September / October 2004
Content:
Public Events
Eastlake supports victim, mobilizes against crime
Street Car Line And L.I.D. on Eastlake Avenue?
Shake me up!
Candidate And Ballot Measures Forum Oct. 12
Volunteers needed for Community-Buidling
Eastlake Ho-Down
Don't forget to vote!
Most Popular Place in Town
Staying Afloat
Replace the trees!
Membership Information
Advertisers
PUBLIC EVENTS
Sat., Sept. 25 --- Fairview Park work party, 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. (between Eastlake Ave. and Fairview Ave. at Shelby St.)
Info: 325-5463, krissy@blueskies.ms
Mon., Oct. 11 --- Fairview Green Street (Newton to Roanoke streets)—committee meets 6 p.m. at 2510 Fairview Ave. E. (enter from back upper level)
Tues., Oct. 12 --- Candidate and ballot measure forum and ECC annual meeting and board and officer elections, 7-9 p.m. at TOPS-Seward School, 2500 Franklin Ave. E.
Sat., Oct. 16 --- Good Turn Park work party, 3149 Fairview Ave. E., 1-3 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 23 --- Fairview Park work party, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (between Eastlake Ave. and Fairview Ave. at Shelby St.)
Tues., Nov. 2 --- Election Day [to vote, you must register by Oct. 4]
Mon., Nov. 8 --- Fairview Green Street (Newton to Roanoke streets)—committee meets 6 p.m. at 2510 Fairview Ave. E. (enter from back upper level)
Sat., Nov. 20 --- Good Turn Park work party 3149 Fairview Ave. E., 1-3 p.m.
EASTLAKE SUPPORTS VICTIM, MOBILIZES AGAINST CRIME
By Colleen McGrath
Early on August 17 one of your neighbors was subjected to violent personal
assault and robbery in her Eastlake dwelling. A Level 3 convicted serial
rapist has been arrested and charged with this crime as well as assaults
on three women in the University District. If convicted, he likely will
spend the rest of his life in jail. Our dear friend and neighbor has incurred
many expenses for emergency response, health care, loss of income from
time away from work, temporary relocation and storage of possessions,
stolen car, and other interim costs (not to mention those absorbed by
her family—some coming from as far as Florida to support her).
In the wake of this horrific crime, ECC held a well-attended public meeting
Sept. 1 (organized by board member Becki Chandler, and thanks to Lake
Union Café for hosting the meeting). At the meeting, a close friend
of the victim reported that she is doing as well as can be expected—and
still loves Eastlake. Crime’s impact goes beyond the individual victim.
Many had been traumatized, and were reassured by her message and by guest
speaker Michelle McDaniel from the Crisis Clinic.
The community’s heart goes out to the victim. She is encouraged by
the positive response of the neighborhood to her. To assist in defraying
some of her many expenses, a collection site has been established at Lake
Union Mail, 117 E. Louisa St., Seattle 98102. Donation checks may be made
out to “Lake Union Mail—Victim Support Fund.” There is
also a journal in which you may express your support and encouragement
to her. For questions about the fund, contact Lake Union Mail at 329-1468
or lakeunionmail@juno.com.
Also at the public meeting, officer Tyrone Davis and community prevention
specialist Neal Hansen reported that, while Eastlake has one of the city’s
lower rates of violent crime, we have more than our share of car prowls
and burglaries. The police urge care in locking windows and doors. They
also ask everyone to phone 911 immediately if they see any suspicious
situation or a possible crime in progress.
The more 911 calls, the more police patrols we will get when we need them.
A few weeks ago, customers who were in my office saw a man enter the apartment
building next to me through an unlocked, open window. When he came back
out, I asked him to show me his ID as I did not recognize him. When he
refused, I called 911 and the police responded immediately.
The Police Department also urges neighbors to get to know each other and
their schedules, in order to have a good idea of who might be an interloper,
and to check with one another about suspicious situations. If you haven’t
already done so, please knock on doors and find some neighbors to exchange
phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Apartment managers and condominium
associations need to be proactive in educating and organizing their residents.
Businesses and residents can help keep an eye on one another’s property
in places where they border on each other.
For information on ECC’s upcoming public meeting about block watches and crime prevention, watch for posters, check ECC’s web site at www.eastlake.oo.net, or call Becki Chandler at (206) 323.7424. On starting a block watch, contact ECC board members Craig MacGowan (726-7964, cmacgowan@comcast.net) or Colleen McGrath (860-9444, colleen@colleenjanemcgrath.com); and the Police Department’s Neal Hansen at 684-4751 or neal.hansen@seattle.gov.
As an example of getting together for mutual aid, consider the Floating
Homes Association’s “Dock Watch,” which has helped reduce
houseboat break-ins. Houseboat residents share an e-mail crime status
report at least monthly. (For more on how it is done: tiffmcnamara1@netscape.net).
The June 22 Dock Watch e-mail warned:
Patrick W. Martin is back at it again. He robbed us throughout
last summer until he was caught, arrested and convicted to 6 1/2 years
of prison. So how could he be out? The Police Department and
our houseboat community did their parts flawlessly. The weakest
link is the judicial system. Instead of jail Martin was sent
to Madison Inn which is a work release house. Shortly after arriving
he escaped. This young man has been positively identified via fingerprints
in several crimes. He is a Caucasian male, early twenties with brown
hair, clean cut and well spoken. Not the sort of person you
might be suspicious of. If you see anyone of this description please
call the SPD immediately. Until he is caught again we can expect
rampant burglaries.
Then the August 29 Dock Watch e-mail reported the following: Patrick
W. Martin has been positively identified via fingerprints as the person
who broke into a Fairview Avenue East houseboat August 18th - 19th, sometime
between 10:30PM and 5:30AM. “The thief stood on our deck chair
water-side and climbed through the window into our living room.
Unfortunately, the window was left open a crack when we went to bed last
evening. He unscrewed the brace to the window (with a screwdriver
- new MO) and climbed in. He stole my purse, cell phone, a backpack
and a briefcase which were in the middle of our kitchen floor. He took
$7.00 in bills and spare change from my billfold. My cell phone was charging
near my purse and he stole the whole thing - phone and charger.
Another MO that we noticed this morning (8/20) was that the thief had
defecated on our watering hose on the deck. I understand that
happened with our neighbors when they were burgled last summer.”
Editorial Note: The police said we should pay attention to any noise
that we hear - especially in the middle of the night. Martin’s
pattern is to hit between 2:00-4:00 AM. Please take the proper precautions
by locking windows and doors well, put stuff out of sight, call on everything
that is suspicious and ask a trusted neighbor to watch over your home
if you will be out of town. It is a new technique for Martin
to use a screwdriver to gain access to our houseboats.
The most obvious crime committed almost daily in the Eastlake area is
graffiti. These “tag” artists love vacant buildings as evidenced
by the ongoing problem in the old Bar Mart/Seattle Restaurant Supply in
the 2800 block of Eastlake.
If you see “taggers” in the act, call 911. Any graffiti that
has not yet been painted out should be immediately reported to the graffiti
hotline (please clip this list of crime fighting phone numbers and keep
it near your phone).
Eastlake is a great community and we can make sure it is the safest possible
by being good neighbors. Please get involved.
Crime fighting phone numbers:
911 crime in progress, or any health or other emergency
206-684-4071 Harbor Patrol—crimes on or near water
206-684-7587 graffiti hot line
206-684-0330 domestic violence
206-684-5797 narcotics investigations
206-684-5740 burglary and theft investigations
206-684-8763 abandoned and illegally parked cars
Street Car Line And L.I.D. on Eastlake Avenue?
The City and Sound Transit are beginning separate studies of a possible surface rail line through our neighborhood, probably on the surface of Eastlake Avenue. City Council bill 114981 on August 16 allocated $160,000 “for additional technical work related to an extension of the potential South Lake Union streetcar line from South Lake Union to the University of Washington/University District.” The ordinance also sets aside $35,000 for a professional appraiser to review the potential for a local improvement district along this route. As is clear from the web site (http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/streetcarreport.htm), the City hasn’t thought carefully about the potential difficulties of an Eastlake route.
ECC also recently learned from Sound Transit of a June 2 letter by Seattle’s Department of Transportation suggesting expansion of the scope for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for updating the Regional Transit Long-Range Transit Vision. In the letter, SDOT asks Sound Transit to study “A light rail/streetcar line (similar to Tacoma Link light rail) that extends from Westlake Station in downtown Seattle to the U-District near Brooklyn Avenue.” As a result of the City’s letter, Sound Transit is doing its own study of a surface rail line through the Eastlake neighborhood. On August 18, the ECC board of directors sent a letter to the City and Sound Transit expressing the following concerns.
Advocates of a street car between downtown Seattle and the University District use this photo of Tacoma’s light rail line, but Pacific Avenue (shown here) is nearly twice as wide as our own Eastlake Avenue.
Local improvement district. The City could impose LID charges unless its action was opposed by property owners representing 60 per cent or more of the potential revenue that would be raised. Property holdings along Eastlake Avenue are not as concentrated in large companies as they are in the South Lake Union area, where many large companies already support an LID. LID charges may prove more onerous along Eastlake Avenue, and more of a threat to small businesses and neighborhood character. In accordance with the neighborhood plan, the zoning along Eastlake Avenue does not allow the mid-rise development now allowed in the South Lake Union area. It is important that the Eastlake LID study assume that existing zoning along Eastlake Avenue will remain in place.
Street car not a substitute for bus service. A street car could cause cutback or elimination of bus lines through Eastlake. A street car would likely be slower than these bus lines, particularly than the 66 express, which heads downtown on Eastlake Avenue. A street car might be as slow or slower than the 70 bus which (like the proposed route for the street car) turns southwest onto Fairview Avenue North. State law prohibits the City from operating a transit agency, but if Metro operated the street car, the County Council’s requirement of a balance in transit hours between Seattle and the rest of King County would further threaten Eastlake’s bus service. Also, street cars are typically at least 50 per cent more expensive to operate, suggesting that current bus frequencies might not be matched, or that fares could increase. Eastlakers are heavy users of the existing bus lines, and deserve favorable transit frequencies, speeds, and fares.
The original Eastlake Avenue street car, in an 1890s photo. Later, the tracks were integrated into the pavement so motor vehicles could share the right of way.
Eastlake Avenue not suited for exclusive rail right of way. The Eastlake Neighborhood Plan (adopted by the City in 1999) is very clear that “Light rail should not be on the surface of, or elevated above, any Eastlake streets.” Sound Transit and the City have several times decided against an Eastlake Avenue surface route for light rail, in part because analysis and public outreach done with the community warned of a serious detriment to the Eastlake business district from the loss of parking.
While street car lines (such as the one on Eastlake Ave. from 1893 to 1941—see historic photo) do not necessarily cause the elimination of on-street parking, most light rail projects around the country have sacrificed on-street parking (see photo above of the one in Tacoma that has been used to promote the South Lake Union street car).
Eastlake Avenue is 50 feet from curb to curb, making it one of the narrower of the City’s major arterials. A dedicated rail right of way would almost certainly cause permanent removal of parking from one or both sides of Eastlake Avenue, and possibly removal of the recently installed center turn lanes and planted medians.
The Neighborhood Plan’s opposition to surface rail refers only to light rail because the terminology of “street car” was not being used in the 1990s. If a proposed street car on Eastlake Avenue were to require its own right-of-way, ECC interprets the Eastlake Neighborhood Plan as being equally opposed to a street car.
In-street street car poses opportunities. But a street car line that shares traffic lanes on Eastlake Avenue could help realize some changes sought in the Neighborhood Plan. It could improve Eastlake Avenue as a business and neighborhood street and make it safer to walk across and along by bringing more medians to the center of Eastlake Avenue, and restoring parking that is currently removed at peak periods.
Safety on Eastlake Avenue has been improved by the center turn lane between the University Bridge and Fairview Avenue North; and two one-block landscaped medians, one north of Allison Street, the other south of Boston Street. A street car would presumably make its stops at center medians, so there is a possibility of more medians. Of course, it would be important to ensure that driveways are not unreasonably blocked.
The parking restriction hurts. Eastlake Avenue’s commuter lanes currently take away all parking in the peak period and peak direction—inconveniencing residents and customers and degrading the pedestrian environment. Before parking restriction, our business district was more vigorous, and it was safer to walk along and across Eastlake Avenue. The Neighborhood Plan regards it as a high priority to “Explore reducing the hours or dropping entirely the current peak period parking prohibition.” ECC suggests that the City carry out its commitment to study this step jointly with the neighborhood. Restoring parking to Eastlake Avenue could make a surface rail line more acceptable to neighborhood residents and businesses.
ECC urges the City and Sound Transit to ensure that parking, median, and lane alternatives for Eastlake Avenue be considered in concert with surface rail profiles that would strengthen, not damage the neighborhood’s business district and make Eastlake Avenue safer to walk across and along. We also want to make sure that the LID study consider negative consequences for our business district and for neighborhood character. Please let us know your views on these issues, to Eastlake Streetcar, c/o ECC, 117 E. Louisa St. #1, Seattle, WA 98102, or to Chris Leman (cleman@oo.net, 322-5463), who wrote this article. And whatever your views, please express them to Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis,
tim.ceis@seattle.gov, P.O. Box 94749, Seattle 98124-4749; City Councilmember Richard Conlin,
richard.conlin@seattle.gov, P.O. 34025, Seattle 98124-4025; and Sound Transit’s Sheila Dezarn,
dezarns@soundtransit.org, Sound Transit, 401 S. Jackson, Seattle 98104.
Shake me Up!
By Judy Smith
If it wasn’t the eleventh hour for the Eastlake Shake this year, it was at least 10:30 p.m. Pronounced dead less than three months earlier, the Shake, Eastlake’s neighborhood street festival, made a virtually miraculous recovery thanks to the quick work of many volunteers and Eastlake businesses.
This was the second year for the Shake, which volunteers plan to make an annual event, but it almost didn’t happen because the organizers of the first year’s event were still burned out and having trouble rallying. However, thanks to the efforts of Eastlake Mail owner Ryan Murphy, who plastered the neighborhood with posters to “Save the Shake,” the Shake was up and ready to roll.
Ryan spearheaded the second annual event by bringing together dozens of volunteers and donating a lot of his own business’s time and resources. In fact it became almost a family event with stepbrother Tim Smith working on logistics, mentored by last year’s logistics volunteer Tracy Mitchell. Monique Lynnes, founder of last year’s Shake, served as conductor of this year’s event steadfastly guiding the newbies who were each playing their part. Kathy Bessler, Erica Smith and Ashley Campbell were going after businesses and sponsors to raise money. Meghan Nash took on organizing the Eastlake Date Auction as a fundraiser for the Shake. And in less than three months an astonishing amount of money was raised—enough to put on the Shake and likely leave it in the black for following year.
The author, Tim Smith & Ryan Murphy
Erica also coordinated set up and events at the Shake. Usch Engelmann launched the Shake’s first website: www.eastlakeshake.com and posted each new development as it occurred. Spencer Looney sought out the music for the Shake pulling together the 10-hour band line up. And all of us helped to get the word out – postering Eastlake and other Seattle neighborhoods.
On August 14, by 12, noon, the Second Annual Eastlake Shake was getting started. White tents lined Franklin Green Street. The sun was high in the sky. The opening singer was jazzing up the crowd. People were milling about checking out the jewelry artisan at one end and Scott Sherman’s booth and vintage cars at the other. In between there was the yoga studio, the hair salon, the palm reader, mini massages at the local Chiropractor, mail services, video rentals and voter registration. For the hungry delectables were beginning to simmer from Delicious Planet, Hiroshi’s, and Porta’s Greek Tavern. Serafina’s offered up a chilled dessert. Hines provided coffee and an outdoor café, and Georgetown brewery set up the beer garden with a view of the Eastlake kickball game on one side and the stage on TOPS School’s step on the other.
Miss King County kicked off the event. (Earlier in the week at the date auction, Miss King County was auctioned off for over $500! The auction itself raised over four grand.) The festival cheered the Pet Parade when it came through hosted by The Dog Zone and organized by Craig MacGowan. This year the parade moved a bit more slowly; it was led by a duck. 
Dogs of every size, shape and color paraded. One lone cat snuck through. There was a mouse, iguana, gold fish and parrot too. All won first prize for something. For instance, the gold fish won “best swimmer.”
Local Seattle musicians played 45-minute sets throughout the day swelling the crowd in the middle of the Franklin green street and stirring impromptu dancing.
The kids knocked themselves out in relays also organized by Craig MacGowan, a kickball game coached by Jules James and jumping in the Castle Bouncer. Adults took over Roger’s Playfield at about 3:00 for the finales of the local kickball leagues. Eight teams made up of local businesses’ employees, friends and customers had been playing all season long. By the time the Eastlake Shake came around it was time for the championship, and it was down to two teams: Porta Greek Taverna and The Eastlake Zoo. Porta won.
The Eastlake Shake was made possible by the support of the Eastlake Community Council and the Eastlake Community Land Trust as well as the Eastlake businesses that participated.
Many thanks to:
Hiroshi’s Restaurant, Delicious Planet, Hines Coffee, Porta Greek Taverna, Starbucks Coffee, Serafina, Body Smith Chiropractic, Palm Reader, Share Credit Union, Taunya Mattson, Artist, Video Quest, Lake Union Café, Scott Sherman Automotive, Margi David Salon, Homes & Loans, Eastlake Market, Pazzos’ Restaurant & Bar, Pomodoro, DBA Provest, Zymogenetics, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Institute, Eastlake Mail, Keep Posted, 14 Carrot Café, Daly’s, Thread, Georgetown Brewing Co., Oxford Screen Printing, Cheryl Dunkel.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who also helped out (partial list, there were so many more, but we don’t have all their names!):
Mike Barbanos, Soren Bertelsen, Linda Furney, Cory Harris, Steven Kosak, Carsten Stinn, Gary Tiffany, Conrad Watne, Scott MacGowan, Eva, Zach Robinson, Patrick Mazza, Ron Endlich.
Thanks to the folks who helped out with audio and lighting:
Michael Robson, Sara Hanel, Chris, David Huber
Special thanks to our musical guests too:
Julia Francis and Friends, Muckner, Creeping Time, Graham Travis and his band, Monostereo, Autonomadic, Most, Stingshark, Six Select, DJ Tim Reha and DJ Mike Gaeir.
If you have any suggestions for bands for next year, email Spencer Looney at svlooney@yahoo.com.
Posters for the Eastlake Shake are available for free at Eastlake Mail. Some tee shirts are also still available and on sale for $15. If you’d like to give your feedback of the Shake, you can do so at feedback@eastlakeshake.com. Also check out our website for info and updates on the 2005 Eastlake Shake at www.eastlakeshake.com. All the businesses I spoke to were interested in participating again at next year’s event. And work for that will begin this winter. It looks like the Shake has made a full recovery.
Candidate And Ballot Measures Forum Oct. 12
On the second Tuesday in October at 7 p.m., the Eastlake Community Council holds its annual meeting, elects its new board and officers, and hosts a forum on the November state and local elections. Again to be held at TOPS-Seward School, 2500 Franklin Ave. E., this forum will feature some races (Supreme Court, Attorney General, legislature) but will focus particularly on state ballot measures such as expanding gambling and repealing the law on charter schools. Bring your questions Oct. 12, or mail them to the ECC at 117 E. Louisa St. #1, Seattle 98102.
And by the way, to vote November 2 or to receive an absentee ballot, you must register by October 4. Forms are available at public libraries and other public buildings, and Lake Union Mail (117 E. Louisa St.). Voters will also be choosing a governor and the President of the United States, so don’t miss out!
Volunteers Needed for Community-Building
As an all-volunteer organization, the ECC can achieve its mission of building community and enhancing the neighborhood only with your help. Here are some volunteer opportunities, or suggest your own:
1. Help plan and produce next summer’s Eastlake Shake, our annual August festival (see article)
2. Organize an Eastlake holiday auction or a tour of Eastlake homes, gardens, businesses, boats, etc.
3. Weed in parks or organize new tree-planting efforts (also see calendar)
4. Help clean up Boylston Street, which suffers from free way debris.
5. Review proposed land use projects and help develop ECC’s recommendations on them
6. Help make Lynn Street between Eastlake Ave. and Boylston Ave. a safer, more beautiful street
7. Distribute the Eastlake News on your block or nearby
8. Serve a one-year term on the ECC board—nominate yourself or a neighbor (nomination letters and biographies needed right away)
9. Help organize crime prevention and disaster prepared ness efforts.
10. With latex and plaster (provided), make a cast of the plaque on the southwest corner of the University Bridge; the 1919 plaque dedicated the bridge’s original name as the Eastlake Avenue Bridge.
To volunteer or donate, write to ECC, 117 E. Louisa Street #1, Seattle 98102, cleman@oo.net.
Eastlake Ho-Down
By Erica Smith
This 4th of July, Seattle residents from near and far gathered, as they do year after year, on patios, decks and rooftops in Eastlake for the annual fireworks display on Lake Union. This year, however, Eastlake had a little more than fireworks to offer its visitors on America’s Independence Day.
The Eastlake Ho-Down, organized by Mike Reilly and his Minor Ave East neighbors, brought real-deal rodeo fun to the Eastlake neighborhood on July 4th. Reilly, known for his legendary parties in Eastlake, hosted an all-day fun fest with activities and entertainment for the whole family. Kids’ activities included pony rides and a petting zoo. Adults and children alike enjoyed the slip ‘n’ slide and hot-tub-turned-swimming pool as well as an outdoor ping-pong table. Political activists registered party-goers to vote and grilled barbequed chicken, hot dogs, burgers and corn-on-the-cob to raise money for John Kerry’s Presidential campaign (see article next page). Musical entertainment was provided by “The Raging Hard-Ons,” who played, to maintain the rodeo theme, country-western music throughout the evening.
The highlight of the Eastlake Ho-Down, however, was not the music or the pony rides or the slip ‘n’ slide. The main attraction of this event was the mechanical bull, delivered and operated by genuine rodeo cowboys from the Pacific Northwest (www.rentbull.com). 
For $10 and a signature, party-goers could get unlimited bull rides and free beer from one of the several chilled kegs. The bull was situated in Reilly’s front yard, as the centerpiece of a make-shift corral decorated with bales of hay and leather saddles. A large, supportive air mattress was positioned beneath the bull to cushion riders’ falls, and all riders did ultimately meet the mat (some more gracefully than others)! Organizers estimated the total Eastlake Ho-Down attendance to be around 300-400 people, including several uniformed spectators from the Seattle Police Department riding through to ensure that party-goers were having fun and under control. Bull riding ended with enough time for participants to disperse for viewing of the fireworks, which as always, served as the grand finale for the day’s events. When Mr. Reilly went to 14 Carrot Café for breakfast the following morning, he was greeted with a round of applause. Only time will tell what Mr. Reilly has in store for his next party…it will be difficult to top the Eastlake Ho-Down!
Don’t Forget to Vote!
By Erica Smith
With the history-making 2000 Presidential election still fresh in our minds and the controversial decisions subsequently made by the Bush administration weighing heavy on our consciences, many Eastlake residents and voters are becoming activists in this election year. Political signs and bumper stickers decorate lawns and cars throughout the neighborhood, city and nation. Last February, the cafeteria at TOPS Seward school was spilling over with people on a Saturday morning, for the Democratic Caucus, many saying this was the first time they had ever participated in the process. Thousands of Seattle residents, several Eastlakers included stood in the rain on a dreary weekday in May to hear John Kerry deliver a speech on energy policy. The previous night, a group called ‘Seattle4Kerry.org’ raised nearly $30,000 at a fundraiser at The Tractor Tavern in Ballard. Inspired by these grass-roots efforts, a few Eastlake neighbors got together on Independence Day to register voters and raise money for Kerry’s campaign to become the 44th President of the United States. Linda Furney, Carsten Stinn, Jeffrey Bailey, Steven Kosak, and Erica Smith (all of Minor Ave E), in collaboration with Mike Reilly and friends, registered voters and barbequed-for-Kerry all day on the 4th of July in the midst of friends, neighbors, and strangers celebrating their independence at the Eastlake Ho-Down (see above). By the time fireworks lit up the sky, these neighbors had registered a bunch of voters and raised almost $300 for John Kerry for President. On Saturday August 14th, volunteers Marjorie Nelson Steinbrueck and Randy Sullivan registered voters at the 2nd Annual Eastlake Shake, registering scores of new voters. It is these efforts and the efforts of many others like “DrivingVotes.org” who are targeting residents in swing states that may make the difference in this, the most important election of our time according to Congressman Jim McDermott.
If you have recently moved or are not yet registered to vote, you can find voter registration forms at a few local establishments (Pete’s Deli, Hines Public Coffee), public libraries, or go to http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx for more information. As al Gore said in his address to his party at the Democratic National Convention in July, “Take it from me—every vote counts.” So, remember to vote! The Washington state primary is Tuesday September 14th and the general election is Tuesday November 2nd.
Mayor Nickels and other notables came to Eastlake on July 7 to celebrate Seattle Barista Day with U.S. national barista champion Bronwen Serna (who was also honored by a profile in the Seattle P-I) at Hines Public Market Coffee (2243 Eastlake Ave., 329-4214; open M-W 6-6; Th-F 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sun 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) … Utilika Foundation (2815 Eastlake Ave. E., Suite 300, http://utilika.org) has recently opened an office at the WRF Venture Center, where it will be advancing technologies for human-human and human-machine collaboration.
The Very Reverend Robert V. Taylor, Dean of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, officiated at a moving July 24 outdoor service at Lakeview Cemetery to unveil the beautiful gravestone (carved with grapes, of course) for the beloved Peg and Tom Stockley, who we lost in the Alaska Air Crash a few years ago. The couple’s favorite dishes and wines were served in a picnic at the graveside. … Local resident Ellen Henderson (324-2981, ellenmfh@msn.com) is looking for health care professionals for a two week mid-winter mercy trip to Uganda. …
The Tudor Choir (2366 Eastlake Ave., #406, 323-9415, www.tudorchoir.org) is performing music of medieval England on October 16 at St. Marks Cathedral in Seattle and on Oct. 17 at St. Thomas Church in Medina. … The following week (Oct. 23 and 24 at Benaroya Hall, the Seattle Baroque Orchestra (same address, 322-3118, www.seattlebaroque.org) is performing music that would have been heard in 1688 in London, Paris, Vienna, and Rome.
On August 8, a Seattle Times story complemented Eastlake Avenue’s cast glass and stone cornerstones by artist Stacey Levy, pointing out that “the attractive sidewalk insets are also practical: they identify the streets that flank them.” Congratulations to the many volunteers who made this project possible. … On August 28, the Seattle P-I featured efforts to preserve the grand old lumber schooner, the Wawona. To get involved, contact Northwest Seaport at 447-9800. … Thanks to Historic Seattle for mounting its second annual Eastlake Modernism Tour on July 10. The tour brochure comments: “Today Eastlake is a vibrant, active community treasured by its community of residents, and home and business owners.” If you missed the tour, the buildings featured were at 1264 and 1920 Eastlake Ave., 1945 Yale Ave. E., 2000 and 2009 Minor Ave. E., 200 E. Boston, 2717 Franklin Ave. E., 1264 and 1500 and 1555 Lakeview Blvd.
In early August, the Washington State Employees Credit Union announced that it had reversed its decision, and that the Cuppa Joe on the Go espresso and snack stand could renew its lease for the location it has had since 1996 under the trees beside WSECU’s parking lot. The decision is attributable at least in part to petitions and letters from people who live or work in the community. Thanks to WSECU for its support of a neighborhood-serving small business. To celebrate its continuation in the neighborhood, Cuppa Jo (1500 Fairview Avenue East, 860-6136) is offering in the months of September and October a special $2 price for mochas, which normally cost $3 or more.
It is good news that the Seattle Fire Department is planning to rebuild Station 22 (901 E. Roanoke Street). The expanded two-story new station will include not only Engine Company 22, but also the citywide headquarters of the department’s Incident Command Unit including storage for major disaster supplies, emergency medical equipment, and a decontamination room. … The Eastlake Arts Council is organizing to establish a monthly Eastlake art walk. To get involved, contact the Patrick Howe Gallery (3200 Harvard Ave. E., www.PatrickHowe.com). … During investigation of the assault that occurred on Minor Avenue in August, the victim has had to relocate to a different address. Donations toward her costs may be made c/o Lake Union Mail, 117 E. Louisa. … One or more Eastlake book discussion groups are forming. To get involved, contact Barbro Kelsey, 325-1201, barbrokelsey@yahoo.com.
Mention in this column does not imply endorsement by the ECC, writer, or editor. Send your news to Chris Leman (cleman@oo.net) or c/o ECC, 117 E. Louisa St. #1, Seattle 98102
Staying Afloat
By Usch Engelmann
I am one of those people whose first encounter with Seattle and its unique houseboats was, of course, the movie ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, in a small movie theater in Germany. When I moved to Seattle, Eastlake that is, a few years later, every single one of my friends from overseas asked about the houseboats, and I bragged: “Oh yeah, they’re just down the street.” Pretending to be an expert on the topic, even though I never set foot in one. Looking at them from afar I came to the conclusion that if you didn’t live in one on the very end of the dock, surrounded by water rather then a 3 foot wide patio that does not really block your view of neighbors brushing their teeth, preparing dinner, having the occasional argument, it wasn’t for me. Paying a lot of money for a swaying shoebox?
Recently I was fortunate enough to actually visit two “houseboat people”. The first one offered to host the Eastlake Shake meetings at hers, and I got to experience the beautiful view and atmosphere of overlooking Lake Union in its entirety, kayaks, sail boats, party vessels, and float planes going by. And the sunsets - beautiful!
Visiting the second gave me a very different perspective on the houseboat community. I went to see Jeri Callahan, ‘The Houseboat Lady’, a long-time houseboat resident, in order to find out more about the book she is going to publish at the end of September. Jeri welcomed me into her house, and the hour or so we spent together just flew by. She told me how and why she came to live in her houseboat, showed me around, and gave me some insight into houseboat living. Her own house seems to represent the houseboat community. There are antique church windows worked into the front wall, a remodeled bath room, an addition that provides space for her computer, a brightly painted porcelain frame from Mexico with a photo of her grandson on old walls (the house has been around since at least 1928!). It’s a mix of very different styles and items. I loved it!
The same kind of diversity, Jeri says, is what makes the houseboat community so unique. There are old people and young, rich and poor, democrats and republicans, and everything in between. There is a sense of community that makes them help and look out for each other. Jeri thinks there is more to the houseboat community than what is described in several beautiful coffee table books and the Sunday Magazine section of the papers. So, (as a former feature writer), she set off to interview her fellow houseboaters, and gathered these stories into a book. I was lucky enough to got a sneak preview of some of its content, but just looking at the index indicates the humor and insight with which the book is written. You can access Jeri’s website at www.discoverhouseboating.com and read a sample of her work.
Jules James at Lake Union Mail will handle the distribution of Jeri Callahan’s book ‘Staying Afloat’. So make sure to stop by around the end of September to get your copy. To get in touch with Jeri, email info@discoverhouseboating.com.
Replace the trees!
In light of another crime recently commited in Eastlake this one doesn’t seem as important. But it is very sad, that there are people out there destroying our trees. Not by negligence or indifference, no, someone deliberately broke these two trees on Lynne Street. It would be a good gesture, if whoever did this would return one night, this time to replace them.
Eastlake News - a publication by the
Eastlake Community Council
117 E. Louisa Street, #1
Seattle, WA 98102-3278
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Usch Engelmann. Please contact Usch at uengelmann@comcast.net
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