The Mount Baker View NEWS OF THE MOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY CLUB ISSUE 240, SEPTEMBER 2014 2811 Mt. Rainier Drive S. | www.mountbaker.org | 206.722.7209 DAY IN THE PARK CELEBRATES 43 YEARS By Erin Bruce What better way to kick off the Mount Baker Community Club’s in some newer favorites to create a memorable neighborhood Day Centennial Season than with the Day in the Park Festival on Sun- in the Park. day, September 14! Mark your calendars to join us at the Club- house for what will be the 43rd annual Day in the Park. In 1971—just like today—the festivities began with a children’s parade that included a local fire truck; although back in the 70s, You read that right: The Clubhouse has been the epicenter for com- the parade was kicked off by and featured both the reigning Seafair munity gatherings and fun in Mount Baker for 100 years, and we Queen and the Wheedle (from the Needle), the old Seattle Super- are planning a year filled with exciting programs and activities to sonics mascot. For an entry fee of $1, you got ice cream, pop, and celebrate this milestone. In preparation, the Clubhouse staff has “better-than-average” draft beer. Activities included Soap Box Der- had a blast looking through old scrapbooks, organizing decades by races down Lake Park Drive. Prizes were awarded for the Crazi- of photos, and reading news stories from our neighborhood (Read est Hat Design and an art contest for kids, with the theme “What more about the Centennial Celebration on page 10.) a day in the park means to me.” The day’s entertainment consisted of good ol’ field day competitions, including potato sack races, We even discovered an interesting tidbit about Day in the Park. watermelon eating contests, a father/child piggy back race, and an Although the first official Day in the Park happened in 1971, the all-neighborhood tug-of-war. tradition dates back much longer. Neighbors started gathering for an annual picnic in Mount Baker Park as early as 1909. In a way, It’s time for you to get ready for a Summer of Love Day in the Park we could call this the “105th Day in the Park” instead of the 43rd. on September 14! Wear flowers in your hair. Rummage through your closets or local thrift store for your best hippie flair – bellbot- In the spirit of historical beginnings, we thought it would be fun to toms, beads, headbands and fringe are highly encouraged. Don the honor the first “official” Day in the Park in 1971. Using the theme colors of the season. Come celebrate summer with us! of Summer of Love, we will bring back some old traditions and mix 1 NEWS OF THE MOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY CLUB for September, 2014 NEWS OF THE MOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY CLUB for September, 2014 In addition, Ben Blakey, Dawn Counts, Jim Kleckner, Justin Elder, Mark Temmel, Mike Brosius, and Zach Fleet continue their roles as ANNUAL ELECTIONS board members at-large, serving on a variety of our committees. NONPROFIT PROFILE: DISCOVER DIVERSITY OF By Lee Stanton, MBCC Governance Committee Chair At this year’s annual board meeting, we said a fond farewell and many As I pen this article, we are looking for an individual who is inter- HOUSING AND PEOPLE AT SHAG’S RaiNIER COURT heartfelt thanks to Sue Cary, our effective and active Chair of the Zon- ested in our parks, enjoys plants and planting them, and would By Rebecca Winn & LeighBeth Merrick ing, Land Use, Planning & Transportation (ZLUPT) Committee for be willing to serve as our new Chair of the Parks and Open Space four years and to Colin MacDonald, the Chair of the Parks & Open Committee. This is a modest time commitment, very enjoyable, and The Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) is a nonprofit -or Space Committee and the founder of our Day of Service program. psychically rewarding. Please contact me if you are interested; I can ganization with communities around Puget Sound that “enhance be reached at [email protected], or on my cell phone, and enrich the lives of people through affordable housing.” Right Continuing this year are Andy Reynolds as President and the Chair (206) 227-1808. here in the Mount Baker neighborhood on 33rd Ave. S, we have of the Board; Peter Greaves as Vice President and the Chair of the the Discovery Center, SHAG’s main leasing office, plus three af- Clubhouse Committee; and Bart Wilson, Bill Davis and Ron Suter as As you receive this issue of the View, the Board will have set our work fordable housing communities that are collectively referred to as the Treasurer, Secretary, and General Counsel, respectively. Jin Lee plan for the coming year, and will be looking forward to working to- Rainier Court. will continue the leadership of the Zoning, Land Use, Planning and gether for another fruitful and productive year of serving our neigh- Transportation Committee; Ann Beeman will be heading the Com- borhood! Please come join us! To foster greater community across the Rainier Court properties munications Committee again; and Judith Yarrow will continue to and into the surrounding neighborhoods, SHAG has developed chair the Development Committee. Judy McBroom has joined us as the Community Life Foundation. The foundation provides quality the MLK Jr. Scholarship Fund representative. arts programs and networking opportunities with neighborhood partners. Their goal is to establish a street-level community center in Rainier Court that would be open not only to residents, but also to the greater community, inviting them to participate in technol- to be featured in the lobby of Courtland YOUR MBCC BOARD ogy and arts classes, tutoring and other programming. Place. The mosaic reflects the diversity Officers: of culture and experience in the women’s PRESIDENT/BOARD CHAIR If you’ve noticed the red and yellow building on 33rd Ave. S just arts group. Andy Reynolds, [email protected] as you turn off of Rainier Ave., that’s Courtland Place at Rainier VICE PRESIDENT & CLUBHOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIR Court. It houses 200 residents who are either over the age of 62 or Peter Greaves, [email protected] The blue and gray building across the street from Courtland Place TREASURER & FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR over 55 with disabilities. Courtland Place is a tight-knit community is The Dakota at Rainier Court. It is an affordable family commu- Bart Wilson, [email protected] of veterans, retired Boeing employees, teachers, nurses, musicians, nity with residents living in one-, two- and three-bedroom apart- SECRETARY homemakers and more. These men and women are a treasure trove ments. Many of the children who live in this community attend Bill Davis, [email protected] GENERAL COUNSEL of talent and perspective, and are quite active in the surrounding John Muir Elementary school, just a couple blocks down the street. Ron Suter community. They attend local churches, volunteer, support local At the heart of this highly diverse community is a sizable immi- Committees: shops and are involved in many community events. grant population from East and West Africa. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR Ann Beeman, [email protected] Courtland Place residents are also participating in a unique wom- DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR This August, SHAG is excited to open its newest community— Judith Yarrow, [email protected] en’s arts and culture group with the help of SEED Arts (more at Columbia Gardens at Rainer Court—right next to The Dakota. Co- GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR pro tem www.seedseattle.org). By providing translation services, the group lumbia Gardens will have 70 affordable apartments and townhomes Lee Stanton, [email protected] brings together residents who would not otherwise have been able for seniors. It is an environmentally friendly building, with a large PARKS & OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE CHAIR TBD, [email protected] to communicate with each other while they collaborate on art pro- courtyard in the center featuring pea-patch planters for gardening. ZONING, LAND USE, PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION CHAIR jects. The culmination of the program will be a glass mosaic piece Jin Lee, [email protected] Want to get involved and support SHAG? On September 13, 2014, M.L. KING JR. SCHOLARSHIP FUND REPRESENTATIVE Judy McBroom SHAG is holding a bike-ride fundraiser called Spokes for Folks, with proceeds supporting seniors who are living independently. Board Members at Large: Justin Elder Ben Blakey Mark Temmel The ride will start at the Tukwila Community Center and follow Zach Fleet Mike Brosius the Interurban trail to Pacific, WA. Jim Kleckner Dawn Counts Clubhouse director: For more information on Spokes for Folks, Megan Haile, [email protected] go to www.housing4seniors.com/spokes- CLUBHOUSE PROGRAMS & OUTREACH: Erin Bruce, [email protected] for-folks. You can register as a participant or support a rider. You can also stop by Clubhouse Staff: The View: Joe Kadushin Vatsala Isaac – Editor-in-Chief SHAG’s Discovery Center any time to Mary Joy Lopez Gaelan Kelly – Layout and Design meet SHAG’s staff, learn about the Com- Kristen Myers Scott Macphee – Copy Editing/Produc- Rory Deen tion Management munity Life Foundation and take a tour of the three wonderful communities. 2 3 NEWS OF THE MOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY CLUB for September, 2014 NEWS OF THE MOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY CLUB for September, 2014 SECRETARY’S VIEW OF MBCC BUSINESS SOUTHEAST DISTRICT COUNCIL SEEKS TO BE A MORE By Bill Davis, MBCC Secretary Following is a quick review of our monthly community meetings. Increased residential density and walkability can be addressed by ACTIVE VOICE WITH CITY OF SEATTLE adding small, energy efficient homes near existing mass transit by Bill Davis, MBCC representative and Southeast District Council secretary April 3 Community Meeting facilities.