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Arts/Living

Beacon Hill, Columbia City Top List of ’7 Best Neighborhoods in Seattle’

January 29, 2012

in Arts/Living

SOUTHEAST SEATTLE – Two Southeast Seattle neighborhoods have made 7×7.com’s list of The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Seattle.

Beacon Hill beat the Phinney Ridge/Greenwood area as the best neighborhood in the city for families:

As over 20% of the households in Beacon Hill have kids, you would be hard-pressed to find a more kid-friendly neighborhood in Seattle. According to Great Schools, Beacon Hill has one school with an above 8 rating. The area also has multiple parks and playgrounds, a neighborhood branch of the Seattle Public Library, vast community diversity, and close proximity to light rail.

While Columbia City was named the ‘Most Diverse’ neighborhood in Seattle, with the International District/University District listed as runner up:

The 98118 zip code is arguably one of the most diverse in our nation. Columbia City boasts over 60 spoken languages. The neighborhood celebrates this diversity with street fairs throughout the year, one of the best Farmers Markets in the city, and many of Seattle’s best restaurants. Enjoy authentic Jamaican food. Discover the cuisine of Ethiopia. Head to Columbia City for an experience in cultural immersion. Don’t forget to stop for coffee and a pastry at the darling of the neighborhood, Columbia City Bakery.

Laurelhurst was named as the safest neighborhood, with Montlake running a close second:

This pictorial neighborhood on the shore of Lake Washington comes in as number one with under 30 reported non-violent crimes in a two-month period. Unfortunately, safety will cost you a pretty penny. Laurelhurst is 99% more expensive than any other neighborhood in Washington state. If you can afford the million dollar price tag (or the $1,800 rental prices), look no further for your sense of safety and well-being. Laurelhurst is close to the University Village shops and boasts 8 miles of bike lanes. With beautiful views of Lake Washington, Laurelhurst is one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets.

Photo/Dougerino (South-End Scenes Flickr Group)

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Columbia City Gallery Presents “Things We Don’t Know” & “Lights, Camera, Action”

January 24, 2012

in Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – This week, Columbia City Gallery presents two new exhibits.

“Things We Don’t Know” and “Lights, Camera, Action” will run Wed., Jan. 25 through March 11.

In the Main Gallery, Dianne Bradley and Jim Madara present new work with “Things We Don’t Know”.

Meanwhile, in the Guest Gallery is “Lights, Camera, Action”, photographs that explore drawing and painting with light by students at the Children’s Institute for Learning Differences, a school that provides innovative programs for children with special needs.

The artists’ reception – free and open to the public – is planned for Sat., Jan. 28, from 5 to 8 pm at the Columbia City Gallery (4864 Rainier Ave. S.).

Photos/Columbia City Gallery

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Several South-End Cultural Events Awarded City Grants

January 18, 2012

in Arts/Living

SOUTHEAST SEATTLE – The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs recently announces funding awards to 39 neighborhood arts festivals and events, including four in Southeast Seattle.

BeatWalk in Columbia City, Cinco de Mayo on Beacon Hill, Pista sa Nayon in Seward Park and Word Expressed in the MLK, Jr. Way district will each receive $1,200, along with all the other winners.

“Seattle’s neighborhoods are home to a range of cultural events that help forge connections among diverse communities,” said Vincent Kitch, director of the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. “By investing in these events we hope to support creativity at a grassroots level and help build community through arts and cultural participation.”

The award program supports neighborhood groups that produce recurring festivals or events that promote arts and cultural participation, build community and enhance the visibility of neighborhoods through arts and culture.

For a complete listing of events and festivals funded in 2012, go here.

Photo/BeatWalk

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MONDAY: Hip Hop Awards to Be Presented at MLK Celebration in Columbia City

January 15, 2012

in Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – The King County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in Hip Hop will be presented tomorrow during the MUSICA Festival at the Columbia City Theatre (4916 Rainier Ave. S.).

The King County Executive’s Hip Hop award acknowledges and honors innovative performance, community service and entrepreneurial achievement by locally based members of the hip-hop community whose work has had significant impact in King County.

This year’s winners include three local favorites, including R&B/Soul Artist Choklate for (Innovative Performance), Dr. Quinton Morris (Innovative Performance/Community Service) and producer Aaron Walker-Loud (Community Service).

Organizers say the MUSICA Festival, which will begin at 7 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 16, is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. King while raising awareness to the namesake change of “King County” to “Martin Luther King County”, and logo change from a crown to the likeness of Dr. King.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, go here.

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SEEDArts Needs $50k by Jan. 31 to Revive Columbia City Cinema

January 9, 2012

in Arts/Living,Business

COLUMBIA CITY – Last month, Southeast Seattle’s largest non-profit arts organization announced plans to revive Columbia City Cinema, after it closed in May 2011 when the previous owner couldn’t afford to bring the building up to code.

SEEDArts has been working with a community Advisory Board to investigate the feasibility of raising funds to refurbish and reopen the popular movie house with popular first/second run movies, foreign and independent films and specialized programming.

The group wants to start by renting the building for one year and then raise approximately $1.1 million to renovate the building, fix the code violations and establish operations. To sign the one-year lease, it must raise $60,000 by the end of January.

“Over the holidays, we raised $10K of the $60K that we need by the end of Jan in order to secure the lease for the cinema,” said Advisory Board member Fionnuala O’Sullivan (RVP sponsor).

She added that if they are unable to raise the funds, they will not be able to sign the lease.

For information or to make a donation, go here.

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

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SEEDArts to Revive Columbia City Cinema

December 21, 2011

in Arts/Living,Business

COLUMBIA CITY –  SEEDArts, Southeast Seattle’s largest non-profit arts organization, has announced plans to revive Columbia City Cinema.

The cinema, which featured first-run films on three screens, was popular with all of the neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle. The area suffered a great blow when it closed earlier this year. Since then, residents and businesses have repeatedly expressed a desire to reopen the beloved movie house.

In response, SEEDArts says it has been working with a community Advisory Board to investigate the feasibility of raising funds to refurbish and reopen the cinema.

“[The] goal is to maintain a critical cultural space in Southeast Seattle, an underserved area that represents one of the nation’s most diverse zip codes,” said SEEDArts Executive Director Jerri Plumridge.

The cinema closed in May when the previous owner couldn’t afford to install a fire sprinkler system needed to bring the building up to code. SEEDArts wants to rent the building for one year in an effort to maintain the building’s status as a public cultural and entertainment space.

During this time, an advisory board will embark upon a feasibility study and a capital campaign to raise approximately $1.1 million to renovate the building, fix the code violations and establish operations. To sign the one-year lease, SEEDArts must raise $60,000.

“The mission of the Columbia City Cinema will be to provide an entertainment experience in Southeast Seattle, to offer a community-based alternative to the commercial film venues, and to celebrate and promote the artistic elements of film,” added Plumridge.

She says the cinema will offer popular first/second run movies, foreign and independent films and specialized programming geared towards its diverse community.

Although a lot of excitement has been generated in the community, Plumridge emphasized that the project is only in its early stages.

“SEEDArts and the Cinema Advisory Board are working together to finalize a business plan, establish reliable contractor bids for construction and confirm the support capacity of the local community and of public and private sources,” she said.

The Columbia City Cinema will be a project of SEEDArts, which is a program of SouthEast Effective Development, a not-profit corporation founded in 1975 whose mission is to build strong communities in Southeast Seattle through the provision of housing, arts, and economic development programs.

SEEDArts owns and operates Southeast Seattle’s two main arts facilities: the Rainier Valley Cultural Center and the Columbia City Gallery. Donations can be made here.

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

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Changes Coming to Seattle’s Community Centers

December 20, 2011

in Arts/Living

By Kiersten Throndsen, KOMO (RVP news partner)

SEATTLE – The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department says that it’s found a way to keep all of the city’s community centers open next year despite tough economic times.

Under instruction by the city council, Parks and Rec spent 2011 meeting with key stakeholders and staff to come up with a new system for operating community centers.

More than two dozen community meetings were held throughout the year and from them, the Community Center Advisory Team developed what they call a new ‘tiered system’ for running community centers.

The Southeast tier includes Jefferson, Rainier, International District/Chinatown, Van Asselt and Rainier Beach Community Centers.

Under the new system, Parks and Rec says operating budgets will be reduced while still providing key programs.

Starting in January, the city’s community centers will be grouped into five geographic areas, each including five centers. This will allow Parks and Rec to manage and provide ‘coordinated’ programs among the centers.

Parks and Rec says the new operating system will save more $1.23 million in next year’s budget.

The center’s new operating hours can be found here.

Parks and Rec also adjusted the hours for Teen Life Centers and Late Night Programs for next year.

Rainier Community Center in Columbia City is part of the new Southeast tier established by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Photo/Rainier Valley Post

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Royal Room Opens Tonight in Columbia City

December 16, 2011

in Arts/Living,Business,Eat

COLUMBIA CITY – The south-end’s new restaurant, bar and music club opens tonight with a grand opening celebration featuring 21 acts over four days.

The Royal Room – a 99-seat venue run by Steve Freeborn, Tia Matthies and popular local jazz keyboardist Wayne Horvitz – will feature live music seven nights a week, a full bar, and kitchen with dinner, late-night and weekend brunch menus.

“It’s been a thrill to work with Steve and Tia on this project, and something I have dreamed of for a long time now,” said Horvitz. “We hope to create something that really supports local music, for a variety of reasons – artistically, culturally, politically and socially. Seattle has a great scene, and great venues, and the Royal Room aspires to compliment that scene while putting something a little different in the mix.”

Thursday through Monday nights the venue’s programming will feature creative music in a variety of styles with an emphasis on local musicians and artists. Musicians, composers and artists will be booked for extended weekly residencies of six to 10 weeks with an emphasis on special projects unique to the venue. Tuesdays and Wednesday’s will feature national and touring acts in ticketed shows.

Go here for the opening weekend line up.

The Royal Room is located in the Royal Esquire Club at 5000 Rainier Avenue South in Columbia City. Photo/Daniel Sheehan

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Weekend Update: Let the Holiday Fun Begin!

December 2, 2011

in Arts/Living

See our Big Dates Page – the only comprehensive calendar of events in all of southeast Seattle – for more information on these and other south-end gatherings, events, meetings, groups, etc. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of what’s happening around the community this weekend…

Saturday:

Sunday:

Monday:

This year, the Argosy Christmas Ship festival celebrates 62 years of bringing communities together to celebrate the holiday season. From its flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, the celebration is truly one of the gems of the holiday season. Photo/Argosy Christmas Ship™ festival

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Seward Park Clay Studio to Host Holiday Sale

December 1, 2011

in Arts/Living

SEWARD PARK – This weekend, Seward Park Clay Studio kicks of its annual holiday sale with a preview party on Fri., Dec. 2, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, where guests can shop, meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. There is a $10 suggested donation for the event.

The show continues through December 24, with free admission Mondays through Fridays, 12 to 7 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-6pm.

Photo/Seward Park Clay Studio

SUNDAY: Mt. Baker Rowing & Sailing Center to Host Annual Open House & Auction

December 1, 2011

in Arts/Living

SATURDAY: Rainier Beach & Lakewood Seward Park to Host Holiday Gift Bazaars

December 1, 2011

in Arts/Living

 

 

The Christmas Ships Are Coming!

11.29.2011 Arts/Living

RAINIER VALLEY – This year, the Argosy Christmas Ship festival celebrates 62 years of bringing communities together to celebrate the holiday season. From its flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, the celebration is truly one of the gems of the holiday season. Each night, through December 23rd, the flotilla will [...]

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Columbia City to Kick Off Holiday Season With Tree Lighting Festival & More

11.28.2011 Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – The Rainier Valley community will kick off the holiday season this weekend with a Lighting Festival on Sat., Dec. 3. The fun will begin at 4:45 pm on the west side of Rainier and Hudson with refreshments, music from the Rainier Beach Children’s Choir and a visit from Saint Nick. Nearby, at [...]

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New P-Patch Coming to Othello Area

11.27.2011 Arts/Living

NEW HOLLY – There’s  a new community garden sprouting up in the Othello neighborhood of Southeast Seattle. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, in partnership with community volunteers, is developing a new P-Patch in the north end of John C. Little Park. Neighbors are invited to learn more at a community meeting on Wed., Dec. 7, [...]

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Next Steps for New Rainier View P-Patch

11.25.2011 Arts/Living

RAINIER VIEW – A new P-Patch is is coming to the empty lot at the corner of South Leo and Beacon Avenue South, and with the design phase complete, neighbors are gearing up to bring their design to life. A series of community meetings with a landscape architect was held earlier this fall to determine [...]

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New Music Club Coming to Columbia City

11.22.2011 Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – A new music club is coming to the south-end. The Royal Room – located inside the Royal Esquire Club at 5000 Rainier Avenue South – will feature local artists of all genres and be open for dinner and weekend brunch. The club is owned by Steve Freeborn, Tia Matthies and popular local [...]

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New Family Friendly Sports Bar Opens in Columbia City

11.15.2011 Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – Rookies Sports Bar and Grill – the Rainier Valley’s new, much-anticipated family friendly sports bar – has finally opened in the Ferdinand St. space that was once home to Kallaloo Caribbean. “We encourage families to come and enjoy their favorite sports on one of our big screens, come after games they’ve attended [...]

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SPLAB to Host One of World’s Most Inspiring Authors

11.09.2011 Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – This weekend, the writing center known as SPLAB will host what Poets & Writers magazine calls one of the 50 Most Inspiring Authors in the World. “[Brenda Hillman] reminds us that the language we use when ordering a sandwich is also the language we use to make art,” they said. “Her environmental [...]

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Seward Park Celebrates Centennial With Art Show, Gallery Opening

11.08.2011 Arts/Living

SEWARD PARK – Seward Park has long been a place of inspiration for its visitors and this week, Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center will host a gallery opening and artist’s reception for a new exhibit celebrating the park’s centennial year. Seward Park 100 showcases paintings, poetry and more from seven local artists, including Suzanne [...]

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Columbia City Theater to Host Benefit Show for Aki Kurose Middle School

11.07.2011 Arts/Living

COLUMBIA CITY – On Thurs., Nov. 10, at 6 pm, Columbia City Theater will host “A Show for the People” – a benefit show featuring the 6th, 7th & 8th graders of Aki Kurose Middle School’s choir, glee club and string ensembles. “These talented young musicians will be collaborating with (older) local musicians for a [...]

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