Leschi
The Leschi Community Council’s Leschi Art Walk takes place on June 14 from 11 a.m. to 4. p.m. Enjoy a look at the work of our area’s artists: watercolors, jewelry design, leather bags, glass art and the vivid colors of Art Messer’s post-impressionist/Fauvist paintings. There are still a few booths left if you act fast; contact AnnConroy@TravelSmallWorld.com.
Listen to a talented jazz trio on the stage at Leschi Park. Do you have a talent to share? We have a stage from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and except for the jazz trio, this stage is crying for talent. Contact leschinews@comcast.net if you would like to perform at this venue.
— Diane Snell, co-president
Madison Park
Mayor Ed Murray was our guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Madison Park Community Council on May 27. It was not only a chance to meet the mayor, but it was a time to learn where the mayor places his priorities. We all give our thanks to him for giving us his time and sharing his thoughts with us.
Revised bylaws were adopted at the annual meeting. They can be found on our website: www.madisonparkseattle.com.
Our Tree Walk, which was so popular in spring, will return. Steve Lorber will again lead the parade, on June 21 at 10 a.m. We will meet at the entrance to Park Shore Retirement Community (1630 43rd Ave. E.).
We are delighted to announce that the following neighbors will join our board for a three-year term: John Madrid, Megan Walton, Tucker Orr, Sky Sander, Guy Falckow, Bob Minnott and Susanna Crowley.
Continuing as board members are Bob Edmiston, Carol Loe, Doug Berry, Betty Bottler, Bill Franklin, Christopher Lewis, Shane Skinner, Albert Olson, Bob Steedman, Andy Piro and Solveig Thomson.
We give thanks to all board members for their service. A special thanks goes to past president Gail Irving and board member Alice Lanczos, who will both complete their sixth year of service and retire from the board.
The board will set new goals for the coming fiscal year and continue the council’s ongoing projects. The board welcomes your suggestions. Until a new contact is established, share your thoughts with us at MPCC.Pres.Gene@gmail.com.
A special thanks to Regena Weber, the director of resident services at Park Shore and the rest of the Park Shore staff for their generosity in making the Park Shore facility available for council events and for helping to make our Extraordinary Neighbors program such a success. The Extraordinary Neighbor Program will resume on Sept. 16, with University of Washington professor Naomi Sokoloff, who will speak on “Literature About Seattle.”
It has been a wonder-filled opportunity to serve our community as board president. Our new officers and board will have my continuing support in the coming years. Thank you all for giving me the chance to serve.
— Gene Brandzel,
outgoing president
Madison Valley
Max and Marty Liebowitz from Madrona Co. presented plans to the Madison Valley Community Council for a new building that will be at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and East Union Street, across from Grocery Outlet. It will have small and medium-sized retail spaces on the ground floor and three floors of studio to two-bedroom rental apartments above. The upstairs will have a courtyard and roof gardens for tenants.
The first floor is set back on Union Street far enough for a landscaped parking strip and even outdoor tables to enhance the business establishments. The MLK side is set back enough for parking strips.
The building is going through the design review process, and they hope to break ground early next year.
Tickets are on sale for the July 12 Bastille Bash (BastilleBash.com). The community council will sell water for its major yearly fundraising effort.
Volunteers are needed for a two-hour commitment for set-up, sales and cleanup. Daniel Schmitt is coordinating the effort, though a co-coordinator is needed; contact him at dschmitt1843@gmail.com.
The officers want to ask the community a question: What do you want to see in a community council? What do you want the community council to focus on? How often do you think the community should meet, and what should be the content of those meetings? The September meeting will be a brainstorming session and community discussion to set the direction for a revitalized community council that can best enhance the neighborhood.
— Kathryn Keller
Madrona
Joanne Donahue explained the Central District TimeBank, a sharing service (i.e, pet sitting, taking care of elderly, teaching cooking) that allows people to store up credits to get other services (similar in nature) in return.
Soni Davè-Schock spoke on behalf of BOOM (Business Owners of Madrona), explaining that she and others applied for and were selected by Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to explore establishing a Madrona parklet in front of Hi Spot (1410 34th Ave.). Brian dePlace from SDOT also spoke to explain the Seattle pilot program for parklets.
The Madrona yard/garage sale is scheduled for June 28.
There is growing interest on behalf of the Leschi Market and attendees for a bigger space to host the fall wine tasting benefit. We decided to explore options for other venues.
No one had a definitive answer on whether there will be a movie night in the park this summer. Someone noted that BOOM paid for it last year, and the group lost money.
In other business, there is a three-step SDOT process regarding tree removal. A letter has been sent to SDOT requesting a moratorium on additional tree removal, noting that Seattle City Light should be a part of the conversation because they do interact with the trees.
There is no meeting until fall.
— Excerpted from Madrona News newsletter