Washblog

Above: Pastor Timothy Rambo's concern is at-risk youth and acceptance of diversity. "We don't want to hear so much about trees and stuff. People need dignified employment."

New homeowners are concerned about nuisance residences with trash and rodents.

Martha wants to preserve the history of the (admittedly old-fashioned) Highland Park Improvement Club and the building used by the community.

Matt of the Riverview Council says they're working on a hiking/biking nature trail.

Rick Jump, Director of the White Center Food Bank says they need contributions in months other than November and December.

Barbara Viondo describes Weed & Seed, a Seattle Police Dept. program to lessen crime.
Others mention a tacky corner store, dangerous traffic spots, sidewalks needing repair, a desire for neighborhood gathering spots, such as coffee shops. Soon the wall is papered with suggestions.

We break up into groups to brainstorm about Cleanup, Economic Development, Traffic, and Youth.

Note the intent listening in each picture.

Pastor Timothy's young friends Sean and Steve have ideas to positively influence at-risk youth. They want fun and creative outlets like talent shows, poetry slams, art competitions (to rehabilitate graffiti artists!) My org "Citizen Artiste" may be able to sponsor a such a youth performing arts show for a worthy local cause, like the Food Bank.

I said the HP Committee had recently heard from a rep for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, who said they had a hard time finding mentors for at-risk kids in Highland Park Elementary School, just blocks away. This is something I've been thinking about doing. They encouraged me to do it.

Ron Angeles from the City Dept. of Neighborhoods reports on the Cleanup group.

Moi, Event Hostess, Web Goddess and Graphic Designer. I personally was very pleased to meet two women artists who live just blocks away, one a graphic designer like me.

Mary (with daughter Marlise) supervised our "Kid Zone"

DISPLAYS


Display illustrates a project of the Traffic Circle cleanup crew. For some reason, my neighbors are into beautifying traffic circles. To me that is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, but we must engage people on the level that appeals to them, so traffic circles it is.

Display advertises the HPAC website, with an invitation to suggest ways for the site to help neighbors connect.

One of my wishes is that the website will become a real positive vehicle for the community, even though it'll be work for me to keep it up-to-date. There could be photo galleries, an announcements page, a garden page, an artists' page, a kids' page, a before-and-after page, tool & produce sharing, childcare co-ops, etc.

This voter registration display was as much as the committee would let me do, cause they were careful to be "non-partisan". One or two forms and cards were taken.

By the way, I persuaded the committee that it was okay to invite our 34th District Rep, Joe McDermott (not to be confused with Jim McD). He could introduce himself to the neighbors and give us a brief pep talk, maybe, or answer questions. As it turned out, Joe couldn't make it due to another committment, but his office was very prompt in calling me back about that and asked me to keep in touch for future events.

IMAGE MAP is a 5-foot high birds-eye view of the Highland Park-Riverview-White Center area of West Seattle.
Closeup view, showing the Westcrest Park Reservoir, HP Elementary school and Playfield.
Stars indicate where people live.

Children were welcome; we had a "Kid Zone" with toys and art materials.