterprising and cheerful. When I came in with a limp, they were full of advice about where I could get help. The main point about SHARE/WHEEL is that they support their participants to take responsibility for themselves, to learn to live their lives. As I spoke to Candi, I learned how incredibly resilient her community is at Tent City 3; many of them are overcoming physical and mental challenges, but the members of Tent City 3 look out for each other and they know if someone is having a bad day. They reach out and offer friendship to one another. Tent City 3 relies on donations to survive. If you would like to drop off used clothing, food or anything else you think might be useful to them, just go on by. I always stop at an encampment before going to Goodwill, to see what they want, and usually they want almost everything I have. The Tent Cities are a manifestation of a special culture in themselves, but in addition, over the years WHEEL has published wonderful collections of poetry by homeless women. WHEEL’s Homeless Remembrance Project also braved city committees for nine years to be able to install, in Victor Steinbrueck Park, the “Tree of Life,” by art team of Clark Wiegman, Karen Kiest and Kim Lokan. They were banned from including names, so instead, you will find bronze leaves embedded in the sidewalk all over town (such as outside the library or city hall) honoring specific people. Every time the group hears about another homeless death outside, they stand a vigil outside City Hall. Go to their website at sharewheel.org and learn more about this great organization! They deserve our support. At a time when the city is so focused on providing help to the homeless population, the tent city model is not necessarily understood as a community-building step toward living a better life. The cities’ ideas, such as handing someone three months rent for temporary housing, does not really solve the bigger problems of why people become homeless in the first place. SHARE/WHEEL’s Tent Cities create communities in which people not only take responsibility for themselves, but also for their neighbors and friends. This is a radical idea! ~Susan Noyes Platt, www.artandpoliticsnow.com *Low barrier refers to accepting people with alcohol and drug problems.

Walking down East Alder during the April 14 deluge, umbrella in hand (and I rarely feel the need for an umbrella,) I noticed the storm drain at the bottom of the hill. It was filled beyond capacity and overflowing onto the street. And across Lake Washington Blvd, storm water runoff from was gushing into the lake. The Leschi neighborhood is part of the 65% of the city served by a “combined or partially separated sewer system.” That means, according to the Seattle Public Utilities website, that during heavy downpours the “volume of storm water and sewage may exceed the capacity of the system. That system carries wastewater from homes and businesses, as well as storm water from streets and parking lots. A few times each year, the volume builds quickly and overwhelms the system, leading to a combined sewer overflow (CSO). CSOs not only spill sewage into our waterways, they also spill polluted storm water runoff that flows off rooftops, streets and other hard surfaces.” The storm runoff splashing into the lake in mid-April was probably about 90% storm water and 10% untreated sewage. Although these “events” typically happen between October and May, if, like me, you jump in the lake once a month, even in January, it is disconcerting, to say the least, to realize what you are jumping into. And even if you aren’t swimming, perhaps your dogs are. Consider checking a “live” update of overflow conditions. The county publishes a map showing which areas have experienced an overflow in the last 48 hours. On April 16, there were four pipes between Denny Blaine beach and I-90 showing overflow into the lake. The advisory is to stay out of the lake for swimming, fishing, and boating for 48 hours after such an event. You can see the map here: www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/wastewater/cso-status.aspx . It was fitting that a few days before one of the wettest Aprils in the history of Seattle, the RainWise folks came to introduce their program at the Leschi Area Senior Center. Perhaps if they had waited a few more weeks, during which we were pelted seemingly nonstop by rain, attendance might have been greater. A mere five of us gathered to learn about the city’s rebate program for rain cisterns and rain gardens. The city has a federal mandate to lower the amount of storm runoff into surrounding waters so it has implemented programs to address the problem. RainWise is “a rebate program to install beautiful and functional rain gardens and/or cisterns on private property in eligible Seattle neighborhoods.” Leschi is one of the neighborhoods in which many households might qualify for a cistern. Because of the steep slopes here, most properties will not be eligible for a rain garden rebate. The idea of the cisterns (which are much larger than rain barrels) is that they catch rainwater coming directly from a home’s gutters and store it, releasing it slowly into the sewer, thereby decreasing the rate of water running into the overstressed system during a major storm. Homeowners can also use the stored water for their gardens, possibly as a source for gray water. The city offers a rebate hovering around 90% to 100% for the cisterns and their installation. In some cases, the city will pay an approved contractor directly so homeowners are only responsible for a small portion. RainWise maintains a list of approved contractors, many of whom will come out to inspect and offer a free bid. I invited one of the contractors from the meeting to come to our house only to learn that the small square footage and angles of our roof means that there was not enough runoff to justify the installation of a cistern. Otherwise, I would have happily stepped up to do my part to keep the polluted water out of the lake I so love. You can check your property’s eligibility in advance: Go to 700milliongallons.org and find out if you qualify for the program. The website also offers a number of other suggestions on how individuals and homeowners can help the situation (plant trees, install green roofs, un-pave, etc.) ~Anne Depue

Son, sibling, nephew, cousin, student, bass fiddler, soldier, Morehouse Man, Alpha minister, preacher, husband, pastor, father, uncle, teacher, founder, commentator, author, actor, mentor, confidante: these roles come to mind immediately when I think of positions I knew the Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney filled at various times; a bit of research could lengthen the list. Google Samuel Berry McKinney if you wish more roles and statistics about him. Much of what I say here won’t be online. I knew Rev. McKinney’s baritone voice long before I knew his face. I had heard him on radio. I remember the day I met him. I’d spent about two years going to a different church every Sunday. I would look at church listings Saturday, see a sermon title I liked, and visit. One Sunday I realized I had not been to Mount Zion—my oldest sister told me earlier that I did not want to go there—but I decided to attend. I loved the Sunday School—Ron Sims was the teacher of the Single and Young Married Class—and loved the order of service, the music, beginning on time, not staying all day, and I really loved the sermon. I was surprised to see so many persons I knew, some from my hometown and alma mater in Louisiana. As I was exiting the church, Rev. McKinney came to the door, extended his hand and said, “I’m Samuel Berry McKinney.” I replied, “I know.” Never did it occur to me that he was interested in knowing who I am. That was my second mistake. Over the years, I came to understand that Dr. McKinney was interested in many people and many things. Saying “the least, lost, left out, locked-up” was more than alliteration. Using his resources and logic, he did his best on various fronts to reduce the number of persons in all of those categories. Stories of his love, kindness, understanding, patience, wit and humor abound. My favorite story is the first time I heard him relate why he became a minister. At a conference in a Seattle church, he revealed his father was a minister, his grandfather was a minister, he was going to be a lawyer. He wanted to help people. While at Morehouse College, the theologian/professor Dr. George Dennis Kelsey explained that being a lawyer affords one the opportunity to help on the back end of justice—after a person is in trouble with the law; being a minister, however, allows one to help on the front end of justice, before a person is in trouble. The young college student Sam McKinney decided that day to become a minister. The rest is history: he helped thousands on the front end and the back end of justice. Encouraging persons, male and female, to attend seminary was a regular task. A number of ministers in the Seattle area and around the nation chose to become ministers at his suggestion, served under his tutelage. More than any other alumnus, Rev. McKinney may have been responsible for getting young men to go to Morehouse, helping them get scholarships and contributing personal funds to their education. Although he received his degree in 1949, he received yet another award June 2017. Someone was often seeking his advice. Not always serious, he knew when to laugh, and he could make listeners laugh. He had a great sense of humor. At some point, he told some of his congregants he wanted to be cremated. One replied, “Oooh, Pastor, you’re gonna burn twice!” He laughed loudest and often told the story. On another occasion a member told me he confronted Rev. McKinney after a business meeting: “Reverend, you were wrong,” and the pastor responded, “Pray for me” without breaking his stride. Dr. McKinney teased me saying I was a doctor who could help nobody, but when he introduced me to a dignitary, he said, “Her doctorate is not like ours; hers is real.” One of his happiest times was at a party at his home the second time Barack H. Obama was elected. I suggested he have a party election night. Surmising his reluctance, I assured him only ten or twelve persons would be invited; we could watch the returns together. Soon he agreed and said, “Bring me the receipts.” Busy with other obligations, I made my first call about a week later. Before I could finish the invitation, the guest said, “Rev. McKinney called me; he told me what to bring.” I thanked her and called three or four more persons, all of who interrupted me with Rev. McKinney had called and told them what dish to bring! (He knew who prepared which dishes and did not hesitate to make a request. I know of no one who ever failed to provide on demand!) When I checked with him, he said, “I invited a few more folks.” The last call before purchasing food: “I have a list of thirty-eight!” More than thirty-eight of us had a great time celebrating the second election of President Obama. The pastor emeritus had great fun watching the beloved Seahawks. He had a leather Seahawk jacket and often sat in his chair wrapped in his Seahawk blanket. Quite by accident, I learned he had missed a game one Sunday. I asked two fans to please call and tell him when there was a game: I called when I remembered. This incident led to the habit of calling to tell him about television programs of interest to him. The last time I called the special about the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. M. L. King was showing. Less than a week has passed, and several times something has happened to make me want to call Dr. McKinney only to be reminded calling is no longer possible or necessary. I miss him; I shall miss him all the days of my life, and so will many others. I have no doubt many of his words and deeds will forever be remembered. When the subject of Mount Zion arises, I know when I made my first mistake: not visiting Mount Zion in 1967 as soon as I arrived in Seattle. ~Georgia S. McDade, Ph. D

By the time you’ve picked up this 352nd issue of the Leschi News, La “Niña” will likely have been replaced by her cousin, La “Nada,” which is the moniker we’ve lovingly given to ENSO-Neutral conditions in the Tropical Pacific, where we are neither in a La Niña or an El Niño state. “ENSO” simply refers to “El Niño Southern Oscillation” and is the broad term that describes the oscillation between El Niño, Neutral and La Niña conditions in the Tropical Pacific. While La Niña’s effects are most pronounced after January 1, La Niñas exert some influence on large-scale atmospheric patterns earlier in the winter, and December and the first half of January featured uncharacteristically calm weather for a La Niña winter over our area as large, persistent ridges of high pressure repeatedly formed over the Pacific Northwest. La Niñas are typically characterized by an active, northwesterly storm track that keeps us cooler and wetter than normal, delivering copious amount of snow to the mountains. Though these ridges were interspersed by wet systems that brought moderate amounts of snow to the Washington Cascades/Olympics, these systems dropped very little snowfall to areas further to the south. I went skiing on Mt. Hood during late January and encountered all sorts of early-season hazards on many of the runs. The Southern Oregon Cascades were in even worse shape, with many spots barely receiving 20% of their normal snowpack by mid-January. However, La Niña made up for lost time later in January and February, and though March was relatively calm, the first half of April was extremely cold and wet, dumping copious amounts of snow in the mountains in the process. As of mid-April, every single region in the Washington Cascades/Olympics had above-normal snowpack, and even Mt. Hood’s snowpack was close to average. ENSO forecasts are typically very poor at this time of the year because the low-level winds that drive the changes in ocean circulation that lead to the development of El Niño and La Niña events are weakest in the springtime. Most models show us staying in a neutral pattern or transitioning to a weak El Niño by the end of 2018, but I wouldn’t put too much stock into these models just yet. Interestingly, last year’s models at this time had a similar forecast, yet we ended up going against the model consensus into a La Niña. We’ll have a much better idea of what state the Tropical Pacific will be in for the following winter by the time the kids put away their books for summer break. I hope you’ve been enjoying the sunshine! After a long winter and a dreary spring, it’s wonderful to finally get a taste of summer. ~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 forecasting wind energy along the Columbia River Gorge. Check out his weather website at weathertogether.us.

It must mean the end of constant rain if bicycle Sunday is back! Hooray! May 20 is the Grand Opening. Grab your bike and pedal over to the 2018 Bicycle Sundays Opening Celebration on Sunday, May 20! Bike, jog or stroll along Lake Washington Boulevard. A portion of the Boulevard between the Seward Park entrance and Mount Baker Park’s beach will be closed to motorized vehicles from 10am to 6pm. Join us in the Lower Meadow at Seward Park from 10am to 2pm for music, entertainment, games and face painting! Don’t forget to mark your calendar for all of the 2018 Bicycle Sundays: May 20, 27; June 3, 17, 24; July 8, 15; August 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16. For more information, please contact the Greenways Initiative at 206-256-5167.