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A. McLean Emenegger! That is the name of the dynamic director of the unusually titled AMcE Creative Arts gallery located at 612 19th Ave East. As I walked along 19th Street, its small storefront popped out with the ceramics by Sonja Peterson. The director herself was explaining the significance of several offbeat cookie jars by Ryan Kelly. It was clear that this dynamic woman was articulate! She told me she came from Los Angeles and had worked in all aspects of art for over 20 years. She began in television, ran a gallery, curated, career coached artists, edited an art magazine, worked in marketing, and makes art. And writes about it. Whew. Her goal is to bring people together for a shared human experience. The current exhibition is edgy, although its title would not suggest that. “Sacred” includes five artists: painter Niki Keenan, painter and ceramic artist Kendra Larson, ceramic artist Holly Hudson, experimental mixed media photographer Christine Nguyen, and mixed media artist Io Palmer. The theme of the exhibition is the intersection of humans and nature, but more than that the idea of sublime, the sense that nature is overwhelming and uplifting. The paintings in the exhibition seem to most directly express the sublime. Kendra Larson’s Tree of Knowledge and Niki Keenan’s Sunbeam Marsh are both landscapes, emphasizing trees with strange colors and light. Keenan’s painting emphasizes the sun breaking through a forest that is dense with tangled trees. Larson’s Astral Slugs feels more like swamp trees. In the sky are “astral slugs”—large slugs curling around the blue sky. I just came from the new exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum “Mystic Modern” which suggests the intersection of especially surrealism with the earlier well known “mystics” like Mark Tobey and Kenneth Callahan. I see the same intersection here, only more removed from classical surrealism. These artists are surreal in their own original way. Christine Nguygen’s “Deer Spirit.” Archival pigment ink on Entrada Moab paper with salt crystals, 40” x 33” Christine Nguyen creates magic with a unique technique. She draws and paints on both sides of a negative (her background is in photography). She overlays the two sides and photographs them, then prints it. She then immerses it in a salt bath which adheres serendipitously to the surface. The result is a sparkling image. My favorite is Deer Spirit in which the deer’s antlers become a tree and echo the tree-like form nearby. As articulately explained on the website: “The pieces fluctuate between the micro and macro-worlds while connecting the flora and fauna to the celestial heavens of stars and planets as part of her ongoing investigations of our connection to the natural world” (AMcE Creative Arts). Holly Hudson is a bigger stretch to connect to “the Sacred” or the sublime. Her ceramics are pure fantasy, though: Jerome’s Lion is a young lion covered in flowers. Rooted features a ceramic foot with a thick tangle of roots growing out of its sole. Green Man has a face half covered in flowers, and The Seer is a large eye surrounded by flowers. What these ceramics have in common (they are both glazed and unglazed) is a sense of eerie fantasy. Io Palmer’s “The Cut Through,” 2026 – installation view detail. Ceramic, glaze, painted wood, metal brace, wire, plexiglass, size variable (installed 43 x 81 x 12 in.) Io Palmer’s work achieves the “sacred” in an entirely different way. She creates a combination of glazed ceramic shapes that become clusters of organic forms as they seem to move in clusters across a wall. She has spoken of her open, winding forms as transforming and liberating, overcoming the restrictions she has experienced as a woman of color. The work speaks of flowering branches that are clustered in segments. They do not relate to a specific natural form, but to a sense of nature as freeing. She lives in the Palouse and teaches as a Professor of Art at Washington State University where the landscape is open and has few trees or shrubs. She seems to be creating that in her work as well. To return to the gallery and its director, the location of AMcE Creative Arts, far from other galleries, seems to liberate the owner to pursue her own path. She said people drop in all the time—her neighbors are her friends, but she does not participate in art walks. You are in for a treat when you visit this gallery. The next exhibition is a selection of her gallery artists. You can preview them on the gallery website. I am not familiar with most of them but it is clear that A. McLean Emenegger is bringing an entirely new vibe to our small Seattle art scene. ~Susan Noyes Platt, PhD. Art Historian and Art Critic artandpoliticsnow.com

After a year’s delay due to bird nesting season, there’s exciting progress to share at the Leschi Natural Area—and you can see the difference. In March, a professional crew working under the guidance of the Parks Department cleared invasive blackberries from the steep slope. The results are immediate and dramatic: more light, more open space, and expanded views of the lake. What once felt overgrown and closed-in now feels brighter and more welcoming. This work was made possible through a strong partnership. The Leschi Community Council contributed $6,000—funds raised through past community efforts and dedicated specifically to the Natural Area—while the Parks Department contributed an additional $9,000 to support the project. The impact goes beyond the view. Native plants that were previously choked by invasive blackberries have now been freed and have a chance to thrive. If you walk through the space, you’ll also notice plants installed by volunteers beginning to emerge and establish themselves. This professional work builds on the many volunteer work parties that have taken place over time, and together, the progress is clear. From the entrance of the park to the overlook to the lower trails, the increase in light and visibility is striking. Work will continue through the year with careful removal of remaining weeds, both manually and, where appropriate, through targeted treatments—ensuring continued progress while protecting the landscape. This is a major step forward in restoring the Leschi Natural Area—and a reminder of what’s possible through community effort and partnership. ~Nikola Davidson

Late in the nineteenth century, the desirable part of the neighborhood later to be called Leschi was on the precipice of Mount Baker Ridge, then known as Rainier Heights. That was considered to be the best view property. People of some means built their homes there, especially along 30th Avenue South, which was called Rainier Street until Seattle’s comprehensive street renaming of 1895. Some of those fine, large structures remain to this day, among them the one now known as Judge Ronald House. Judge Ronald House, 421 30th Avenue South, 1913. Seattle Times photo. James T. Ronald was not the builder, but he bought the home not long after the Great Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889. He hired a Virginia architect to remodel what was originally a small house, spending $30,000 on the project. When he was done, the living room, 36 feet long, took up one side of the home. Also added was a library with a horizontal band of painted hunting scenes, commissioned by Mr. Ronald, at the top of the walls. The four distinctive columns in the front suggest the character of a Southern plantation, reflecting his family’s Virginia ancestry. The renovations were completed by 1904, in time for his daughter Eva’s wedding the following year. A 1913 photo shows a semi-circular porch, which would have had a magnificent view of Mt. Rainier, atop the first floor on the south side. That porch remained until at least the late 1930s but was gone by 1965. Judge Ronald (appointed to the bench in 1909) sold the house in about 1930, and a family named Babcock ran it as a select boarding house. Classified ads in 1940-1941 offered room and board (“excellent meals”) for young businessmen and women at Tara Hospitality House. In September 1941, the City Planning Commission rejected an application to convert the building into an apartment house. By 1944 it catered to Boeing workers, all of them male. In 1955, however, a permit was granted to a C. S. Risvold for conversion of the property into a six-unit apartment house. The building was described in a 1957 Seattle Times article as a children’s day nursery. In that story, the Times mentioned that a laborer who worked there was arrested for murder. He had at least 20 prior arrests, including two for manslaughter. At some point the house became a residence for “young men down on their luck,” according to the Times. Then, in December 1966, a non-profit group called In-As-Much (a part of the human services agency Pioneer Industries) leased the building for use as a halfway house for male parolees and probationers, with space for 28 residents. A parole officer had his office in the building, which became known as Ronald Hall. The organization was founded by a lawyer who had tried cases in Judge Ronald’s courtroom. He also knew something about parolees, having been one himself: he had been convicted of misappropriation of client funds and served 20 months in state prison. The house later became a home for women. In 1970, Pioneer turned the premises over to the Washington Drug Rehabilitation Center, a church group. Eventually, it was sold to private owners and has changed hands a few times since. The house was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and designated as a City of Seattle landmark in 2014. Judge Ronald House recently. Windermere Real Estate photo. Numerous recent interior photos of the house are shown at https://seattledreamhomes.com/historic-judge-james-t-ronald-in-leschi-neighborhood-of-seattle. Next month: the life of Judge Ronald ~Roger Lippman The author writes monthly about Leschi history and his experiences over more than 50 years in the neighborhood.

Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced that Lake Washington Boulevard will open for Bicycle Weekends every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. “Seattle summers are beautiful, and we should be able to enjoy them,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “We’re opening Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend to make more space for people to bike, walk, roll, and be outside. This is your city, and it should be easy to get out and enjoy our sunny days.” Beginning Memorial Day weekend and every weekend through Labor Day, a portion of Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed to motorized vehicles, creating safe, car-free space along the waterfront for people to walk, bike, and roll. The route offers a continuous stretch for biking, jogging, and walking throughout the summer. On holiday weekends, closures will be extended an additional day to include the holiday: Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) Friday, July 3 (Fourth of July) Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) There will be no Bicycle Weekend August 1–2 due to Seafair. Local access: People driving to homes along the boulevard, including residents, visitors, and deliveries, may enter from the nearest cross street. Parking: Park parking lots will remain open and accessible from the nearest cross street. Schedule: Every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Holiday weekends are denoted with an asterisk.The 2026 event dates are: Saturday, May 23 — Monday, May 25* Saturday, May 30 — Sunday, May 31 Saturday, June 6 — Sunday, June 7 Saturday, June 13 — Sunday, June 14 Saturday, June 20 — Sunday, June 21 Saturday, June 27— Sunday, June 28 Friday, July 3 — Sunday, July 5* Saturday, July 11— Sunday, July12 Saturday, July 18 — Sunday, July 19 Saturday, July 25 — Sunday, July 26 Saturday, August 8 — Sunday, August 9 Saturday, August 15 — Sunday, August 16 Saturday, August 22 — Sunday, August 23 Saturday, August 29 — Sunday, August 30 Saturday, September 5 — Monday, September 7* ~Anne Depue

We elect our Leschi Community Council executive board members for two-year terms in even-numbered years. To read our by-laws and learn more about positions, visit our website at leschicommunitycouncil.org and select LCC By-laws under the About tab. All active supporting members of LCC are eligible to vote. To qualify as an active supporting member, you must be current on annual dues. At the time of publication, we have three candidates nominated for Board member positions, but there is still an opportunity to nominate yourself or someone else. Contact Nikola (Nominating Committee Chair) at leschivp@gmail.com if you would like to run or nominate someone. President: Ashley Martin has been nominated for a second term. She is a 12-year Leschi resident who supported the LCC as a member prior to joining the board, joining as a volunteer in 2021. She believes that a connected neighborhood community is important, and that our Leschi community also contributes to making Seattle more vibrant and strong. Vice President: Nikola Davidson has been nominated for a second term. She is a 26-year Leschi resident and has made significant contributions during her time on the board. She has helped plan our most engaging community meetings and also designed a membership renewal program. She has provided Parks and Greenspace leadership, including activating the Leschi Natural Area restoration, organizing work parties and facilitating a strong relationship between Seattle Parks and our local park stewards. Secretary: Maya Cutforth has been nominated for Secretary. Maya has lived in Leschi for 4 years. She has loved getting involved with the LCC as a way to get to know her neighbors and to learn about everything from parks to politics to local history. She would be a welcome addition to the board, bringing a fresh perspective as well as strategic planning and good communication skills. Treasurer: Matthias Linnenkamp, our current Treasurer, has served two terms, which means he has termed out. We don’t have another candidate, so he has accepted the nomination to serve another term. He has documented the responsibilities, streamlined the reporting process and is training a new volunteer to help out with some of the Treasurer tasks. We would like to transition this to a new Treasurer in 2028, so please contact him at leschitreasurer@gmail.com to learn more. ~Ashley Martin

On February 27, members of the Leschi Community Council met with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) staff, neighboring condominium residents, and local Life Scouts to discuss plans for improving the Dearborn Street End. Omar Akkari, SDOT’s Shoreline Street Ends Program Coordinator, shared a draft concept plan for the site. The proposal focuses on replacing the existing lawn with native plantings and a defined pathway while also refreshing the two existing benches. The goal is to create a welcoming space that balances shoreline habitat, public access, and the views that neighbors enjoy today. Preserving the lake view is a key priority in the design. Taller plants would be placed around the edges of the space, while the center area would remain lower to maintain sightlines to the water. Maintaining visibility into the site is also an important safety consideration. One idea discussed was planting red-flowering currant along the condominium side of the street end. Urban Forestry staff will help determine the best placement for new trees, including a slow-growing shore pine. Any trees planted will be selected and located with views in mind and are expected to remain relatively modest in height. Another possibility is a smaller willow that would reach roughly 15 feet at maturity. As trees grow, they will be limbed up over time to help preserve views of the lake. Several groundcover and shoreline plantings were also discussed. Low-growing strawberries may be used along the slope, while the heavily shaded southern edge of the site will require shade-tolerant plants. Bullrushes are also being considered along the shoreline to help stabilize the bank and improve water quality. Because the site includes underground utilities such as sewer lines, planting locations will need to account for required offsets and infrastructure constraints. Tree limbs and root systems must also stay within certain limits, which may affect the final placement of plantings. Akkari emphasized that the Street Ends program works to balance multiple needs—including public access, shoreline habitat, neighborhood safety, and preserving views of the water. The pathway through the space will likely be gravel in the long term, though mulch may be used initially to define the path. The first phase of work will take place soon. Life Scouts will host a work party the first weekend in April to remove sod, add mulch, and spruce up the benches. Native plantings will be installed in the fall, when cooler temperatures and seasonal rains will help the plants establish. Next summer, Leschi volunteers will also be needed to help water the young plants during their first growing season. Please note that the concept plan shared at the meeting is still a draft, and plant locations may shift as SDOT Urban Forestry reviews the site and final infrastructure offsets are confirmed. ~Nikola Davidson

At first glance, the scene can be surprising: people in swimsuits emerging from a steaming cedar sauna and heading toward the cold waters of Lake Washington. Heat up. Cool down. Repeat. That’s the simple rhythm behind Bywater Sauna’s newest location at Leschi Marina, and for many participants, the appeal becomes obvious after the first session. Barrel Sauna exterior. “I feel more connected to nature, more part of the Seattle ecosystem,” says Natalie G. “It’s magical to be swimming with rain falling on me.” “It helps me battle the darkness and isolation of winter,” adds Erik D. View of the cold plunge dock and Mt. Rainier from sauna For John B., the setting is part of the magic. “I love floating with merganser ducks swimming by at eye level, Mt. Rainier in the distance, and good-natured fishermen on the nearby dock gently teasing me, as they wonder what the heck I’m thinking.” Many people come to sauna and cold-water immersion for the potential health benefits. Research suggests the practice may help reduce inflammation and anxiety while supporting cardiovascular health, immunity, and muscle recovery. Regular participants often report improved mood, mental clarity, and better sleep. At a minimum, the experience offers an hour away from phones and other distractions. But for Bywater founder Nate Garberich, wellness was only part of the inspiration. Garberich, a Seattle native, started Bywater with the goal of creating a place where the warmth of human interaction is just as important as the physical benefits.  That idea comes to life in a casual, outdoor gathering space. “Long, dark winters and gray weather can be lonely,” says Nate. “By contrast, sauna sessions bring people together.”  Hand-painted signs, lounge chairs, plants and flowers surround the saunas, which sit beneath strings of cheery bistro lights. The space feels closer to a friendly community hangout than a spa, and for many, the setting makes connecting with others easy. “I’ve had meaningful conversations with strangers from all walks of life,” says Blake L. “Bywater is a place where barriers dissolve and genuine human connections form.” For others, Bywater’s new location is the perfect incentive to explore the gems of the Leschi neighborhood. For Nathalie M., “It’s so much more than a wellness routine. It’s community, therapy, and mindful presence—all in one. I live in Fremont and have taken the bus, driven, and biked to Leschi because the neighborhood adds to the whole experience. French Onion Soup at Blu Water Bistro, treats at Leschi Market, meetings at the Starbucks next door—it’s all part of it. I love every Bywater location, but Leschi holds a special place in my heart.” How It Works A typical session begins with guests arriving in swimsuits, checking in with Bywater’s team, and storing their belongings.  Inside the sauna—where temperatures hover around 190°F—participants sit on towels and warm up, while steam rises from water poured over hot stones. The new shed sauna interior The next step is cooling down. Steamy bodies exit the sauna and head towards the water, impervious to chilly winds or rain that might otherwise dampen outdoor enthusiasm. Some participants jump off the dock or climb down a ladder into Lake Washington, where winter water temperatures hover between 45 and 48 degrees. Others grab a bucket of fresh water to dump over their heads, and a few simply sit outside in the chilly air. Any option works if it cools down the body. Most people spend around 15 minutes heating up in the sauna before stepping out. The cold phase can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on personal tolerance. Participants repeat the cycle several times during a session.  Over time, many find their tolerance for the extremes gradually increases. Still, the practice isn’t about pushing limits. The goal, regulars say, is to let the body respond to the contrast between heat and cold and let these natural stressors support and strengthen health and well-being. Details Sessions at Bywater run 60 minutes on weekdays and 75 minutes on weekends, with time slots offered throughout the day across their four locations in Seattle. Individual sessions cost $35 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. A monthly membership for $100 offers unlimited sessions (up to one per day) and a free guest pass. In May, Bywater will wrap up its Leschi operations for the season to make way for the summer boaters. For now, though, the dock remains a gathering place where neighbors meet, warm up, cool down, and embrace the Seattle winter. More information and reservations are available at bywatersauna.com . ~Kate Winton

At the start of 2026, the Leschi Community Council formed a Traffic Safety Committee. Its purpose is to push projects forward that will make Leschi a safer and more pleasant place to walk, run, bike, drive, visit and, of course, live. The committee is open to any Leschi neighbor who is interested and is led by Jim Davidson. With funding for traffic calming on Lakeside Ave earmarked in the recently approved transportation levy, we have a specific opportunity to slow down traffic through the business district and make it safer for pedestrians to move about. This was naturally the main topic for the first committee meeting in February. 13 residents met at BluWater Bistro to discuss specific concerns and ideas. Besides pedestrian crossing issues, we also discussed speeding on 31st Avenue between the school and Jackson Street, as well as whether the city could share data and results on whether traffic calming further south on Lake Washington has worked. The concerns were forwarded to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) in preparation of a walkthrough on Lakeside. On March 3rd during the afternoon rush hour, several residents met with three representatives of SDOT to witness commuter traffic through the neighborhood, as well as congestion and confusion with people backing out of parking spaces into oncoming traffic. The city representatives took copious notes and listened to and discussed possible options from lane narrowing to speed cushions to flashing lights at crosswalks. They also registered the misaligned curb cuts and visibility issues at crosswalks. Traffic safety will be the topic of our upcoming community meeting on Wednesday, April 1st. SDOT representatives will review their assessment of traffic issues on Lakeside, share data on speeding collected last November, and discuss potential options for traffic calming and tie-ins with other projects, such as the shoreline and marina improvements. While it’s unlikely that the full-scale project will be implemented in 2026, there may be an opportunity to make some improvements this year. Representatives of the Leschi Community Council recently submitted a request to allocate a portion of the $1M discretionary district fund with Council member Hollingsworth’s staff to make the crosswalk between Leschi Market and Blu Water more visible. Additionally, the Leschi Elementary PTA is working with SDOT on traffic management during pickup times around the school. They previously worked to make the crossing between Yesler and 31st Ave a 4-way stop, which was a great accomplishment. And shoutout to a neighbor who took it upon themselves to buy and install a crossing flag kit at Alder and Lakeside. With the Leschi Traffic Safety initiative we aim to document traffic concerns across Leschi and regularly engage with SDOT and City Council to address those concerns. If you have any hot spots you would like to see addressed, please contact us at leschicouncil@gmail.com  or fill out this form online. We will set a time for our next committee meeting after our April 1st community meeting with SDOT. ~Jim Davidson and Matthias Linnenkamp

The Leschi Elementary School community is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Mrs. Henrietta Swan-Price, known to many of us simply as Mrs. Price, and to many others as Precious. Her obituary from the Seattle Medium  is reprinted below. Henrietta Swan-Price, a beloved community figure known for her flair, faith, and dedication to service, died recently in Seattle at the age of 87. She was born June 11, 1938, in Houston to the late Henry Coy Swan and Hilda Darby-Swan. Henrietta was the eldest of nine children. From her parents’ union came seven children: Henreitta*, George*, Louis, Gloria*, Bobbie* and Barbara* (twins), and Wayne*. From her father’s second marriage came Choyce Mae Swan and Lacey Swan*. (* deceased). Henrietta completed her education in Houston and continued her studies in Seattle at Seattle Community College, where she earned her certification as a licensed practical nurse in the state of Washington. In 1967, she relocated to Seattle with five of her six daughters to begin work with Boeing Aerospace. Her daughters are Shelia Spenser (William) of Puyallup, Washington; Katherine (Kathy) Simmons of Seattle; Vallerie Fisher-Robinson of Seattle; Anita Williams (Jimmy William Sr.) of Seattle; Theresa Butler (Earious Butler*) of Seattle; and Rita Jousha* of Houston, Texas. Henrietta later met and married the late Freddie C. Price*. She became a devoted member of Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Norman Mitchell*. She was affectionately known as “The Hat Lady,” the proud owner of Henrietta’s Hats and Accessories Boutique on Madison Avenue in Seattle, where she also resided for more than 25 years. Her boutique’s motto was: “If the hat that you’re wearing isn’t becoming to you, then you should be coming to Henrietta’s.” Henrietta’s influence extended well beyond her storefront. She appeared in the live production Crowns: Church Women Hats  at the Intiman Theatre and later on the road in Philadelphia. She was a featured presenter for the Black History Hat Tribute at Macy’s, the League of Women Voters Annual Benefit Breakfast, KING 5’s tribute to Queens’ Hats (Fascinators), and The Women’s Club of Seattle Annual Benefit Fundraiser. She facilitated countless church fashion shows and bazaars throughout the city. She was an active member of the Mothers Board and Nurse Ministry at Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church and served two terms as president of the Nurse Corps for the National Baptist Convention of America. Henrietta served as a school crossing guard at Leschi Elementary for more than 20 years. Her work was honored with the Washington Education Association’s Elaine E. Community Award, nominated by Leschi staff and parents. She was also recognized with the African American Community Task Force Award for community involvement. Her leadership included service on the Bailey-Boushay House Board of Directors, Model Cities of Inner-City Seattle, and active participation as a PTSA parent. A dedicated member of civic and fraternal organizations, she served as Past Worthy Matron of Queen of Sheba Chapter #12, Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; Grand Chaplain and Grand Life Member; and a member of the Imperial Court Daughters Auxiliary of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. Henrietta is survived by five daughters, 26 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She was lovingly known to many as “Precious.” She will be deeply missed and remembered for her grace, generosity, and spirited legacy. Obituary reprinted courtesy of Seattle Medium.

On Wednesday, March 4, Leschi residents gathered to hear updates and discuss current and future projects along the neighborhood’s shoreline. Leschi’s access to Lake Washington is one of the features that makes the neighborhood so special, and the evening offered neighbors a chance to learn about restoration efforts, upcoming improvements, and ongoing stewardship of these shared spaces. Nikola Davidson opened the discussion with an update on a series of habitat plantings along the shoreline just south of the Madrona Beach parking lot. The work responds to requests from Leschi neighbors for increased habitat restoration along the lake. Over the past few seasons, Seattle Parks has planted native species including gumweed, checker mallow, spirea, and shore pine, with additional plants added this winter. Progress has been slowed by extensive bindweed and encounters with yellow jackets, but Parks crews continue to add mulch and improve the soil to help the new plantings thrive. Davidson also pointed out large patches of blackberry south of the planting area and along the North Leschi Moorage, noting hopes for a future community work party to help remove them. Rachel Banner, Parks Planner, then provided an update on the South Leschi Moorage project. Restoration work along the Leschi Park shoreline is now complete, and underwater debris removal has been finished with one exception: a large piece of the old pier that cannot be removed until December 2026 due to excavation challenges and environmental timing restrictions. The project will also include improvements to pedestrian access and safety. Plans call for a new traffic island with curb cutouts to meet ADA requirements. While attendees asked whether the changes would reduce parking, the expectation is that parking will remain the same, though final decisions will be made when SDOT issues the permit. The existing pier, which is constructed with creosote-treated wood, is both deteriorating and harmful to aquatic life. It will be replaced with a new ADA-accessible pier, including ramps down to the water with a landing in between, safety ladders, and temporary cleats so boats can tie up during the day. The marina parking lot will also receive clearer signage to help enforce restricted parking spaces. Due to environmental protections for fish habitat, major construction can only occur during specific windows. Installation of the new gangway, pier, and breakwater pedestrian walkway is expected to begin in January 2027, with completion anticipated in spring or early summer of that year. The replacement pier will be approximately 16½ feet wide, with a 12-foot-wide walkway above the breakwater. One concern raised by attendees was the reduction of the gangway width from 10 feet to 6 feet due to budget constraints. Banner also shared a brief update on the North Leschi Moorage, a privately operated marina on leased Parks property. The marina operator is currently working through the permitting process and will be responsible for funding and completing the planned upgrades. Omar Akkari, Shoreline Street Ends Program Coordinator, then provided an overview of Seattle’s Street Ends program, which manages 142 shoreline street ends across the city—35 of them on Lake Washington. The Street Ends program itself receives no City Council funding and is supported through fees paid by individuals and businesses that encroach on street end properties. Akkari walked through each of Leschi’s street ends and shared updates on their current status and potential future improvements. Of particular note is the Dearborn Street End, which is expected to receive a major overhaul (see the Dearborn article in this issue). Nearby condominium residents have expressed concerns about potential parking changes, but Akkari noted that pedestrian access to the water is currently limited and the existing parking lot does not meet current standards. The lot will likely be re-striped in the future, with the program prioritizing shoreline access and public views of the water over parking. He also shared that the habitat restoration project completed in 2001 at the King Street End will need to be replanted after damage to trees and mature plantings. At the Jackson Street End, a failing wood bulkhead installed by a neighboring condominium will need to be replaced by the property owner. Finally, Julian Scott, Parks District Crew Lead, spoke about ongoing maintenance challenges in grassy lawns such as Leschi Park. Birds and raccoons digging for beetle grubs have caused damage to these areas. Seattle Parks is experimenting with different seed mixes and maintenance strategies to discourage the beetles and help the grass recover. The Leschi Community Council remains in close contact with both Seattle Parks and SDOT as these shoreline projects move forward. Have additional questions about any of the shoreline projects? Reach out to leschivp@gmail.com . ~Nikola Davidson

Despite pouring rain, about 15 dedicated volunteers showed up on Saturday, February 7 for a remarkably productive work party—proof once again that Leschi stewardship doesn’t stop for the weather. Volunteers removed invasive bindweed roots and buttercup in the first overlook area, cleared weeds and dead shrubs near the second overlook, and spread generous amounts of mulch both in newly cleared areas and in places where invasives had been removed previously. The mulch will help suppress weeds and retain moisture as native plants establish. To improve access and safety, volunteers shoveled a serious amount of leaf paste and slurry from the roadway near the sidewalk, removed slippery leaves from the stairs and main lower trail, and cleared a significant stretch of ivy along the trail leading to the lower area. The group also pruned vegetation to let in more light and continue opening up sightlines, then capped off the day by planting three new trees and additional native plants—a big win for long-term habitat and neighborhood enjoyment. Want to join a future work party? Be sure to check the Events page at leschicommunitycouncil.org  for upcoming stewardship opportunities. Rain gear encouraged and good company guaranteed! ~Nikola Davidson

Esther Ervin was born in a small town in New Jersey, but moved to California at the age of 16. Her house was near the Irvine Ranch where she actually saw cowboys herding cattle. Now the Ranch has been developed into housing. She went to Palestine and Israel as an undergraduate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and went into the Peace Corps for three years from 1977 to 1980. She was assigned to Columbia where she worked with boys living on the street. She gave them language training and education in both art and science. From there she went on to work at a Catholic school and then moved to Bogota. Finally, she handled the economics for the families of a community that grew coffee, canned food, and created mats from fique (a type of grass). In 1980, she returned to California and went to Graduate School at California State University, Long Beach where she studied art and science medical illustration. In 1994, she came to Seattle where she pursued another career in insurance and securities. She attended the Festival Sundiata where she saw an art show and began meeting artists in the late 1990s. She first met Al Doggett in 1997. Meanwhile, she began making jewelry. She went to a Native American workshop where they used gourds to make art and was inspired to make her own gourd art. Her father was raised on a Cree reservation. A major turning point in her career was receiving a residency at the Pratt Fine Arts Center where she learned jewelry making, metalsmithing, and welding. Another important honor was a residency at the Dr. James W. Washington, Jr. & Janie Rogella Washington Foundation where she made sculpture from materials found in the house. Ervin was also Acting Director of the Washington House 2013-2018. Salmon in courtyard of Liberty Bank Building, 2016 Skylights depicting red lining 2016 (visible on Union Street) In 2016, she collaborated with Doggett on the extensive Liberty Bank Building artist project. On Union Street near 24th Avenue, Ervin created drum shaped seats with a tiled basketweave pattern and above them transparent window designs of the redlined area of the Central District. In the central courtyard of the building are several bronze salmon struggling to go upstream. There is a sporadic flow of water that does not support them, a metaphor for the struggles of African Americans to succeed. Sculpture in Wayfarer complex 23rd and Yesler. "The works speak to the deforestation of the CD." Photo by Greg Bell. (Glass and semi precious beads, potatopearls, bronze chain, steel support structure, laser etched wood trees) Ervin has created other public art works in the neighborhood, most visibly at Jackson and 23rd Street, where an abstract design based on cowrie shells is displayed. At Boren and Yesler, in the Wayfarer complex, she has another piece. As Ervin explains, “the Wayfarer building works are large jewelry art pieces with one having a cedar tree and the other having a Douglass fir tree. The works speak to the deforestation of the CD. They are made of glass and semi-precious beads, potato pearls, bronze chain, steel support structure, laser etched wood trees.” As Ervin creates more public art, she also works as a curator with Black Arts West Alumnae Association and the Garfield Super Block. Additionally, she continues to create exquisite art in many media, ceramics, jewelry, metal, and sculpture. Her work is imbued with a sense of history. One of her missions is to celebrate the work of lesser known Black artists and history. ~Susan Platt