Search Results

Having gone through several phases of grieving over the pending loss of a beloved institution, central Seattle must now come to grips with what will take the place of City People’s Garden Store in Madison Valley. With a portion of the nursery’s ownership group having determined it’s time to move on and not renew the lease to the business that calls it home, the end of 2016 will bring an end to 28 years of peddling greenery, and will usher in a new mixed-use building on this oddly shaped, complex site. Preliminary documents filed with the city to initiate the permitting process identify the proposal as “New construction of a 165,570 so mixed use building with 75 proposed units and 164 parking spaces.” Given the current setting of the site not only as home to a landmark business, but also a simple one-story building with a footprint covering barely one-half of the property, the dry description alone of that level of pending change is enough to give nearby residents the willies. Layer on top of that the bit of harrowing recent history where a resident, one Kate Fleming, in a property just downhill from the site drowned in her own house from raging overflow storm water an aging and overmatched storm system simply couldn’t handle, and you have the makings of genuine development drama. As concerned citizens listened to an April 9 meeting convened by a newly formed group with the torch-and-pitchfork moniker, “Save Madison Valley”, issues not only of stormwater, but of parking, traffic, seismic safety, green preservation and community character were all raised. To be sure, this is a complicated site, even without the background of tragedy and loss. Despite the expansiveness one might feel when plying the current rows of potted trees and shrubs, the property is not large by commercial standards, especially considering the sharp taper the lot lines follow at the eastern edge of the site. Also impinging on the buildable area is the steep drop- off down to Dewey Place to the southeast, which at greater than 40% grade, is automatically considered an environmental critical area by City regulations, which triggers a host of constraints on what can be done with a new structure. To tread near or in that slope will cost the developer dearly in terms of high-priced foundation work that will actually stabilize the hillside far more than it currently is today. Current stormwater management regulations will force any development here to provide detention structures (commonly this means massive below-grade vaults) to hold rainwater on site and only allow it to enter the existing system and a controlled outflow. This should actually provide some peace of mind to those living below, as this will lessen the risk of a repeat of the tragic flash flood of 2006. The building height issue, as the speaker at the April 9 event alluded, will be complicated. The maximum allowable height in this zone is 40 feet, but when a commercial property abuts a single-family zone as this one does, the building must step back and away. Calculating where that 40’ actually occurs is based on existing grades, meaning that as grades drop, so does the maximum height along with it. Couple that with the trapezoidal lot shape, and the architects will have their hands full attempting to hit a maximum buildable envelope with anything rational and useable toward the narrow east end. This observer holds out hope that the solution the design team comes up with is skillful and sensitive enough to work with the opportunities as well as all the complexities of the site. The curious little holler that is Dewey Place below the lot to the southeast is quiet and subdued, but oddly disconnected from the heart of Madison Valley thrumming just above. A humble pedestrian connection up to Madison Street, constructed by this project at its own expense, could be a sweet addition, and undeniably a benefit for the overall public good. And while the shoes of City People’s will be impossible to fill, the new tenant – which the City People’s website guarantees will “not (be) a Walgreens or any other pharmacy” – may, who knows, grow to be an institution the community adores. ~Jeff Floor, Co-Chair of the Land Use Review Committee

April 6, 2016 - Leschi Community Meeting Gazing out over Lake Washington with Mt. Rainer in perfect, plain sight, Leschi community members convened on April 6 to discuss two hot topics regarding the magnificent view, Colman Park and the Leschi moorages. The monthly community council meeting was welcomed by representatives from the Mount Baker community council as well as the Seattle Parks Department to have an open discussion about these two respective topics. The meeting began with a presentation from Mount Baker community members, Margy Bresslour and Evan Wright, regarding a project to restore Colman Park to the original Olmsted Brothers’ vision. What once was envisioned by the Olmsted brothers to be a beautiful park that “borrowed the landscape” from its pristine location has since become overgrown, littered and uncared for due to lack of park funding and involvement? The Mount Baker community council wishes to restore the park from Holgate to Massachusetts street, cut back and yes - cut down - some of the trees in order to establish a viewshed looking out over 31st Ave. The council members were present to gain feedback from the Leschi community regarding the project and sought any interest or additional involvement from residents. Their presentation garnered a lot of excitement and fond memories from attendees. One in particular spoke to the importance of opening up this viewpoint, she said, “It is a spirituality thing, being closed in within a city has an effect on people,” and many others seemed to agree. The presentation inspired interest from two community members who volunteered to sit on a committee for this Colman Park restoration project.They will represent the Leschi community in its undertaking, and others are encouraged to reach out and join the committee as well. In the future, there will be three public meetings regarding this project, and all community members are welcome to attend. These upcoming meetings will feature professionals, including an arborist who will be talking in more detail about next steps, especially the environmental preservation concerns of this community initiative. The second half of the Leschi community meeting was focused on the restoration of the north and south Leschi moorages. Paul Wilkinson, manager of moorage for Seattle Parks, and Paula Hoff, also of Seattle Parks, were present for an open discussion regarding the future of our community’s treasured marinas. Simply put, the Leschi moorages are slowly falling apart. They have not had proper upkeep, and the safety of these facilities has been questioned. While the Parks department is responsible for their upkeep, budgets are limited and the moorages don’t serve as many community members as other Parks’ initiatives therefore they are not as high of a priority for the department. However, Seattle Parks does indeed care for their history and the purpose they serve. This is why they recently put out a public request for proposal, or RFP, to garner third party interest in the management and restoration takeover of both the Leschi and the Lakewood moorages. There were two bids submitted to the RFP and Foss Marina Management was ultimately selected. According to Hoff, Foss’s priorities and plans for the moorages closely align with those of Parks and the community. Those priorities include making the moorages safe, accessible and affordable, protecting the surrounding habitat and the facilities’ original footprint, ensuring a community benefit, maintaining the sailing heritage of the area and improving public access. This agreement will be a strategic partnership between the two entities, and Seattle Parks will still own the moorages. The Parks’ representatives made it clear that this project is in the very beginning stages of development, what will come next is a long permit process with a plethora of requirements to be met, then a contract will be negotiated with Foss, and what will follow will of course include input from the Leschi community to ensure the projects are executed in accordance with community interests. Once a contract is agreed upon and a design is drawn, there will be opportunities, including community meetings, for public and community input regarding the project. While there are a lot of fears regarding hiring a third party corporation to come in and manage Leschi’s marinas, Parks’ ensured Foss’s positive track record and intent to preserve the moorages’ historic presence in the community. Foss has taken on a similar marina restoration project in Tacoma at the Tacoma waterways near the Museum of Glass. One of the fears of the management change is that it will price out the lower end boater and lead to larger boats at the moorages and the stacking of boats. Parks mentioned that while Foss plans for a return on investment, as any business would in a similar endeavor, the history and traditions of Leschi’s moorages will be kept intact. Wilkinson said, “We want to preserve the boats that are there, but we can see stacking in the future: stacking of sail boards in order to increase the use of the facilities.” Tentatively speaking of a timeline for this project, Parks mentioned that they would like to start replacing the south Leschi moorage by the end of this year, with the north moorage replaced soon after. Once again, they highlighted the craziness of the permitting process, but hope to also have a contract signed and agreed upon with Foss by the end of the summer. In Foss’s proposal to Parks, they envisioned the timeline for the project lasting up to five years. For more information regarding Parks and the Leschi moorages, including Foss’s proposal, visit seattle.gov/parks/marinas. Park’s also welcomes any questions, feedback or input via email from the Leschi community regarding the future of these beloved marinas. ~Caroline Emde Caroline Emde is a recent graduate from the University of Missouri School of Journalism as well as a recent addition to the Leschi Community. She recently moved here from Chicago and currently works in public relations for a small firm in Seattle. When she isn’t writing for work or for pleasure, she enjoys being outside, hiking, swimming, painting and exploring the city! She is excited to have the opportunity to write for Leschi News and delve deeper into the local community.

March 8, 2016—Attending: Kim Murillo, Tracy Bier, John Barber, Jeff Floor, Yousef Shulman, Diane Morris and Diane Snell Treasury Kim Murillo paid the initial invoice for the Frink Park wetland project: $15, 630.29. The funds came from the King County Conservation grant. John Barber said he had completed the reporting on the Powell Barnett project and we would need to reimburse Parks for that project. We will receive a $25,000 check from the fundraising efforts which we will then turn over as a check to Parks. LURC Jeff spoke about HALA and will write an article for the newsletter o DADUs.. Parks John Barber announced the grand opening of the new adult outdoor fitness equipment at Powell Barnett Park on April 30 10-12am. John asked about a date for Flo Ware Day (not known yet.) Website Yousef said we would be meeting with Kirsten Hopperstad to discuss the next steps. Stairway project Parks Diane Morris: Stairway project will clean the stairs by the Senior Center on March 18. April program restoration project in Colman Park and Moorage plans with Parks and Foss; elections at May meeting. Donations Diane S. gave some history on the LCC donation program. Our informational material on letters and the subscription forms highlight our support of the Senior Center and Leschi Elementary School. These supports derive from a survey we did a few years ago; the public response endorsed support of both the school and the Senior Center. Diane S reported that Captain Paul McDonogh announced at the Feb. EastPAC meeting that the annual East Precinct picnic would be held at Powell Barnett Park on July 16. ~respectfully submitted by Diane Snell

The Golden Wheat Bakery, which straddles Leschi and Madrona near MLK, is a welcoming neighborhood gem, a colorful café filled with the scent of Vashon Island coffee (women-owned), freshly baked pastries, bread and now hot breakfast sandwiches. This morning, the folks at the next table were eating mouthwatering hot croissants filled with ham and cheese, and hot bagel sandwiches. There is also a complete lunch menu with soup, sandwiches and salad. Owner, Angel Rocha, a friendly and talented baker originally from Mexico, produces everything from French croissants to challah, tamales, savory and sweet empanadas, biscotti, quiche—an international array of delicacies! You can also order cakes, pies and tarts, or order an individual portion for pure indulgence. Really, I can’t say enough about this place, but you can Google them and find a number of reviews, YELP included, and all very positive reviews. What I like is that it is a real community café! Angel is celebrating his third anniversary in this space and wants to thank the communities of Leschi and Madrona for making his dream come true! ~Susan Roberts, Madrona resident Editor’s Note: We thank Susan for writing a review of the bakery after 3 years in business. We published an early review in the Leschi News, when they were first getting started and folks were mainly dropping in for a carryout pastry. As Susan says, it is now a community café with its small tables filled with satisfied diners, whether it’s breakfast or lunch. I ordered the Chocolate Mousse cake for a large family get-together and it was deliciously moist and dense. My waitperson raved about the Tres Leche cake and I must go back for that delicacy, which is not all that easy to find here. The Golden Wheat Bakery 2908 E Cherry 206.325.5055 7:30am-6:30pm

Il Vino Italiano Regna Suprema The quality of Italian wine becoming available to consumers lately is unparalleled. Week after week, the Leschi Market tasting panel sees more and more wines that command our attention. So much so in fact, the wine department expanded the Italian section to accommodate the influx. Been drinking Brunello your entire life? Are you curious yet intimidated by Italian wines and varietals? No matter which end of the spectrum you find yourself on, or somewhere in the middle, now is the time. From high end to inexpensive, the choices, the quality and the pricing has never been better. What follows is a “hot seven,” of sorts, however I do encourage you to stroll through the Market to see the abundance of new and exciting wine! 2011 Schiavenza Barolo Prapò ($56) “Sweet cherry and plum notes are complemented by licorice, leather, tar and tobacco flavors in this muscular, beefy red, which is balanced, with a long aftertaste that emphasizes its savory, briary side. Best from 2019 through 2033. 275 cases made.” - Wine Spectator, 95 points. 2009 Vignalta “Agno Tinto” Rosso del Veneto ($21) 75% Petite Sirah is blended with 25% Syrah. In 1998, the 40-year-old vineyard of Tocai was grafted with Petite Sirah. This is the newest red wine at Vignalta and one of its most innovative. The wine has been greeted with a ‘standing ovation’. It is warm, with notes of raspberries and blackberries. Spicy and elegant …an iron fist in a velvet glove. 2014 Cantina Altarocca Arcosesto Bianco Orvieto Classico Superiore Umbria ($15) “Altarocca at 350m above sea level has a longer ripening season. Using classic Umbrian varietals, such as Grechetto and even Procanico, it has a deep respect for tradition, but also a highly modern approach to winemaking, using low yields, sustainable methods and the best technology. This wine is bright and sunny, with citrus and granite overtones.” -Small Vineyards 2008 La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany ($48) “Alluring from start to finish, this boasts cherry, earth, spice and mineral flavors. Firmly structured, remaining vibrant and long on the finish. Best from 2015 through 2026.” - Wine Spectator, 91 points. 2014 Tenute Rubino Susumaniello ‘Oltreme’ Salento Puglia ($13) Made from native grape Susumaniello, this conveys aromas of charred earth, mature plum and a hint of coffee bean. The soft, dense palate offers juicy black cherry, pomegranate, licorice and a note of black pepper alongside ripe, velvety tannins. 2014 Gran Passione Rosso Veneto ($12) This rich, deeply colored red is made from 60% Merlot and 40% Corvina from select vineyards in Veneto. In homage to the Amarone wines of Valpolicella, the vines are cut but the grapes are left to dry naturally on the vine, a method known as Appassimento. The result is a rich luscious nose full of sweet, ripe dark cherry, plum, vanilla and Christmas spice. The body is rich and velvety, with lots of juicy fruit. 2014 Erste + Neue Kellerei Rosso Classico Superiore Alto Adige Italy ($10) This 100% Schiava comes from select parcels within the micro– zone of Lago di Caldaro (Kalterersee) Classico Superiore. Its fragrance is reminiscent of spring wild flowers, crushed peppercorn, red and blue mountain fruits and hints of campfire. Light-to-medium bodied yet generous mouthfeel, with a balanced acidity and a brilliant fruity finish. 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 .

“Beauty in the Decay” For a spring treat, you have until the end of April to stop by the ArtXchange Gallery near Pioneer Square to see the Alan Lau exhibition “Beauty in the Decay.” His subtle Sumi-e ink, pastel and watercolor paintings envelop us like a walk in the woods. Lau studied Sumi-e ink brush painting, but intentionally aspires to a contemporary style that incorporates ink with layers of surface drawing in charcoal and chalk: “The spirit of the tradition looms behind me not as a rote model but as a continuing renewable source of encouragement to push ahead.” (Alan Lau, Blue Message , detail, sumi and mixed media on rice paper, 60x60) Each of his large paintings uses a different type of stroke, contrasting layers, and even shifts of tone, but all of them are embedded in nature, and the cycles of life. Also, enjoy the intimate watercolors, often of a fruit or vegetable in a precise condition of ripeness or incipient decay. Lau worked as produce manager at Uwajimaya for many years, an aesthetic adventure that gives him an intimate feeling for this topic. Lau writes eloquently about his work: “There is a modern poet who writes about weeds. For myself, there is something common, stubborn and oddly attractive about weeds and their random persistence. The simple beauty of nature, though it looks still to our eyes, is constantly teeming with activity. Sometimes it’s this quality I want to capture in my work--that of a seemingly quiet, inert surface alive with the continual process of change, decay and growth within its deepest layers." Coincidentally, I saw his exhibition immediately after visiting a Florida wildlife sanctuary. The photo I took with reflections of the sky, penetration under the water and the surface of decaying grass, with a diving bird, echoes Lau’s vision for his art. The ArtXchange exhibition provides a rare opportunity to conveniently see Alan Lau’s paintings in a Pioneer Square venue. For many years, he showed at Francine Seders Gallery up in Greenwood, until it closed a few years ago. As a pillar of the art community in Seattle, we also know him as a poet, art critic, curator and journalist. He will be reading his poetry at the gallery on April 21. ArtXchange Alan Lau — Beauty in the Decay 521 1st Ave. S, Seattle Municipal Tower and City Hall: the Art Venues While you are downtown, take the time to also visit the art galleries sponsored by Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture in City Hall and the Municipal Tower. They offer several surprises. First, and most easily found on the third floor of 700 Fifth Avenue, is the Ethnic Cultural Heritage Gallery, created by Preston Hampton. “What’s Left Behind,” by Satpreet Kahlon until April 15 addresses sexual violence and its aftermath of trauma. The closer we look at these works, the more we feel the intensity of Kahlon’s focus. For “Sharam (Shame),” the largest work, she tore and burned dozens of pieces of paper, then glued them to a 150 x 60 inch plastic sheet. In the center, she created the word, “Shame” as negative letters, written in Punjabi, clearly testifying to the after-effects of sexual violence. But the piece also speaks to survival as part of a community. Another work weaves layers of threads into plastic suggesting both fragility and cloaking. She particularly addresses women of color “by recognizing the burden they face to protect their communities while simultaneously advocating for themselves as victims.” Kahlon’s brave and intense exhibition encourages thoughtful engagement with a topic that is only rarely addressed in a public venue. (Satpreet Kahlon, Sharam (shame), 2016 detail, 130x60in, burnt paper, plastic sheeting, Ethnic Cultural Gallery) Not far away in “Seattle Presents,” a small space at Columbia St. and Fifth Avenue, the city launched a series of six exhibitions titled “Dialogues in Art: Exhibitions on Racial Injustice” with Barry Johnson’s “Signs of the Times.” Fortunately, I heard the artist speak about his work. Casually relaxed in layered pale grey shirts, he changes the narrative about African Americas from crime and poverty. Based on his statistical studies, he counters stereotypes. First, with stacks of mortarboards, he charted the dramatic increase in PH.D.s awarded to African Americans since the 1970s. Second, logos of major inventions by African Americans demonstrated their fundamental contributions to our world including the microphone, and three-color streetlight. Third, he defied prejudices about same sex couples with words like “nurture” “love” and “community ” written on red tape over a silhouetted couple. Although this exhibition has closed, the next in the series, “Jasmine Brown, Remembrance” features poignant icons of murdered young black men in the style of small medieval altars (you can compare them with Kehinde Wiley’s icons with a different purpose at his glamorous exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum). Jasmine Brown will be an artist-in-residence in the gallery on Thursdays from ten to three until May 13. (Barry Johnson installation, at Seattle Presents Gallery, Municipal Tower) But, we are not finished yet, with our tour of city-sponsored exhibitions. A third space, near the Ethnic Cultural Heritage Gallery in the municipal tower, currently features group exhibitions. From April 7 – June 29, 2016 “Cultural Perspectives” displays an amazing 66 works by 45 artists recently purchased by Seattle Public Utilities (that’s our one percent for art program still going strong after all these years, the upside of our construction mania). The current group show “Seattle Simplified, Part 2” featured multimedia, photography, and prints by such well –known artists as Jacob Lawrence, Juan Alonzo, and Mary Ann Peters. Finally, in the main lobby of City Hall itself (and on a lower level in the Ann Folke Gallery), the “Real Change Agents Portrait Project,” presents individually painted portraits of our Real Change vendors. These men and women, whom we normally meet by talking to them briefly as we buy our papers in the street, now gaze out at us directly. Each painting includes a detailed narrative of the vendor’s impressive survival amid diversity. While you are entering the City Hall lobby, take a minute to view the permanent installation by Vancouver artist, Eric Robertson Evolving Wing and the Gravity of Presence that evokes canoe journeys and the aerospace industry in a stunning semi abstract installation. So save on postage and pay your utility or tax bill in person in April, then enrich your day with a visit to these many exhibitions, as well as the Alan Lau exhibition at ArtXchange, not far away. Susan Noyes Platt, www.artandpoliticsnow.org

This winter has rewritten the rulebook for strong El Niños. Meteorologists were so certain that Southern California would be far wetter than normal, while the Pacific Northwest would be drier than normal. Instead, Southern California ended up with below-average rainfall for yet another winter, and the Pacific Northwest witnessed the rainiest winter in many locations on record. To our credit, many other things we predicted, such as a lack of lowland snowfall and above-normal temperatures throughout the West Coast, have come true, but still, this year is one many seasonal forecasters would like to forget. We’ve had several strong storm systems over the past 12 months. We had our summer blow on August 29 and an intense storm on November 17. We even had a significant storm on March 10 that caused extensive coastal flooding throughout the region and ripped a Bellingham Home Depot to shreds. But the most impressive storm, in my mind, has to be the one that occurred only three days later. ​It wasn’t the windiest storm, and it wasn’t the biggest. However, the low-pressure system itself was one of the most symmetrical, picturesque lows I have ever seen. It doesn’t take a meteorologist to see that this was an intense storm! Moreover, this storm tracked just off the Washington Coast, and our new coastal radar was able to pick up some incredible pictures. The day of the windstorm, I was teaching ski lessons up at Alpental, near Snoqualmie Pass. It was extremely gusty up there – I know that Summit West had a gust to 68 mph, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw similarly strong gusts at times at Alpental. It was quite a sight to see all of the snow being blown around. Many of the kids found the winds scary, but they persevered through the storm and were a pleasure to be with the entire day. Down here, winds were quite gusty. Sea-Tac gusted to 56 mph, Boeing Field gusted to 54, and the University of Washington gusted to 49. Winds were even higher up north, with Everett, Bellingham and the Whidbey Naval Air Station gusting to 60, 64 and 66 mph, respectively. As is usual, the coast was the windiest place of all. Aptly named Destruction Island clocked a 79 mph gust at 3 pm. One of my friends, a post-doctoral atmospheric sciences graduate from the University of British Columbia focusing on Pacific Northwest windstorms, estimated gusts of 55-60 mph by Seward Park based on tree damage nearby. Indeed, many trees were toppled in this storm due to the extraordinarily saturated soils from this past winter, including this one right by the #2 bus turnaround at the bottom of Madrona Hill. (Tree that fell under the storm’s fierce winds at the bottom of Madrona Hill. Courtesy of the author.) None of the individual storms this past year will go down in the record books. But, taken as a whole, this winter was one of the stormiest on record for the Pacific Northwest. Let’s hope next winter is a little bit calmer! ~Charlie Phillips Charlie Phillips, a Madrona resident, just received his B.S. in atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington. Check out his personal weather blog at www.charliesweatherforecasts.blogspot.com !

An outdoor gym of exercise equipment for adults will open in Powell Barnett Park, corner of Martin Luther King Way and East Alder Street, at 10am on April 30. There will be a brief ceremony at 10 am, followed by a ribbon cutting at 10:45 am and a demonstration of using the equipment given by neighborhood fitness instructor, Rebecca Francis. At 11:30 am, see a performance by the “Thrillers” dance group performing works by Michael Jackson. Group Health will provide FREE bicycle helmets for kids. Partners for the Fitness Center include the Powell Barnett Legacy Committee, Leschi Community Council, MOMentum, Trust for Public Lands, Seattle Parks Foundation, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as fundering sponsors: the Clarence E Heller Foundation, Tulalip Tribes Charitable Contributions, Stim Bullitt Excellence Fund, Coca Cola Foundation, Group Health, Outdoor Happiness Movement, Wyman Youth Trust, TEW Foundation, Moccasin Lake Foundation, and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. ~John Barber, Leschi CC, Parks and Openspace Committee Chair

Local Women in the News Wendy Ceccherelli and Pam Smith-Mentz, Leschi and Madrona residents respectively, are part of the Washington Masters Team traveling to Adelaide, Australia, for an international Dragon Boat Race beginning April 1. Twenty-five members of WAM, age 50 and over, will compete in races, which can range to 2000 meters (races of this length are not held in this country). Pam says, “I started paddling 12 years ago. My husband and I moved to Seattle, purchasing our first home in the PNW in Madrona, shortly before we were introduced to dragon boating. We were not familiar with dragon boating before seeing them on Lake Washington. We were walking along the waterfront one evening as some paddlers were headed out with Club SAKE at Leschi Marina. We inquired about the large canoe-like boats and were invited to give it a try. We did and loved it -- being out on the lake with the mountains as the backdrop was a perfect place to get in a workout right in the neighborhood and meet new people. I’m hooked on being out on the lake. I hadn’t paddled with an all-women’s team until this crew. I really love it! I’ve established friendships throughout the region and I am amazed at the commitment of this team.” And Wendy: “I was introduced to dragon boating in about 2004, when I helped organize the first two years of participation by the City of Tampa in a local dragon boat festival. After I moved back to Seattle, I met then-President of Seattle SAKE Dragon Boat Club (and also then-President of the Leschi Community Council) Matthew Goossen, who invited me out with the Leschi Club. I have been paddling ever since, and followed our coach Lesley Blyth, who envisioned a more competitive regional team that eventually morphed into WAM, from its earliest inception about four years ago.” Congratulations on your accomplishments and we will follow your progress “down under”! ~Diane Snell

These were the words uttered by Professor Henry McGee describing the demographic changes in Seattle at a recent meeting of the Seattle Neighborhood Coalition. He said two words describe Seattle: wealthy and white. He has studied both Portland and Seattle and found that black communities are a bellweather. He cited the Central District as an example; it was once a segregated black community, but as younger well-to-do groups lost their fear of blacks and wanted convenience (proximity to work and to urban amenities), they looked for housing that met their needs regardless of segregation status. The Black community was moving southward for a number of reasons: the younger generation wanted more house for the money and what they felt were better schools. The older generation followed as the community changed and they no longer felt a part of it. The new center of the black community is in Renton, Kent and Tukwila. Professor McGee’s talk came after the HALA (Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda) presentation, but seemed to belong before it. McGee spoke of the lower incomes being forced out of the city and the HALA approach seemed designed to alleviate that….slowly. Geoffrey Wentlandt represented the Office of Planning & Development. He listed the identified problems: 4,000 persons go without any shelter at all; 45,000 pay over half their income for shelter, and the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment has increased 29% over the last 5 years. HALA’s overall goal is to build 50,000 new units of housing: 20,000 for lower incomes and 30,000 market rate units. Developers will be allowed to build an extra floor if they include 5-7% affordable units or pay into a fund, which serves to finance a lower income building. There was some push-back from the audience as including affordable units would be faster than waiting for the fund to pay for an additional building. While Wentlandt did not go over all the strategies, he did focus on the supports that would be offered to current renters or seekers of units: Preservation Tax Exemption: incentives to preserve existing affordable housing. Strengthening Tenant Protections: Ban any increase of rent for apartment with any substandard issues and require 60 days notice if there is a planned increase of over 10%. Expand source of income discrimination protections (such as Section 8 vouchers, child support income, SSI). Concerns were expressed during the Q & A period: no focus on families with children, no focus on neighborhoods, some concern about make-up of the HALA group and one person said there should be a goal that enables those who work in the city, to live in the city. This struck home with me; I feel strongly that our teachers, firefighters, police staff, baristas, grocery clerks, etc. should be living in the neighborhoods where they work. I also felt the percentages for affordable units were very low; at the rate of 5-7% for affordable housing, we’ll be facing the same issues in another 10 years, as we are now with homelessness. That percentage is just too low! ~Diane Snell

Our March speaker, Nick Licata, was encouraging us to become citizen activists and more importantly than that, do it effectively! When speaking to elected officials, he urged us to not stop at asking for their support, but ask for their VOTE and even ask for their sponsorship of a bill that will accomplish what you are seeking. He used examples like the $15 per hour campaign to illustrate his suggestions. That campaign illuminated how clueless some politicians can be. If one gave any meaningful thought to the reality of trying to live on the (then) minimum wage in this city, one would realize it isn’t possible. Even $15 will be a struggle. The Washington Economic Institute’s Executive Director, John Burbank, said at a public meeting over a year ago, that if wages had followed the same trajectory as in the 50’s, the minimum wage would be $18 per hour and recently Noam Chomsky said on Alternative Radio, it would be $20 per hour. Boosting low wage workers’ wages not only gives them a living wage, but also boosts their purchasing power, resulting in greater sales at local businesses. Imagine being able to patronize the business where you work! We were able to begin our stairway cleaning again this month; the rain held off and the small crew of Jeff Floor, Janet Oliver, Tracy Bier, Jim Snell and the two Dianes were able to clean the King St. stairs and to pick up the scattered branches brought down in the recent windstorm. The Senior Center is currently short-staffed with building attendant positions open and it was a big help for us to spruce up the grounds. Diane Morris is sprucing up the Center’s flowerbeds every Thursday morning and is gracious about accepting volunteer help if you are free. After the stairway work party, Janet Oliver, our resident expert on all things transportation-oriented, took the Snells for a ride on the new link to the University campus. We caught the #8 bus to the Capitol Hill station where we joined what looked like all of Seattle residents trying to board the new train to the new U W station. Despite the crowds in the station, we were able to board quickly and find a seat. Janet sat next to a young woman who was ecstatic about the train and plans to take it every day on her way to college classes. There were musicians in the University station and musicians in the tents at both stops. Not sure what the policy on buskers will be; this may have been part of opening day festivities. Food trucks greeted us outside the U W station. One has to believe that this University stop will relieve some of the pre- and post-game traffic; it conveniently drops riders off at the entrance to Husky stadium. The ride itself was quiet and fast; the escalators up and down were equally smooth and quiet, a far cry from some of the old, creaky wooden escalators one finds in London. Seattle is slowly entering the 21st century! Be the change you want to see in the world. ~Gandhi ~Diane Morris & Diane Snell

Colman Park restoration A presentation by Margy Bresslour and Evan Wright on restoring Colman Park to the Olmstead vision, with special guest John Huizinga, Arborist. 7-7:30pm Panel Discussion on Moorage Issues Featuring Paul Wilkinson, Manager of Moorage for Parks, Paula Hoff, Parks and Marty Oppenheimer, Public Advisory Team member. 7:30-8pm at The Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S