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The Parks Department wants to contract marinas out to a private developer/manager like Foss. Many in PAT (Project Advisory Team), especially the Lakewood group, are very disappointed because this will mean huge rate increases. The leading Leschi team members are weary of the delay and want to speed up improvements to S. Leschi marina, regardless of the long-term issues. I remain with a minority opinion to downscale to only human-powered craft. ~John Barber

In the mid 1990’s, a sculpture by renowned African American artist, James Washington, Jr., was installed at the MidTown Center at 23rd & Union. The cover photo shows the artist sitting on the edge of the fountain, which at that time depicted salmon on their arduous return and was aptly named The Fountain of Triumph. Water actually flowed in the fountain then, but it sorely needs both repairs and restoration now. And the bigger concern is what will happen to it in the sale of the property to a new developer? How widely known is the work of this important artist? One can see his sculptures many places in town: one at the Odessa Brown Clinic (to the right of the entrance, nestled in the shrubbery) and one at the Seattle Center’s Playhouse (now the Cornish Playhouse.) It is located in the garden area in the lower patio level of the theater entrance. Unfortunately, his death occurred close to that of Jacob Lawrence, another African-American artist with more of an international reputation; this probably put Washington, his life and his work, in the shadow of his more famous contemporary. Washington and his wife, Janie, were mentors to artists and opened their studio to others during their lifetime. Upon their deaths, the home at 1816 26th Ave. became the Washington Foundation Museum and their mentoring was continued by creating an artist in residence program, providing a place for artists to work and live. The fountain belongs to the Bangasser family and Tom Bangasser has said he hopes it can remain in the Central Area. We do too, although some may wonder when they look at it now: the colors have faded and it has not been a functioning fountain for quite some time. It is often the depository for litter from passers-by, a sad fate for a work of art by an important Seattle artist. A small group of us wants to keep an eye on this work of art to make sure it doesn’t disappear in the many changes at the 23rd & Union intersection and to try to get a larger organization to take on the repair, renovation and possible removal to another site, if that becomes necessary. ~Diane Snell with the help of Susan Platt, Art Critic, and Carolyn Walden, who has been known as the Fountain Lady in the past.

February 9, 2016—Attending: Diane Snell, Diane Morris, Kim Murillo, Jeff Floor, Yousef Shulman, Amy Fink, Janet Oliver, John Barber, and Tracy Bier. Treasury/Kim We rec’d a $1000 Sparks Grant as reimbursement for 2015 expenses. Kim made a motion to put the grant into a restricted fund to benefit the annual Art Walk. Diane noted that in doing this we would be forgoing general fund reimbursement to establish and Art Walk Fund. The motion carried, the vote was unanimous. LURC/Jeff The current issue is the Promenade 23 redevelopment project. Several LCC board members attended the LURC and Vulcan public meetings. Affordability – both with the project and how it affects the neighborhood -- was a big issue with the neighbors in attendance. Also, there was an emphasis on keeping local businesses in the neighborhood and big-box stores out. Vulcan gave the impression they want their project to benefit the specific needs of the community. 23rd Ave Issues/Diane S. Diane attended a meeting with small business owners and Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. The ongoing SDOT work on the street is taking a toll on their businesses. The construction has made it difficult to police to respond to crime in the area (e.g. jewelry store incident). Diane and Tracy recommended that the council write SDOT about the situation. The council also discussed a shopping flash mob idea Madrona came up with to help businesses on 23rd. Parks/John Leschi Marina – Parks rewarded the contract to Foss. Feedback about dogs in the parks – Is there a possibility for an off-leash area? Just FYI that this is being discussed. Cheasty Bike Park – The hearing examiner overruled the city’s determination of non-significance, and the proponents will need to produce an EIS. Frink Park – Some paths may have been built through wetlands; John and Darrell will inspect and report back. Website/Yousef Kirsten Hopperstad will work with Yousef on finding a hosting site and will work on the migration in June. Stairways/Diane M. Do we need to cancel the March stair clean due to weather? Also, if there are any stairways that should come first, please let Diane Morris know. Programming John proposed a general meeting featuring Foss to discuss Leschi Marina issues.

Madrona News Editor Barbara Parker writes this month’s editorial. We both received calls from a worried business owner and Barbara graciously offered to write up the concerns. The 23rd Ave. construction mess has created many challenges, but especially for small business owners on and near 23rd Ave. At present, only a single southbound lane of 23rd is open from Union to Jackson, and soon there will also be a southbound lane only along 23rd to Madison. And as we all know, cross streets are frequently closed for utility and other work, creating additional challenges for small business owners. But the construction mess is not going to get better soon. The timeline for completing work from Jackson to Cherry started late and is going to be extended by at least three months; construction between Cherry and Union was started earlier than planned; and it is not a sure bet that any phase of the project will be completed as scheduled. A group of business owners on and near affected areas of 23rd met in late Jan. to discuss their concerns. Together, they agree that something they really need is for the public to be aware that businesses are open and need the public to support local area shops. Small business owners are especially vulnerable to downturns in traffic, so it is up to us to remember that and make every effort to boost our presence at businesses on and near the 23rd Ave. Doing so could be the crucial element to sustain small businesses and keep our neighborhoods interesting and exciting. Going forward, small business owners intend to meet to collaborate on tactics that can help keep them all in business. Those assembled represent a wide range of businesses all along 23rd, including Earl’s Cuts & Styles; Oda Barber Shop (which closed because of the construction); Update Barber Shop, Uncle Ike’s; Sea Suds; 99 Cent Plus; Arco AM/PM; Magic Dragon Chinese Eatery; WGM Jeweler & Company; 701 Coffee; Midtown Center; and Flowers Just 4-U. For information about future meetings, please contact Sara Brereton at 701 Coffee at 779-5482 or 701coffee@gmailcom . Following a Seattle Times front page article in early Feb. explaining the plight of 23rd Ave. merchants affected by construction, the City of Seattle agreed to reorder its construction schedule to reopen 23rd between Jackson and Yesler in March, one to two months earlier than currently planned. The Office of Economic Development will also provide $102,000 of new funding for marketing the area and business support — but not direct mitigation payments to area businesses. The city said the additional funding follows recent grants of $220,000 for “economic and cultural development projects” in the Central District. So for now: keep patronizing these businesses or stop in for the first time to show your support for small business owners in and near 23rd Ave. ~Barbara Parker, Madrona News Editor Note from Leschi News Editor: It has since been clarified by the city’s Office of Economic Development that the promised $102,000 is NOT in addition to the previously promised $200,000 but is in fact, a reduction to $102, 000 despite the economic hardship. Many of these businesses are months behind in rent.

Love is in the air. This month we feature two categories of wine. First, you’ll see a few high-end, high scoring, rare behemoths that you could cuddle up with on a cold, gray day. Second, intriguing new Italian imports that have captured our heart. Usually the offering is a Hot Seven list, but I figured since this February has an extra day, why not throw in an extra wine and make it a Great Eight list! 2012 Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains ($58) “Taut and vibrant, the 2012 Chardonnay is one of this winery’s finest. This tiny winery in Saratoga is one of California’s underappreciated treasures. Mount Eden is a labor of love, producing small amounts of Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay comes from two shy-bearing parcels on the mountaintop, giving a mix of ripe and structured cuvées that spend a year in French oak and undergo full malolactic fermentation. The wines are styled to age for 10 years or longer.” -#5 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2015, 95 points. 2013 Brick House Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais Ribbon Ridge ($51) “Fresh and expressive, soft in texture, this offers generous flavors of cherry, raspberry and clove that linger effortlessly against velvety tannins. Drink now through 2023. 517 cases made.” –Wine Spectator, 93 points. 2012 Baer Ursa Columbia Valley ($37) “The core glows with ripe blackberry, dark plum, mint and floral flavors, gliding over lightly prickly tannins into the long and compelling finish. Feels almost weightless, but has tremendous depth. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2020.” #28 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2015, 94 points. 2011 Reverdito Barolo ($22) Michele Reverdito is what they call a “rising star” winemaker in Barolo. “The best deal in Barolo I’ve ever found. Any fan of Nebbiolo, and really any fan of Italian wine, should not miss out on this. All the character of Barolo is in here—complex aromas of licorice and rose, dark red fruit on the palate. This will be a staple at my house given its ridiculous quality-to-price factor and the fact that I can pop the cork and drink it. Why settle for simple Langhe Nebbiolo when you can drink Barolo any night of the week?” –northwest-wine.com. 2013 Struzziero Irpinia Dry White Coda di Volpe Italy ($14) 100% Coda di Volpe (foxtail), named for the shape of the cluster. Coda di Volpe is a white Italian wine grape varietal that has been historically grown in the Campania region around the town of Naples. It has rich and intense scents of fruit and flowers with notes of orange. Fresh and soft to the palate, it has tones of citrus fruits and quince. 2013 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. Drink through 2016. New item 2014 Monte Tondo Corvina Rosso Veneto Italy ($11) Corvina is the great grape of the Valpolicella region, but it is almost always blended with other varietals to create the classic Valpolicella cuvée. Monte Tondo’s Corvina is extraordinarily rare. It is redolent of pie cherries, Seville orange peel, pepper, and crushed stones. Bitter medicinal herbs and fine tannins work alongside brisk acidity to make this one of the most versatile and table-ready wines. ALSO! Stay tuned for next month when we unveil the 2nd installment of the Leschi Market Wine Awards. The Top-10 wines of 2015 as well as several other smaller awards mixed in. Always a fun read and recap of the last year’s worth of wine. 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 .

A public meeting convened this past March 5 at Centerstone (18th Avenue & Cherry) brought people out to brainstorm the possibilities for marking the history of the site at 24th and Union, most recently occupied by Key Bank, and currently under consideration simultaneously for a low-income housing project and for historic landmark designation. Background The phenomenon of “redlining” is neither pretty nor flattering for our country’s history. The Central District was one of the many urban neighborhoods in the US where banks were reluctant to conduct business, including locating branches there or, most significantly, not lending for any properties within zones identified as too risky for investment. Drawn out on maps, the zones coincided with predominantly African American neighborhoods and paralleled the similar reluctance – whether by explicit policy or otherwise – to lend to people of color, regardless of their neighborhood or economic status. Combined with the covenants in some private developments that barred minority buyers, the net effect led to economic depression, a lack of infrastructure upkeep and dwindling property values within minority neighborhoods. In 1968 a group of Central Area African American residents took matters in their own hands and formed Liberty Bank, with a branch at Union Street and 24th Avenue. Liberty served the community for 20 years before hitting hard times and reorganizing in 1988 as Emerald City Bank, which lasted for another five years until being bought out by Key Bank, which maintained a branch there for another 20 years. At that point, Key’s management determined the continual losses from operating a brick & mortar branch at this location had become excessive and approached Capitol Hill Housing (CHH) to gauge interest in developing a low-income housing project on the property. Not wanting to step on any toes of other organizations more active in this part of town, CHH in turn approached Central Area Development (CADA), who declined involvement in favor of focusing on their already full slate of programs. CHH has since carried the effort further and is looking to build a project that would have a mix of two- and three-bedroom units, along with some one-bedroom and studios, and all well below market rate, available to qualifying renters earning less than 40% of the area median income. Meeting Proceedings The assembled group of around 20 people came up with a variety of thoughtful ideas, including parameters for any art that is incorporated (i.e., it be publicly visible at all times); that there be an educational component regarding redlining; salvage material from the existing building for re-use in a new one; naming the new building after Liberty Bank; and contracting with minority firms for construction. CHH representative Katie Porter indicated that they will be forming an advisory group for gathering community input throughout the design and construction process, and have been actively engaging NAAM for input on the historic narrative. The mood in the room was serious and committed, with a distinct majority of attendees expressing some degree of support for the project and a hopeful sense that a meaningful gesture could be made with the new work to keep the memory of what had happened here alive for future generations. Despite the obvious need for this type of housing in our time of gentrification and escalating housing prices in the Central Area however, the proposed project is not without its controversy. One person present, Omari Garrett, declared extreme misgivings, claiming that his family still has legal right to the property. He has submitted the property to the city’s Landmark and Preservation board for historic designation, for which it has passed the first hurdle. A subsequent public meeting will be held at Seattle Municipal Tower on March 19 (after this story has gone to press) for consideration of the Landmark proposal. Ms. Porter of CHH made it clear that if the existing building is maintained, the proposed project cannot happen. ~Jeff Floor

Some of the fog that has hung over the Promenade 23 site in recent years has lifted somewhat. At a February 4 community meeting hosted by the Central Area Land Use Review Committee (LURC – full disclosure: the author is a co-chair), Vulcan’s design team led by Rundberg Architecture Group presented their early thinking for the shape of the re-development of the commercial land south of Jackson Street, east of 23rd Avenue. Using photographs and hand-drawn sketches, they walked the assembled crowd of over 100 interested residents through a vision of accommodating a new grocer, additional small retail, and over 500 apartments. Many of the design moves are an undeniable improvement over the current state of affairs for this block, which by any definition is a strip mall, turning its big blank back to the residential blocks behind. The team’s treatment of the exterior spaces shows a pleasing series of outdoor spaces – one at the corner, one at the current crosswalk from Walgreen’s, and most significantly, a pedestrian route right through the heart of the site to the neighborhood to the south. At 60-feet wide, the path is the equivalent of a full city street and in fact recaptures the alignment of 24th Avenue that at one time connected the neighborhood to Jackson Street. Currently, 24th dies into a two-story block wall, the backside of Red Apple. Giving this route back to public access is serious commitment to the public good, and assuming there is adequate activity in the adjoining retail spaces, the whole ensemble of exterior plazas can contribute quite well to the community. A trickier aspect of the redevelopment is foremost in the minds of the majority of attendees, however: affordability in the rising tide of gentrification and increased housing costs in this part of town. To many of the vocal residents assembled in the lobby of Ernestine Anderson Place, what the project looks like architecturally, or how it engages the public realm, pales in comparison to what a new development like this might do to rents throughout the area. Vulcan has offered their participation in the Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program as one gesture toward this concern. The MFTE commits a project to providing at least 20% of the units at rates affordable to a person making less than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for 12 years. Unfortunately, that income figure is based not on just the immediate environs, but the whole of King County, and many gathered contended that this skews the rents upward. This issue raises an interesting conundrum: is it even possible for-profit developer – a well-meaning, locally based one, with a dedicated team of caring professionals even – meet that need for affordability within a capitalist context? The answer will be a fascinating one to follow over the next year, as this project moves through design and permitting, with a construction start slated for late 2017. On February 17, Vulcan moved one step closer along that time line when it announced it had purchased the land straddling Jackson Street, for an announced sale price of $30.9 million. ~Jeff Floor, Leschi CC Board member and Co-Chair, Land Use Review Committee Note: Vulcan will be making a presentation on this project at the next Central Area Neighborhood District Council meeting on March 10 at 6pm. at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S.

Bike shops are all about bikes, gear and service. But...What if your bicycling was the priority? At The Bicycling Store, customers are invited to learn about their bike and bicycling. Like checking your bike for safety and maintenance and making adjustments and repairs. And riding your bike from learning to balance for the first time to emergency maneuvers like quick stopping and turning. And most important: learning to drive with the traffic, confidently and safely. Ever tried that through a bike shop? Why are essential traffic skills missing? Bicycling is becoming popular through a political process rather than a process of personal responsibility and riding competency. Advocates spend their time promoting bike facilities rather than the driving skills bicyclists need to ride with traffic. Our brain is the most sophisticated and complicated entity in the known universe, and the flood of new brain research and powerful behavior studies are revealing the importance of managing our thoughts for curiosity, learning, change and growth. That’s what’s necessary for successful outcomes in our lives...and I believe, our bicycling. At The Bicycling Store, conversation and coaching encourage learning about our options, how to evaluate them and make decisions. Often people are busy and focussed on resolving their bike issues through traditional services, but if you are open to learning and interesting conversation, you could leave with something far more meaningful. ~David Smith

At the March meeting of the East Precinct Advisory Council (EastPAC), a meeting of citizens and authorities of the Seattle Police Department, members and officers spoke on crime activity and block watches. EastPAC is a monthly forum of those who live, work or have some other tie to Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct. Block watches have been around in Seattle since the 1970s when they were established to deal with the heavy crime problem. Block watches are programs based on the idea that neighbors collaborating can be the first and best line of defense to prevent and react to crime. The neighbors organize themselves to watch for crime in their area so they are better prepared to contact the police and be witnesses in the event of a crime. Block watch captains work with the police and each other to remain as current as possible on crime patterns. West Seattle block watch captains network have utilized technology to help block watch captains and police work together as efficiently as possible. Organizers use Facebook and email to get information and newsletters out to members as fast as possible. Social media can also be used to get people involved by informing them of the existence of block watches and the possibilities in their areas. Even one meeting for a neighborhood to get to know each other can make neighbors more inclined to contact the police if they witness a crime being committed. Petty crimes that are prevented with the help of block watches have gone down in Seattle, but lately there have been many instances of gang activity according to Lt. Dan Whelan of the Seattle Police Department. Many of the same individuals have started violent altercations in Seattle and as far south as Renton, Kent, and Tukwila. The 12 gang detectives of the Seattle Police Force have good leads on many of these young men, most younger than 20. Captain Davis expressed his support for block watches in Seattle. He stated that motor vehicle thefts and car prowls are down and stressed the importance of the police force working with block watches in order to continue to suppress crime. Many of the speakers suggested that citizens attend a block watch meeting and look into the possibility of starting a block watch in their neighborhood. It is also greatly beneficial to know who the local Community Police Team officers are. To start a block watch in the East Precinct, call Terrie Johnston, (206)-233-0015. The phone number for the East Precinct CPT is 684-4370. ~Kai Griem (Editor: Kai is a student at Garfield High School. He attended this meeting with our Public Health & Safety Chair, Tracy Bier and wrote this article for the Leschi News. East Precinct is one of the categories now listed on our website; the EastPAC meetings occur in the last week of the month after our Leschi News deadline so the notes have always been late. This way we can put the latest information on the website in a more timely manner, but this does not mean we will be following daily crime news. We don’t have the staff for that; we refer you to the East Precinct blog.)

From Christopher Williams, Acting Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation: Dear Moorage Tenants and Project Advisory Team Members, This is the first in a series of regular updates we are starting to keep tenants informed of upcoming operational changes, project updates and future improvements to the Leschi and Lakewood Moorages. (The background was noted; this information is on our website.) Parks developed the following overarching goals to guide recommendations for the PATs and form the basis for our path forward: Maintain public ownership of the moorages; Provide safe, accessible and affordable moorage for Seattle residents; Protect shoreline habitat; Improve public access and community benefit without compromising security; Create quality facilities that are competitive in the marketplace; Enhance the sailing heritage at Leschi; Make moorages self-sustaining for ongoing capital upkeep and maintenance; and Ensure concessionaire quality with performance measures and regular auditing of the new concessionaire contract. Upcoming Operational Changes Last week, we gave 30-day notice to the current concessionaire that we will be terminating their contract. Parks will be taking over management, operations and maintenance of both the Lakewood and Leschi moorages beginning June 1, 2015. Once we get closer to the date we will provide you with contact information for the Parks staff in charge of operating these facilities. This management structure will be in place until we select a long-term concessionaire to make capital improvements and operate the moorage facilities. Future Plans for the Moorage Facilities Parks has determined that our goals can be best achieved by a private partner with the expertise and capital to make the marinas economically sustainable. Moorage operations are not a core line of business for Seattle Parks and Recreation and proceeding with a private investor, who has experience in this field, makes the most sense. We explored a number of options and a private/public partnership is the best option. It makes sense not only financially, but also from a customer service perspective. As you know, the condition of our moorages is getting worse by the day. Parks will issue a new RFP for a concessionaire to take over operations of the marinas, make the necessary capital improvements and perform ongoing major maintenance. Parks will continue to involve the community in the planned RFP process and ongoing operation. The new RFP will incorporate input from the PAT processes and at least one PAT member will be directly involved with its development. Once we have selected the Operator/Developer we will work hand in hand with them from start to finish and set up a process for continual evaluation of the contract, as well as opportunities for continual check-ins with the tenant community and surrounding neighborhood. In addition, we will work together to ensure that tenants and the community are up to date on construction timelines and moorage/neighborhood impacts. We are committed to ensure that the new RFP will address the individual needs at both facilities through one concessionaire, while recognizing that the space and surrounding neighborhood of the Lakewood Moorage is different from the Leschi neighborhood. Much of what we heard from the PATs will be included in the RFP process, both through the RFP and through the agreement with the successful operator. Project Updates In the last year and a half, there have been a number of urgent repairs that have occurred at South Leschi: Removed outer slips from service due to structural issues. Modified decking on all walkways including: Provided slip resistant (painted with granular material) high-density plywood overlay of existing decks. Mechanically fastened overlay to existing deck sub structure. Modified all connecting joints to include metal bottom plate to more strongly hold sections in place. Longitudinal thread rods reattached under deck to strengthen structures to resist twisting motion. Replaced main electrical circuit breaker panel and all breakers. Replaced service wire and individual receptacles at each slip. Repaired and remounted each light station at each slip. Sincerely, Christopher Williams, Acting Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation

Gardening 101 Who knew that those coffee grounds from your cuppa (or several) could have a second life in your garden, whether flower or vegetable beds? Many of us toss our coffee grounds and coffee filters in to the yard waste bin (a good thing), but a recent article by Melissa McGinn (Madison Park Times, November 2015) suggests an even better solution for home gardeners. Coffee grounds are a rich source of nitrogen with a ph that is essentially neutral. This is a good thing to add to our acidic Northwest soil. If you have a worm bin, those red wrigglers just “adore coffee grounds.” The rough texture of the grounds sprinkled around veggie and flower plants helps deter slugs and snails from feasting on your crops. Adding crushed eggshells to the mix is even more effective. Cats usually dislike the texture and aroma of coffee grounds, so they may not use our garden as a litter box. Other uses for coffee grounds by non-gardeners suggested by Jennifer Simpson in This Old House magazine: Deodorize your refrigerator Clean tools and dishware Hide scratches on dark furniture Give paper an “antique” look Exfoliate hands when washing after handling garlic or fish Reduce dust from fireplace ash ~Diane Morris

BOOK REVIEW The map of the scenic byways of Madrona and Leschi are just part of the pleasure of Jake Jaramillo and Cathy Jaramillo’s Seattle Stairway Walks . This is a beautifully constructed pocket-sized guidebook as the books publisher, The Mountaineers Books, is so well known for. It’s packed with 25 walking tours, with detailed instructions, photographs and stories. Jake and Cathy led a tour of the Madrona/Leschi walk on February 9 and I was happy to tag along with the group of 20. We began at St. Therese’s School, wound our way down to Madrona Woods, hooked through the Madrona Stream Restoration, then up and down Leschi streets and stairways, past the Leschi Natural Area, finishing where we started—after climbing down 371 stairs and up 299 stairs. I wasn’t sure how I would do, since I hadn’t done that much climbing in a while, but it went well for me and seemed okay with the rest of us. Along the way, we had talks about neighborhood history and a pitch for joining FeetFirst, the tour’s sponsor. What is so special about these tours? To me, it’s the surprises and discoveries along the way—sudden views, spectacular homes snuggled in the hilly woods, treasured habitat areas nurtured by local volunteers, and great cues for walking shortcuts. It’s not bad exercise either. Jake and Cathy are obviously head over heels in love with their adopted city, having moved here a decade ago from southern California. This book is highly recommended. I grabbed my copy at Costco, but many local bookstores are carrying it. I’m keeping it in a zip-locked bag as it’s destined to weather frequent excursions. Oh, and check FeetFirst on Facebook for more photographs of stairway walking tours, and the website feetfirst.org. Who knows, walking with FeetFirst could become a habit, just as tromping with this book could become a habit! ~John Barber