Leschi Don’t miss the opportunity to hear the two authors of “Seattle Geographies” at the next Leschi Community Council meeting.
You know we have mountains and lots of water, but we are relatively small as a city — why are we considered important? And what about social geography? What does that mean? How can our quirky political leanings color our persona as a city?
Our June meeting will feature two professors from the University of Washington who have written a book on the physical, social and political geographies of the Emerald City.
This book, conceived over beers in a local pub, leaves no stone unturned in its analysis of our fair city, and the photographs are wonderful.
Geography is also a study of the people, the culture and the political climate. We know instinctively that Seattle is more than a city on the water with fantastic mountain views to the east and the west; it is also a collection of people with different skills and interests who shape the life of the city.
The authors are Michael Brown and Dick Morrill, along with much help from other staff and graduate students at UW.
Brown’s interest is research on political and cultural geographies. He is managing editor of the publication “Social and Cultural Geography,” and he is also an artist.
On his website, you can see an image of his painting “Leschi Pier,” which we know most commonly as the T-dock. He has another painting of Lakeside Avenue, looking north from just south of the Interstate 90 bridge.
Morrill is a retired UW professor of geography who continues to teach. He has long been interested in transportation and medical geography, as well as political geography, particularly electoral redistricting. One can find a presentation on his website of the “Gentrification of Seattle.”
Learn all about it on Wednesday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S., one block south of South Jackson Street.
— Diane Snell
Madison Park The Madison Park Community Council nominated and voted on five new members for the board of directors at the annual general meeting on May 2: Bruce Brown, Betty Bottler, Roberta Cole, Maurice Cooper and David Saylor Price. Their enthusiasm to serve the neighborhood is welcomed.
The board also thanked Diana Baldwin and Linda Cody for serving the community so well with their time and talents. The countless hours these two women have given in service for the beauty and safety of our neighborhood is greatly appreciated. Although both have just finished two full three-year terms, their willingness to continue to work and serve as volunteers will benefit us all.
Stepping down from the board is Kathleen Stearns. Her hard work and generosity will be missed.
We offer a big thanks to all the above members of the community. Without their efforts, our neighborhood would not shine as the true gem of the city that it is.
Another round of applause needs to be given to our neighbor Don Petit. He answered a call from board member Lindy Wishard to help out with the sign in front of the Madison Park Bathhouse.
Noticing its sad and dilapidated condition, he took the sign off its stand and has refurbished it to its new and shining state.
It now also lists the council’s fresh logo, along with the accurate date and time of our monthly meetings.
Thank you, Don, for your gift of time and talent to making this a better place to live.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the upcoming meetings at the Bathhouse. On Monday, June 6, at 7 p.m., Seattle Public Utilities’ Pat O’Brien and Office of Emergency Preparedness’ Mark Howard will speak to the community on how to prepare for the unexpected catastrophes that are predicted for our area, such as earthquakes.
Being ready must begin first at home and then to our neighborhood. There are a few simple steps we can all take to protect our homes and families. This is the first step to building a community-wide preparedness program.
In July, Seattle City Council president Richard Conlin has asked to speak to the neighborhood about the state Route 520 project that is looming over us. The normal meeting date would be July 4, so we are moving the date to July 11 at 7 p.m.
This will be our chance to hear why the City Council has voted to approve the Alternative Plan.
Please come to voice your opinions and concerns. We look forward to having a full house; be sure to come early for a seat.
