Hello, I’m Staci Smith, and I am happy to be volunteering my services as interim Editor of the Leschi News as we eagerly await Diane Snell’s return to her post. I am a New York City transplant who relocated to Seattle seven years ago. I was fortunate enough to call Leschi my first home in Seattle - and my Border Collie mix Pipa was fortunate that we moved immediately across the street from an entrance to the Frink park trails! The first thing people from New York want to know is how I am dealing with “The Weather.” To which I honestly and gleefully tell them it’s less rainy than in New York and you may not see a more beautiful city than Seattle in the summer. I like to cap off the conversation with a photo of the view of Mt. Rainier from my old house on 31st Ave S. I’ve been a publicist for 16 years and have handled everything from Pharmaceutical to Arts & Culture PR, but my favorite is book publicity, which gives me a good excuse for reading a bunch of Regency Romance novels. The other side of my job involves writing and editing articles for clients, which has hopefully given me enough experience to lend a hand to the Leschi News in Diane Snell’s absence. Though I recently moved right next door to Madrona, you can still find me in the neighborhood over thinking the wine selection at Leschi Market or hiding the covers of my cheesy romance novels while having lunch at Blue Water Bistro. ~Staci Smith

September 11, 2017 Treasury Janet submitted current report and John had some questions about Flo Ware. Janet said all the expenses have not been submitted yet. There was clarification that the Frink Park expenditures were from a King Conservation grant, or basically they were funds from a $45,000 grant are passed through the LCC. Janet requested that we purchase an endorsement stamp due to the number of small checks received re: ArtWalk. General agreement to purchase a stamp but asked Janet to see if we HAVE to use the bank stamp or if we can purchase something cheaper. Some discussion about the exorbitant fees charged by Special Events (now located in the Office of Economic Development rather than Parks.) Action: Diane to pursue this change and report back. Old Business Logo: Only one person contacted Janice and he has not yet sent in a design. She will write a follow-up for the newsletter. CANDC representative: Janice to appoint Patrick Kane if he is willing to attend Board meetings to report back. Due to the fact that there will be a Vulcan rep at this Thursday’s meeting, Janice will draft a letter re: our concerns about New Seasons and their negative employee policies (esp. the lack of a sick leave policy) as an inappropriate replacement for Red Apple, which is a union store. Potential Committees: Janice suggested a Program Committee and the Board enthusiastically jumped on the topic and suggested program topics through next March. Tracy is working on the October program to feature our new crime prevention officer and the topic of safety and block watches to work on a preparedness program for March. New Business Young Entrepreneurs Presentation: Janice spoke about a 6th grader who operated the cotton candy machine at the ArtWalk and felt it would be good to showcase these young folks; program slated for February. General Discussion: Racism. We are in agreement that we will have a meeting on racism in January at the Senior Center. Diane will contact two folks who presented this type of program for city employees. John Barber: He felt that there were still a lot of questions about the moorage contract. There was general agreement that the sewage issue is the most pressing. Janet shared that the slower the speedboats go, the greater the wake. An unfortunate incident at the Rowing Center was the upending and breaking in two of a $30,000 boat in the wake of a speedboat. Action: John to write a letter to Parks re: our concerns and wants more information about public meetings planned as Marina Management develops designs. Work Parties: John reminded everyone of the 3rd Saturday work party at the S. Dearborn street end. Wade Vaughn Memorial: There was agreement that reprinting and updating the Leschi Diary would be an appropriate memorial if the family agrees. It was obvious at the ArtWalk that residents were trying to get copies of this book. Diane Snell: October newsletter deadline is Sept. 18. We were fortunate to attract a very qualified volunteer, Staci Smith, to take on the task of being editor of the newsletter through the end of the year. Volunteer Needs: While Diane is recovering from hip surgery and unable to drive, we need some volunteers. Tracy offered to take Jim to Pacific Printing to pick up the October newsletter. John will do the Bulk Mail Center run again with Jim. Tracy also felt she could help with distributing the newsletter to the various merchants, library, etc. Next Meetings: October 4 Public meeting on Safety; October 9th Board Meeting ~Respectfully submitted by Diane Snell LESCHI CC TREASURY REPORT We want to start printing the treasury report so residents have an idea of what it costs us to operate. There are two main categories: General funds (your dues and ad revenue) which pay for the newsletter and postage as well as room rental at the Senior Center. The other category is Restricted Funds, which refers to those funds for specific parks, projects, etc. These funds have either come from donations or grants and cannot be spent on anything else. Some of the funds in the largest restricted fund were put into a CD and that is the Officer Brenton fund. Officer Brenton was shot and killed here in Leschi while on duty and generous citizens and the Police Guild have contributed a large amount to pay for the rental of the parking strip (to SDOT) and plants for the memorial site at 29th and Yesler.

Recently some friends invited me to join them for dinner. We ate at Sichuanese Cuisine, a Chinese restaurant in the “Little Saigon” neighborhood in a small shopping mall at the corner of 12th Avenue and S. Jackson. Four of us were celebrating a friend’s imminent departure for Washington, D.C., where he was entering the US Foreign Service. Each person ordered a different main course, which we all shared, and the food was delicious! I recently stopped in to look at the menu and found eight pages of “House Specialties.” But we indulged in these dishes: Battered & deep fried fish with spicy peppers, chicken battered and deep fried, a broccoli dish and fantastic dumplings! Sichuan food from Southern China is quite spicy as a rule, but any dish can be spicy or not as the customer desires. I cannot praise the food and the service too highly. I noted that the restaurant was rated: Best Asian Restaurant in 2011. They seem to be upholding that reputation admirably in my opinion. I hope to return often to continue exploring all of the wonderful options! Sichuanese Cuisine M-S: 11am-9:30pm; Sunday: 11:30am-9:30pm 1048 S. Jackson St., 206-720-1690 www.sichuan-cuisine.com

With Halloween at the end of the month, I thought it would be fun to celebrate with thematically appropriate names and labels to help all the big kids out there get into the spirit of things a little bit! Don’t be scared, these Scary Seven selections are sure to be a Thriller! 2014 Long Shadows The Feather Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley ($60) “This deeply layered Cabernet offers bright aromas of dark berry fruits with hints of earth and graphite that gently accent flavors of French prune and sweet spice. A silky wine with rich texture and a viscous mouthfeel that extends from mid-palate throughout its lengthy finish.” –Winemaker notes. 2015 Owen Roe Sinister Hand Columbia Valley ($26) “This generous fusion of 44% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre and13% Cinsaut is easily approachable while displaying undeniable complexity. The Grenache portion of the blend contributes cranberry and raspberry candied fruit notes, while the Syrah fragment delivers darker fruits and savory characteristics. Mourvèdre enhances the structure and richness of the body and provides delicate aromas of violets. Our partially carbonic macerated Cinsaut brings liveliness and tropical fruit flavors to the blend.” –Winemaker notes. 2016 Mark Ryan Numbskull Walla Walla Valley ($25) “NumbSkull is a dense supple blend from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyards. Red and black cherry fruits explode on the palate, eventually mingling subtler tones of vanilla, dark chocolate and hints of toasty oak. It is a substantial wine, with mouth-filling richness and remarkable complexity for the price.” –Winemaker notes. 2011 Beresan ‘The Buzz’ Red Yellow Jacket Vineyard Walla Walla ($19) “This is a sophisticated table wine that will make you want to buy a nicer table and then sit at it all day, every day. Think chocolate-covered cherries, rich coffee, white pepper, cedar on the nose, and a siesta’s worth of drinking. 40% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.” –Winemaker notes. 2015 Darby Purple Haze Columbia Valley ($18) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Syrah. When you combine the warm, ripe vintage 2014 with the keen, deft ability of Darby, you get the best wines. Big, exuberant and not overdone. Like fine architecture. 2015 Barnard Griffin Syrah Columbia Valley ($14) “Plush and juicy, with red and black fruit flavors, offering raspberry and plum notes on a polished frame that shows some transparency. Drink now through 2020.” -Wine Spectator, 89 points. 2013 Peirano Estate Vineyards Immortal Zinfandel California ($7) 100% Estate grown! This is a silken smooth, rather elegant rendering of this classically Californian grape; chiseled with fine, yet never overwrought or ungainly tannins, brightly aromatic notes of wild raspberry and cranberry, and zesty flavors that linger with sprinkles of cocoa dust and earth. Produced from the largest single block of 100+ year old, natural rooted Zinfandel vines in existence today. – Winery notes. 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 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.

BOOK REVIEW The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating Elisabeth Tova Bailey, (Algonquin Books, 2016) In a snail’s world, there is no need for a dentist. The wild New England gastropod that is the hero of this story comes equipped with 2,640 teeth which are arranged in arcs so that when the first row of 33 or so wear down, they are replaced by the next row, one of some 80 rows which populate its mouth. The teeth point slightly inward and can scrape and pierce. No doubt, if you listen carefully you can hear a snail eat. Paying attention to the natural world’s small and marvelous details is a small part of what this book celebrates. The author, debilitated by a mysterious pathogen, spends a bedridden year with a snail as her companion. Her immediate observations are buttressed by research done later, and the facts she presents about snails are astounding. They will not all be given away here, but suffice to say there are many behaviors and qualities that snails exhibit which are downright enviable. Imagine when faced by boorish neighbors, being able to pick up your entire house and move. Or, when the environment becomes hostile, checking out by withdrawing into your shell, building a door of slime, and waiting until the bad winds blow over—perhaps a couple of years if necessary. And then emerging to a better world. Underlying this fascinating narrative is the poignant bond Bailey develops with the creature housed in the moss-filled terrarium at her bedside. Her life on hold, she cannot even move, physically, at a snail’s pace. But watching the snail fuels her curiosity and it is her thirst for knowledge and the joy of wonder that keep the vagaries of her illness and misfortune at bay. And who would have thought that snails also captured the imagination of Edgar Allen Poe, Patricia Highsmith, Aristotle and Darwin? Their writings add to Bailey’s delicate weave of the personal, scientific and literary. So, as you walk through the woods of Leschi, look closely. Tread lightly. Yes, a snail can rebuild its shell should you crunch it, but if you read this book you will discover it has many other enjoyable activities it would rather be pursuing. And don’t resist the longing to fling a small piece of eggshell or Portobello mushroom into the underbrush. It will disappear soon and be much appreciated. Remember this: In terms of size, mammals are an anomaly, as the vast majority of the world’s existing animal species are snail sized or smaller. It’s almost as if, regardless of your kingdom, the smaller your size and the earlier your place on the tree of life, the more critical is your niche on earth: snails and worms create soil, and blue-green algae create oxygen; mammals seem comparatively dispensable, the result of the random path of evolution over a luxurious amount of time. – The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, page 87 (The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is the winner of the John Burroughs Medal and other awards. It is available at your local independent bookstore.) ~Anne Depue

Perspective. So much depends on perspective. Whether one stands or sits, when and where – the perspective may change. The answer to the question of what to do with Confederate statues is one of perspective. Should the statues be left alone? Should they be moved, shrouded? Should notes be added? I belong to the group – possibly a minority – wanting to add commentary to these statues. That so many persons have chosen to express their views because the statues do not tell the whole story and/or they make some of us uncomfortable is laudable. But removing the statues reminds me of the Taliban and Isis destroying art; art that belongs to humanity. (Yes, if I were teaching a humanities class and a student chose a Confederate sculpture as the subject of an essay, I would not object. The student would have to answer questions other students posed about their art selection. I admit that I would want the student to mention the controversial history of the art, but including or excluding comments would not decrease the grade.) The “many sides” of the stories of these monuments ought to be told; removing these statues is the elimination of one side. According to the U.S. Army Military History Institute, 623,026, (91.2%) of all Americans killed in wars, were killed in the Civil War, “the costliest war that America has ever fought.” Surely there will be differences of opinion about the cause[s] of the War. (As an African American educated in segregated schools in the South, I was always taught slavery was the cause of the war. Much later did I hear about states’ rights. At Gettysburg in 2015, I was told the best book on the Civil War is James McPherson’s Pulitzer Prize Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era in which a new, broader history is presented.) Ignorance generally harms more than helps. By putting these monuments into context, we may be able to better understand how history remains an active player in the racism, inequity, inequality, social, political, and economic problems plaguing out country today, such as: The inequity of access to quality education amongst various social and economic groups Racial profiling and the differences in arrest rates and sentencing between persons of color and their white counterparts Tax systems which unfairly burden low-income earners If more citizens knew more sides of the stories, not only would we better understand how the US ever got into this predicament – perhaps, most importantly, we could also begin arriving to solutions for some of our many problems. We cannot have changes in enough persons if most of us do not know the history of the country. So, for those who sincerely wish the whole story to be told and make the uncomfortable comfortable, I suggest telling the whole story instead of removing or destroying the statues. Who is to say that learning more of the history, especially the side not often portrayed in monuments, won’t help us all make the necessary changes in our hearts and minds so that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution become the reality of a more perfect Union. Or, at least, put us closer to becoming the America of which so many dream? ~Georgia S. McDade, Ph. D.

Our latest string of storms during mid-late September made me more excited than ever for the beginning of storm season. There’s nothing I love more than a good Pacific Northwest lowland snowstorm, and windstorms, mountain snow, and heavy rain aren’t far behind. So when I caught wind on September 14th that the Climate Prediction Center had issued a La Niña watch, I was overjoyed at the news. La Niñas tend to bring us cooler and wetter-than-normal winters, with significantly more snow in the mountains and a greater-than-normal chance of snow in the lowlands. According to the Climate Prediction Center’s latest El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion, sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific have decreased from slightly above-average to slightly below-average over the past couple months. Additionally, both low-level and upper-level trade winds are above average (albeit in different places), convection is enhanced over Indonesia and suppressed over the central/western tropical Pacific, and ocean temperatures have decreased below the surface. These are all things we’d expect as we transition into a La Niña in the Tropical Pacific. Models are split on whether our current pattern (which, while showing La Niña characteristics, is not strong enough to be considered a La Niña) will transition into a full-fledged La Niña over the next several months. But because the atmosphere is currently in and continues to trend toward a La Niña pattern, the forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center give a 55-65% chance of La Niña forming during the winter compared to a 35-45% chance for Neutral conditions. If I had to guess, I’d say our most likely outcome for this winter is a weak La Niña developing in October/November and persisting through February. La Niña’s propensity for cooler and wetter-than-average Pacific Northwest winters is due to their tendency to create a persistent ridge of high pressure in the NE Pacific, pushing the jet stream north into Alaska where it can tap into a cooler air mass before coming back over the ocean and sending storms into our area. Typical wintertime pattern during a La Niña year, Credit: Climate Prediction Center That being said, there is more year-to-year variability during weak La Niña (and El Niño) years than strong ones. So while the chances are in our favor for a snowier-than-average winter in the mountains and lowlands, I wouldn’t go placing any bets on it. One thing is for sure: any La Niña year is far better than an El Niño year, which squashes the hopes and dreams of Pacific Northwest schoolchildren and skiers alike! Sizable (though not record-breaking) flooding is also more frequent during La Niña years, as are strong windstorms. Our very strongest windstorms have all occurred during Neutral years, however. It’s worth mentioning that last year was also a weak La Niña, and last winter was pretty darn epic (particularly in the snow and forecast bust departments). If this winter is even half as exciting as last winter, consider me satisfied. But there’s nothing I’d love more than for the winter of 2017-2018 to put last year’s winter to shame. 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.net.

At our September 6 Leschi meeting, John Barber led a Q & A discussion of the moorage contract at the two Leschi Marinas and Lakewood. He invited Paula Hoff from Seattle Parks and Dwight Jones from Marina Management to answer both John’s submitted questions and questions from the attendees. The lease is a 20-year lease, which can be extended every ten years for another ten years. Paula began the discussion by saying there was a “soft” transition from now to January 1 when the lease actually takes effect. During that time, tenant records will be transferred and design will begin. The changes are expected to take about 1-½ years. There will be no increase in moorage rates until construction is done. She answered John’s questions as well as she could. The Environmental Impact Statement has already been started and should be well underway in January. King County does not test water at marinas, only public beaches. There are four live-aboards, two in the North Marina and two in the South Marina. They do plan to have pump out facilities on site. Moorage will not exclude speedboats. The exact number of slips is not yet known. There will be space for transient moorage at the South Marina where folks can park and eat on shore. Boats 30 ft. and under pay $12 per foot. Marina Management is responsible for all maintenance. Parks is putting in $3.8 million for the South Marina breakwater. At this point, Dwight Jones was introduced. Dwight said he is part of a family business (Foss) that operates three marinas in Tacoma…from a fishing marina to recreational marinas. There are opportunities for public involvement and they want involvement with the boat owners. The company has won every environmental prize that is out there. They will not tolerate discharge into the water. There will be public access and there will be security 7 days a week and at night as well. John asked one final question before taking the attendees’ concerns: When will you meet with the community on the design? Paula said they don’t know yet as design is not ready. The first meeting with tenants will be at the Mt. Baker Rowing Center. Answers to audience questions Target date for completion of the entire project is 2019/2020. To see one of their projects without going to Tacoma, visit Pier 91 in Seattle. Lakewood Marina’s restaurant should be open to the public. The (now) locked gate will be open to the public. Now 78% of the boats are smaller boats. The fee structure will be capped; fees would rise gradually to that cap AFTER all repairs are completed. The parking will remain the same despite rumors to the contrary. There will be no gas stop. The Virginia V may visit. The website will be up in two weeks. There will be racks to store sailboards, paddle boards, etc. There was concern about building higher but there are no plans. Parks does intend to repair the roof on the bathrooms at the North marina, but no plans to build any condominiums anywhere. In response to a question about the Dragon boats, both Paula and Dwight indicated that they are aware of the Dragon boats and will find space for them. John ended the meeting with the acknowledgment that there is more to be learned and again stressed that “the devil is in the details.” Any follow-up meetings will be announced in the newsletter, Facebook and our website. ~Diane Snell

We tend to have our favorite grocery store just as we have “our” dentist and “our” hair stylist, so it will be a big adjustment when Red Apple is gone (September 23). Many of us have shopped there for years; we know the checkers well, even trade recipes, and we have admired Produce Manager Jim’s creative displays. Management has been responsive in offering organic produce and responding to the influx of new customers. We seem to have a substantial Hispanic population as denoted by an entire aisle of food from Mexico and even a display case of Mexican bakery delicacies. Leschi CC sent a farewell letter to the Red Apple employees, thanking them for their contributions to the community such as the free backpack giveaway for each school year and the community-give-back program in which we received 1% of receipts we submitted. Red Apple also donated food and beverages to many of our community events such as the annual Flo Ware celebration. One year we had Assistant Manager Roberto’s Mariachi band perform. At this point, we do not know how groceries will reach this neighborhood while a two-year construction of the new project is going on. Grocery Outlet welcomes us and will make an effort to stock desired items; the #8 bus stops in front of the store. Leschi Market can be reached by the #27 bus, which uses Yesler and stops right next to it. The return bus stop is right across the street in front of BluWater Bistro. We have learned that the new construction on the NW corner of 23rd and Union will include a ground floor grocery: New Seasons. Leschi CC became concerned, as their one area market does not have a sick leave policy for employees. We originally thought that this was planned for the Red Apple site, but NO. Jeff Floor of our Land Use Resource Committee reminds us that the Seattle sick leave policy for employees would force this issue. One other piece of grocery news is that the design for the planned PCC store on the City People’s Garden Store site has been approved. PCC has changed their name to PCC Community Markets. ~Diane Snell

We have used a wonderful tent for our Spooktacular the past several years. It’s well decorated with Halloween images and has straw bales stacked for the gremlins to sit on and have their pictures taken in costume. Most impressive are the entire families who come in costume. We serve hot apple cider and donut holes as well as the usual trick or treat goodies. We hand out maps of participating merchants so you can head directly to those stores. Unfortunately, this year, although our dentist, Dr. Mike, has offered his tent and provided some person power to erect it, we do not have the person power to take it down at 6pm. The tent needs to be emptied of the straw bales and two tables and then taken down and folded for the next event. IF there is any way you can be there at 6pm to help with this project, please contact Leschi News or let Yousef in Leschi Market know. If we can possibly line up four persons, we can do it again this year! ~Diane Snell

It is not just the Blue Angels. Every sunny day, there is constant noise from commercial aircraft over Leschi. This is the East Turn. Whenever it is sunny and the wind is from the North, over a hundred commercial aircraft will fly up to Leschi, then turn East over Lake Washington. The East Turn was implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1975 to save fuel. The Organization of Oil Producing Countries cut petroleum production causing a worldwide shortage and soaring prices in 1975. Ever since then, Leschi has been noisy on bright summer days. Leschi is 11 miles north of SeaTac Field. Leschi was picked for the location of the East Turn in order to avoid flying over Mercer Island. A strong contingent from Mercer Island had pressed its muscle to be freed of noise impacts. Prior to 1975, it was a quiet place. All air traffic out of SeaTac followed the Duwamish River through the industrial area and out over Elliot Bay. This route reduced the noise impact on residential neighborhoods. The neighborhoods along the Duwamish and Elliot Bay became increasingly vocal about aircraft noise as planes strayed from the prescribed paths into their neighborhoods. Two Port Commissioners were elected from these neighborhoods, Patricia Davis from West Seattle and Paige Miller from Queen Anne. They asked the FAA to engage the cities and sections of Seattle affected by air noise in a community engagement process about noise reduction. The noise reduction process took place in the late 1990s and several Leschi residents attended and tried to influence a change in the East Turn. The result was a noise reduction plan to advance the use of quieter aircraft flying higher. The plan was not implemented. Advice from J.K. Burwell, writing to NextDoor Leschi: “Call often!” Residents can request information about Sea-Tac-related aircraft noise and operations, learn more about noise insulation or report aircraft noise through the port’s online Noise Comment Form; or contact the Noise Programs Office by calling 206-787-5393 or toll-free 1-800-826-1147. ~John Barber

As we enter fall, we reflect on changes and one of the subjects utmost in people’s minds is constant change and the impact of construction on our neighborhood. Join us Wednesday, October 4,th at 7pm to hear Jeff Floor speak on “Land Use 102: The Design Review Edition” (see cover). Also, remember, once again our “Spooktacular” on Halloween Day in the business village of Leschi. Please join us and engage in the neighborhood in which you live and/or work. ~Janice Merrill Brown LCC President, 2017-2018