I was walking up MLK this morning on the way to the light rail station when, before I had finished my first cup of coffee, I was confronted with the absence of one of our beloved reflector art panels. What villainy is afoot? Does anybody know what happened?

I have a message out to Sound Transit about it and will post if I find out anything.

We learned today of the death of Robert Hansen, a longtime vendor of the newspaper downtown and in the Rainier Valley.

…

Born in Seattle and raised in the Rainier Valley, after high school at Rainier Beach Robert spent 15 years hawking food and beverages in the stands at the Kingdome. Years later, he could still reel off the barks he’d use to attract business: “Ice cold beer! Freeze your teeth, give your tongue a sleigh ride,” he’d say as he strode through the stands with a tray of cups. He worked as a baker, a laborer, a meat processor and a cook. He sold newspapers throughout much of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Within six months of Real Change’s first edition in August 1994, he began selling the paper. He was a frequent presence at the Seward Park PCC, downtown near the seats of local government, and at the weekly Columbia City Farmers Market.

Read more at Real Change.

Today, Columbia City is seen as one of the most diverse, active, and vibrant communities in Seattle. Its historic district has drawn in tourists, and mobility has been facilitated by Link Light Rail's new station. But nothing is more impressive than the neighborhood's 180 degree transformation. Several events that were part of the initial grassroots revitalization efforts still exist: the Columbia City BeatWalk, the Rainier Valley Garden Tour, a farmers market, and the Columbia City Gallery. Despite the rapid gentrification (which even Darryl admitted was a necessary step in renewal), the neighborhood is now ethnically, socially, and economically diverse.

In Columbia City, I think that's the Toby Building (this isn't its most flattering picture, but you know it).

It has a storied history as a neighborhood anchor. It has all the stature, solidity and permanence of the landmark district. Its assertive corner bay is a focal point, as if to say, "Here you are, welcome to our crossroads".

Thing is, I've never thought the ground floor space lived up to its 100% calling. For years, it's been home to the Technology Access Foundation, a well-recognized local nonprofit focused on students of color. TAF seems like a great program — I just think this institution would have been better located in a second story or on a side street. In any case, TAF has now moved a few blocks south to Genesee.

The building is owned by Pioneer Human Services, and they provide 27 units of affordable, transitional apartments in the two floors above. Pioneer believes that "every individual has untapped potential and, given the chance for change, can become a contributing member of our community." I sure hope they apply this same thinking to this drowsy storefront.

TAF gave its notice ages ago, and the space is vacant now. So I'm hoping there are some active proposals in the works. Apart from Jesse's CCCC/LLL idea, what other options are out there?

• Seafair proposes a small-plane runway at Genesee Park.
• Naked bikers petition to join this year's Rainier Valley Heritage Parade.
• (something really real about Skillet)
• Columbia Plaza gains landmark status.
• Citizens dig up vintage fireworks on Hitt's Hill.

i haven't clicked on the link to "read more" THAT fast in a while!
I wonder how many other people bought it? Even for just a few moments?
:-D

And there are some kick_a** paintings at the bakery, all plein aire paintings around Columbia City. I forget the name of the artist but am going back for a purchase once I decide which want I want.

Thanks for a great Saturday morning, Columbia City! Jennifer

The grassy hill is where people sit down, after they have filled their market baskets. This is where they take the quesadilla or tamale they just bought at the market stall, or the plate of spaghetti. They sit and eat and talk to their friends, families have picnic dinners, kids play together and people laugh and the sun drops low and slants across the grass and there is a feeling of happy in the air.

It’s not just the food, it’s how it brings us together.

Whenever I go to the market at Columbia City I make sure to spend a few minutes checking out the grassy hill behind the market. Be it the little kids skipping and playing together, the neighbors catching up on news, or just a family having an evening picnic in the dwindling sunlight—this is the community that food can create.

I think it’s beautiful.

When construction begins at Columbia Plaza, the market's new home must be within sight of this park.

Can such communities ever be convinced that higher density is OK after all? It seems a long shot, but Duvernoy argues that there are ways we can make density attractive, if we can find ways to fund them. To make the point, he shows people a series of images. The first is a broad, tacky Aurora-like street with no trees or sidewalks, lined on both sides by one-story commercial buildings. Ask people if they'd like to live there, Duvernoy says, and virtually everyone says no. Then, Duvernoy adds a few trees. The answer is still no. The picture goes through progressive changes. Finally, it winds up with lots of trees, more pedestrian amenities, narrower traffic lanes, and multi-story buildings. Virtually everyone says yeah, he could imagine himself or at least his kids living in a place like that. To Duvernoy, the message is clear. Most people don't dislike density per se. In Seattle terms, they don't like Aurora Avenue North but they do like Columbia City.

Precisely.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=114851744825157232687.00044d5f3635d8abd1058

Feel welcome to add the location of your good news!

I've eaten a lot of Jones, which I love, and not enough of Willie's to really make a head to head
comparison between them. But in my universe, More Barbecue is undeniably a Good Thing and
I'm glad to see another great source opening up nearby.

Naturally I thought of passing along the recommendation to my fellow citizens here, and
then I started thinking about having grabbed a few great lunches at two more new restaurants
at the corner of Rainier and Walden, too.

Two Asian restaurants share the building on the northeast corner of that intersection. Rainier Teriyaki is closer to Walden, and has food from a wide range of Asian cultures (didn't someone say they wished for closer Korean food? there's some on the menu here). Thien Phat next door serves Vietnamese and Chinese food, with more of a formal feel than its casual teriyaki neighbor. Thien Phat also has a screamin' deal on banh mi sandwiches for takeout at lunchtime, ca. $2 for a
great sandwich and a can of soda. Yum!

It looks like the other three parcels at that corner have been turning around too…I'm hoping to
have an excuse to stop into the supermarket at the southeast corner and see what they've got
in store!

It's great to see the Rainier corridor "revitalizing" in the Walden area, just like things are starting
to get hopping further south in Hillman City.

And it's so easy to feel happy and philosophical on a rare sunny winter day, with a tummy full
of delicious barbecue…thanks, Willie's!

http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/environment/seward.htm

We have really been enjoying both the food and the atmosphere at this newest restaurant addition to our 'hood. Chef Gerold offers a well-balanced menu with lots of real Philippine cuisine as well as more commonly-found dishes like burgers, cedar-plank salmon and chicken marsala. They also have chicken fingers on the Kids' Menu. Of course, we order the Filipino food each time, but in case someone in your party just doesn't want to try the palabok or the pancit bihon, they won't need to go hungry.

For me, it's just such a treat to eat good Filipino food without having to cook it myself! And with the added benefit of the place being a nice walkable distance. (A kawali is a type of frying pan, in case you were wondering.)

This (below) is a kawali, by the way.

===================================
Here is a write up from the Seattle P.I. January 11, 2008:

Fine Filipino fare is just the start at Kawali

by Kristen Milares Young
P-I reporter

Ever hear of Hillman City?

No?

Well, the burgeoning retail and restaurant strip along Rainier Avenue South just got lucky, catching some cuisine that could easily match — and sometimes best — that of its northern neighbor, Columbia City.

More here: seattlepi.nwsource.com/food

===================================
Seattle Magazine also did a review on Kawali:

Although many Filipinos live in Seattle—far more than the number of Thai immigrants—there are relatively few places to explore the food of their island nation. It’s a pleasure to see a new spot open up to satisfy any lumpia (Filipino-style egg rolls) cravings one might have. Kawali Grill has the look of a pin-neat diner with its sunny yellow interior, simple furniture and a couple of televisions tuned to the evening’s Seahawks game.

More here: seattlemag.com

===================================

I'd heard raves about it from a family in the neighborhood and my family tried it for the first
time tonight. Delish! We got a takeout combination, which was more than enough to feed our
family of four, for ~$14.

We will definitely be back…the K family gives it four thumbs up and says, "Check it out!"