Columbia Citizens

your Wikli-fix: get ready

Get ready for the neighborhood's busiest season. Seems like everywhere you turn there's something going on. Step out and step right up.

neighborhood in the news

from the Seattle Times:

When the Columbia City Cinema closed after a seven-year run, it left thousands in wasted donations and unpaid loans as the fourth independent theater to run into trouble under its now-bankrupt operator.

The vacant building can't be occupied because when Paul Doyle remodeled it, he did so without permits. Fire inspectors found missing sprinklers and alarms, burned-out exit lights and flammable debris.

Here's the rest of the article

call for artists & craftspeople, Art in the Alley applications

The Columbia City Gallery is accepting applications from artists and craftspeople in all media to participate in Art in the Alley, Southeast Seattle's outdoor visual arts festival. Every year, we fill the alley just to the north of the Gallery with art and the artists who make it. This year, we are pleased to be partnering with Rainier Valley Summer Streets Block Party and Parade, which will bring hundreds of potential customers to the neighborhood. Art in the Alley is on Saturday, August 20th from 11 am – 5 pm. You can download vendor applications on the front page of our website.

Columbia City ArtWalk, Bohemian Backstreets

Next Thursday, July 21st, Community Arts Create will be hosting Columbia City's 3rd summer ArtWalk. Bohemian Backstreets is an artwalk like no other, celebrating the arts of all varieties, from visual art and music, to puppets and culinary demonstrations. Take a walk around the neighborhood, visiting neighborhood shops and restaurants where artists have hung their work. Participate in public art projects.

New to the ArtWalk this month, Art After-Hours! Live Art and Music at the Columbia City Theater after the ArtWalk starting at 8pm. Don't miss it!

Columbia City Chow Down

July 26, 2011 from 5-9 p.m.
Fundraiser for the Rainier Valley Food Bank
Experience small bites to eat at 13 participating restaurants in the Columbia City neighborhood in one night of foodie fun!

Participating restaurants for tastes: La Medusa, El Pilón (Puerto Rican), Island Soul Caribbean, Jones BBQ, Tutta Bella, Verve Wine Bar and Bistro, Full Tilt Ice Cream, St. Dames, Wabi Sabi, Banadir, Empire Espresso, Geraldine's Counter, Chelsea Deli.

Columbia City Farmers Market

Come on down to the market this Wednesday, July 13th to take part in our first collaboration with local social justice maven Solid Ground.

Solid Ground's Cooking Matters class will host the following activities:

• 4pm — Chef Demo: Ratatoulli
• 5pm — Nutrition Tour: "Cooking Nutrition on a Budget"
• 6pm — Scavenger Hunt

Kids Tent: Columbia City Library

Columbia City Musikgarten

Columbia City Musikgarten has summer camps and classes. Music to make, fun to be had — come join us!

We have the following classes for July and August, both single classes and camps.

emergency preparedness forum

Are you ready for the next earthquake or other disaster?

If not, attend the free emergency preparedness forum tonight, July 13, at 6:30 pm at the Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Avenue South in Columbia City.

There will be lots of great information, prize raffles, and a limited supply of items to start your own home emergency kit.

Here's our flyer.

Jazz Night School @ RVCC

The first of two summer session performances, this Saturday, July 16, 7pm at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center. Next performance is Friday, July 22, 7pm also at the RVCC. Admission is $10, children free!

parents' night out

How would you like four hours of free time with your spouse?

• free child care ages 3-10 years
• sponsored by Columbia Lakewood Community Church — 50th & S Ferdinand
• open 4 to 8pm on 7/15, 7/29, 8/12 and 8/26

There will be team active play, a BBQ dinner, and the evening will be wrapped up with a short devotional and quiet play.

For more information, call Pastor Jeffrey Barker at 723-9272, email moc.nsm|2rekrabj#moc.nsm|2rekrabj or Joan Burdon (425) 641-4802 and pick up a registration form at the church office.

Rainier Valley Heritage Parade and Summer Streets Party

Saturday, August 20 is going to be the biggest celebration in the Valley! We are opening Rainier Ave from Brandon (at Group Health) to Alaska (at the library) for peds and bikes. First the parade at 11am, then the Street Party from 12 to 3pm.

Celebrating the diversity of 98118 with the Rainier Valley Culture Fest Weekend on Sat 8/20 and Sun 8/21: Seafair Sanctioned Event with continuing celebration on Sunday at Othello Park International Music and Arts Festival.

Seward Park Centennial Festival

Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17

Here's the detailed schedule

Souvenirs T-shirts, posters and etchings available for sale online at SewardParkCentennial.org and at our Centennial Sponsor Seward Park PCC Natural Market.

Seward Park Centennial garden and history tour

For Seward Park's Centennial, the Friends of Seward Park presents a garden and history tour on Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 1 to 4pm. This self-guided tour includes private and public gardens and sites of historic interest in Hillman and Columbia City.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the tour and may be purchased on the Centennial web site. All proceeds will help to support the rest of Seward Park Centennial events throughout 2011. For tickets and information about Centennial events, please visit SewardParkCentennial.org.

town hall with Mayor McGinn

Town Hall with Mayor McGinn Saturday July 23rd, 11:45 am.

Mayor McGinn is visiting neighborhoods to learn what issues matter to residents. His walking tour may include Combined Sewer Overflow Project sites, our business districts, the parks, and will end at the Clubhouse at
around 11:45 when he will hold a town hall meeting to answer your questions.

The Lakewood Seward Park Community Club is located at 4916 S Angeline (corner of S Angeline and 50th Ave S).

Up-Beat Girls Jazz Camp

Jazz Night School is hosting a great opportunity for girls to jump into jazz and/or get ahead. Learn improvisation skills and ensemble techniques in an empowering, intensive one-week day camp. No previous jazz experience needed.

For all instruments & vocalists, Grades 6-12
Aug 8 - 12, 9:30am -3pm.

Tuition is $350. More at JazzNightSchool.com.

Valley & Mountain Fellowship celebration

Valley & Mountain is a spiritual community/church based in Columbia City with a mission to build a radically inclusive community, rooted in grace, that practices deep listening and creative liberation. It is made up of people with all kinds of perspectives who share a desire to create a more just and peaceful world and to grow in capacity to love and spiritual depth in the context of an open and supportive community.

Celebrations are one manifestation of what this community is, and involve a mix of meditation, yoga, art, poetry, music, making sandwiches for the food bank, a reflection, and a shared meal. Sunday, July 17, 4-5:30 PM, at the Cultural Corner in the old Columbia School, 3651 S Edmunds St (new location).

Workshop: fearless home fix-up for beginners

Taught by three experienced and patient craftswomen

In this fun, hands-on workshop you'll come away with a better understanding of how your home works, the confidence to repair many common problems and the skills to tackle a multitude of projects. Absolutely no experience necessary!

Saturday, July 23rd, 11am - 3pm
New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S