Leschi
The Leschi Community Council (LCC) meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3, will feature architect Jeff Floor, who will describe the changes that are coming to the Central Area and along Yesler Way, as vacant lots are rapidly being developed.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will review the planned changes to the 23rd Avenue corridor, and Melanie Mayock will explain Proposition I, the ballot measure for funding Metro Transit within Seattle.
The Sept. 3 meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave. S.).
SDOT will also present “Stay Active, Walk Safe” at the Central Area Senior Center on Sept 24, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Join us to learn about tips to keep you moving safely around Seattle, and get a free safety reflector! Snacks will be provided.
The LCC will hold its annual book sale on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 to 3 p.m., in the Grocery Outlet parking lot at East Union Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. All proceeds benefit the Seattle Music Partnership, an after-school instrumental music program in local elementary schools. Support a worthy cause while you stock up on good reads during the gray-sky weather.
The senior center’s well-known jazz venue, the Green Dolphin Lounge, will feature Funk E Fusion Band on Sept. 19. Senior center member Carl Copeland, is in the band, which features three female vocalists, horns and a variety of different musical styles.
Appetizers are included in the $20 admission price (with options for vegetarians). Doors will open at 6 p.m.
The good cooks at the senior center are compiling a cookbook with tasty Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes, and they would love your contribution of a special favorite.
Note the source of your recipe (the cookbook, newspaper or even Aunt Betty), and send your contributions by email to je_ervin@mac.com or drop it off at the senior center (500 30th Ave S.) The deadline is Oct. 1.
— Diane Snell, co-president
Madison Park
The Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) is back in action after taking the month of July off to enjoy the hot weather, and we’re pleased to report that, yet again, the Madison Park beach has barely had enough room to put down even one more towel for the last two months.
Thanks go out to the Madison Park Business Association for once again providing us with musical entertainment in the upper park every Thursday evening in August. Music in the Park is becoming more and more frequent.
On Aug. 18, for example, we were entertained at Starbucks by the Seattle Police Pipes & Drums before its departure on Sept. 17 for two weeks, touring and definitely awakening the Irish natives with bagpipe music in Dublin, Belfast and Galway.
Speaking of police, we thank Seattle Police Department crime-prevention coordinator Terrie Johnston for coming down to the Park on Aug. 13 to discuss crime in the neighborhood and measures we can take to minimize car prowls and graffiti, the two most prevalent crimes to regularly hit our community.
Along with Terrie, we heard from Stephen Barger, president of Professional Protection, about private security measures some of the residents in Denny-Blaine and Washington Park have subscribed to, which consists primarily of a roving security officer in that section of the Park.
We also heard from Kim Proctor, with Protective Systems Inc., a company that provides monitored home-security systems.
Thanks to the Park Shore Retirement Community for providing meeting space, and especially to Bob Steedman, for his efforts in arranging the evening.
On Aug. 6, we welcomed the opening of another branch bank to the Park in the form of HomeStreet Bank. HomeStreet is a Seattle-based bank, so that’s a little different. The reconstruction of the old Tully’s space has taken about a year and effectively resulted in a new building on that site.
Come see the results and meet Ila Wagner, the new branch manager, on Sept. 24 at HomeStreet’s official grand opening.
The residents of 37th Avenue East, with the support of the MPCC and especially by board member Bob Edmiston, are thankful that the traffic-calming devices — in the form of the new sidewalk bulb at Madison Street and three speed bumps along the length of 37th Avenue, north of Madison, up to McGilvra school — are finally physically in place as part of the Safe Routes to Schools Program. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
We are still working on trying to improve the safety of the Madison/McGilvra Boulevard intersection and, so far, have managed to obtain a grant award of $90,000 to hire professional help with the intricacies of engineering planning at that location. Special thanks go to Alice Lanczos for her work on this.
One of the Park’s most eagerly awaited annual events is the Madison Park Artwalk, lasting for two weeks in September. The opening night is Sept. 12 — partly sponsored by the community council and headed up by the MPBA — where about 40 artists display their latest work for sale in the Park’s businesses, and the businesses, in turn, entertain our residents with free wine and hors d’oeuvres. It’s always a great evening.
On Sept. 17, come and listen to University of Washington professor Naomi Sokoloff speak on literature about Seattle. Again, we thank Park Shore for providing the venue.
Further out, please put Dec. 20 on your calendars, when the Argosy Christmas Ships will arrive at Madison Park Beach at 4:40 p.m., and the MPCC will provide coffee, hot chocolate, coffee and cookies, and Seattle Parks and Recreation, its usual bonfire.
We often have as many as 900 people turn out for that event, despite the usual Seattle weather at that time of year.
As usual, do not hesitate to contact the MPCC with concerns (and kudos) about conditions and happenings in the Park. We will have a new e-mail address in the very near future; in the interim, direct your comments to mozcooper@hotmail.com.
— Maurice Cooper, president
Madison Valley
The Madison Valley Community Council (MVCC, www.madisonvalley.org) will host a Sip-and-Dine cocktail event on Sept. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Aegis Living on Madison’s Sky Lounge (2200 E. Madison St.).
The idea is simple: occasional drinks and dinners in the neighborhood for those who live and work in the Valley. The purpose is to get to know the neighbors, form friendships and help support the neighborhood.
At this event, we’ll sip cocktails and wine at this premier party space while enjoying chef-prepared small plates and sliders hot off the grill. Chef Justin Sledge was the sous chef for Cafe Juanita for years; he will prepare appetizers for the evening
The cost is $22 per person, and it includes one beverage and an assortment of small plate appetizers and grilled sliders. A cash bar will be available for additional libations.
Tickets and reservations may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/830868. For more information, contactCathy Nunneley at cjnunneley@yahoo.com.
The MVCC will spend the proceeds on community events, beautification and safety efforts.
— Cathy Nunnelly, secretary