Columbia Citizens

your Wikli-fix: anticipation & participation

So much to look forward to, so much to do! When it comes to community activities, Columbia Citizens enjoy a wealth of meaningful opportunities to engage with what's around us. Columbia city is in motion — don't let it pass you by. Hop in!

Here's a rich sampling of the neighborhood's offerings:

neighborhood in the news

Columbia Citizens got lots of media love last week:

• 98118: the most diverse zip code in the country …
• Seattle Night Out August 3rd
• Homebuyers look outside the urban core
• Extended-stay hotel opens in Columbia City
• Harbor Properties plans Columbia City apartments
• Come to Mawadda Cafe for a deal and a dream
• Columbia City Theater grand re-opening 06/25/10
• Light Rail in Rainier Valley: What's the verdict?

25th Avenue Court Association - Annual Picnic

Please join us on Sunday September 9 under the Oaks. We will be gathering as a community at 4:00 to celebrate Lakewood Seward Park Community Club's 100 year anniversary!

Let's gather at 4:00 - flag dedication at 4:30 - good eats around 5:00

Columbia City Community Chorus summer solstice concert

a benefit for Real Change News in honor of vendor Robert Hansen

Friday June 18 7:30pm
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 3818 S Angeline
$5 - 20 suggested donation

Come join your friends and neighbors at the Columbia City Community Chorus' first concert. The show will be a benefit for Real Change Newspaper in honor of vendor Robert Hansen, who passed away this April. Read here about how Robert's heart and humor touched the lives of so many of us, you probably knew him too!

Columbia City Gallery: Glue & HeART of Haiti

Columbia City Gallery is pleased to announce two new exhibits. In the Main Gallery we present Glue, which features new work by gallery artists Stephanie Dickie, Kate Harkins, Lin Holley, Shari Kaufman and Annie Moorehouse. In the Guest Gallery, we present heArt of Haiti brought to Seattle by Haitian American Seattle resident and collector and Lucid Jazz Lounge owner David Pierre-Louis from a trip to the recently devastated country.

Artists' Reception Saturday, June 19, 5-8pm

Furry 5K

The 11th annual Furry 5K is happening at Seward Park on Sunday, June 20th!

This race supports the Seattle Animal Shelter's Help the Animals Fund, which provides veterinary care for the sick, injured and abused animals the shelter helps annually.

For more information or to register online go to www.furry5K.com.

new development, St Gobain site

It's been awhile since we engaged with Harbor Properties' proposal to redevelop the St Gobain Site.

Harbor has downsized their project and has hired a new design team, Runberg Architecture Group. They've submitted an application that takes them back to the very beginning of the public process, Early Design Guidance.

No Place Like Home Open House

Did you know that there used to be seven houses on the Whitworth Playfield? In 1989 those houses were torn down to expand the school site. This spring students at Orca K-8 @ Whitworth have researched the houses and the people who lived in them. We wrote stories based on the historic evidence we were able to find about those people. On June 17th from 3-7 we are going to draw the floorplans of the houses on the playfield and even put furniture in one of them! This even is free and we would love for you to come so we can share our information with you. Refreshments will be provided. Thanks!

Playground design and build days

The Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club is building a playground next to the new Seattle Housing Authority units on MLK Jr. Way. We are inviting community members and parents to come and help us design the playground on June 17th from 5:30-7:30pm and help on build day (August 12th). For more information please contact Tom Tidyman at 206-436-1904 or at gro.ecalpevitisop|namyditt#gro.ecalpevitisop|namyditt

The Boys & Girls Club is at 4520 MLK Jr. Wy S. We'll provide food and childcare, so bring the whole family and help create your new playground.

RVCC dedication event

Please join us to celebrate our newly renovated arts facilities on Thursday, June 24, 4:30 - 6:30 pm at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St.

With support from local individuals, foundations and public agencies, SEEDArts has made long-awaited renovations to both the Rainier Valley Cultural Center and the Columbia City Gallery. We'd like to share them with you.

Southeast District Council Meeting

June 23rd, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave S.

City Councilmember Sally Clark and County Councilmember Larry Gossett will be in attendance.

Southside Commons Presents 'Maxed Out'

This Thursday June 17 at 6pm the Southside Commons Film Series will be hosting a free showing of the documentary Maxed Out. Please join us!

Maxed Out takes us on a journey deep inside the American debt-style, where everything seems okay as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time.

Southside Commons is located at 3518 S Edmunds St, west of Columbia Park.

Trail Design Meeting for Cheasty/Mt. View

We invite you to the last community trail design meeting for Cheasty Greenspace/Mt. View on Thursday, June 17, 2010 from 7:00 - 8:30pm. Our fantastic landscape architects (and CCity neighbors!), Johnson Southerland, will unveil their recommended plan for this pivotal space.

This meeting will be held at the street end of S. Alaska Place (one block west of the CCity Light Rail Station). The Open House-style meeting will present the recommended trail plan; we will also have guided walks through Cheasty Greenspace/Mt. View.

Wellspring FS Launches “Kids Helping Kids” Coin Drive

Rainier Beach 6-year-old Rena Mateja has been collecting pennies to "help homeless" babies for three years. On April 27, 2010, she surpassed her goal of $500!

Musician Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew of The Presidents of U.S.A.) was inspired by Rena's generosity, and so he wrote the song Happy Heart for her. And he wants to do the same for one lucky kid who follows her example to selflessness and service.

Wellspring Family Services has launched a "Kids Helping Kids" coin drive, and you can catch up with Caspar Babypants and the "Kids Helping Kids" booth at the Columbia City Farmer's Market on Wednesday, July 21st from 3pm – 5pm.