UPDATE: I was going to cover the meeting, but the place was on police lockdown when I showed up maybe 2-3 minutes late. The officer guarding the door told us the meeting had reached capacity, and that nobody else could go in. There were only a few of us locked out, including longtime Yesler Terrace community organizer Kristen O’Donnell and a small group of young people who came to the meeting to voice their concern about police action during a queer “dance party” during Pride.

Some of the people who were turned away at the door

I’m not sure what the organizers were thinking (they claimed the room was at capacity, but when we were finally let in, there were plenty of empty chairs). The young group who showed up to participate in a community meeting to talk to a panel of police and government leaders were turned away at the door (several left before we finally talked our way inside). Some murmured that the only reason they weren’t let in is “because we look like this.” And no matter what the intent of the police and EastPAC organizers, you can understand how they might get the feeling that they are not welcome to voice their concerns in these meetings.

It took about a half hour before we talked our way in, and the meeting had already moved to Q&A. If you were at the meeting, please let us know what happened at the beginning in the comments below.

New East Precinct Commander Ron Wilson would not comment on the use of force in busting the queer dance party, which is under investigation. When asked about his comment to our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle that he did not “believe the actions we took were out of line,” Wilson said he was referring to the decision to move the crowd out of the street, not necessarily the decision to use pepper spray.

He said he is supportive of free speech rights, pointing out that a student debt protest recently occurred without incident.

“We had a march last night that went off, I think everyone would agree, extremely well,” he said. But he acknowledged that “we need to improve.”

Senator Adam Kline said that, compared to his youthful experiences protesting for Civil Rights in Baltimore, “The tidal change in the professionalism [in SPD] is impressive.”

During the rest of the conversation, two themes came up several times: Youth and social programs need more funding, and people need to feel they are being listened to. We have a lot of work to do on both counts.

UPDATE: EastPAC Chair Stephanie Tschida has apologized that anyone was turned away. See her comment below.

Original Post:

The monthly meeting of the East Precinct Advisory Council is tonight (June 28) from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Seattle University. Some big names are scheduled to attend, including Senator Adam Kline, Seattle City Council Member Nick Licata, City Attorney Pete Holmes and new East Precinct Captain Ron Wilson (who recently defended the precinct’s controversial handling of a queer protest on Capitol Hill).

Details from EastPAC:

Please be reminded to attend our EastPAC Community Meeting this Thursday, June 28, beginning at 6:30 PM.  Our guests for the evening are Senator Adam Kline, Seattle City Council Member Nick Licata, City Attorney Pete Holmes, and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative’s Jamila Taylor. 

We will also be welcoming our new East Precinct Commander, Captain Ron Wilson, who began his career with the Seattle Police Department on December 10, 1976. In his previous assignments as a Captain he commanded the Community Outreach Section and the Metropolitan Section which included SWAT, Harbor Patrol Unit, Mounted Patrol, Canine Unit and Crisis Intervention Team.  

 

We’ll see everyone there, and please be on time, so we can start on time!  

East Precinct Advisory Council (EastPAC) Community Meeting

Thursday, June 28th, 6:30 TO 8 PM

Seattle University’s Chardin Hall, Room 142

1020 East Jefferson-

(enter on 11th and Jefferson, park free in front of building)  

UPDATE: Here’s the video from Ciaren (thanks!). I apologize for the poor audio (I said I would fix it and then failed).

A day-long summit Friday is designed to help teen parents navigate the trials of parenthood. The summit runs from 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Douglass-Truth Library. Anyone interested should register online.

More info from the event poster:

It’s OCnotes‘ birthday, and that means the folks at Central Sounds are throwing a BBQ bash at the 21st and Union Hollow Earth Radio station. The all-ages Art Show gets underway at 9 p.m. tonight (June 27). You can also listen live online.

Here’s the (awesome) poster for the event:

Walkable Central District organizes monthly walks through the CD for African American residents looking to stay healthy. The walks start at Safeway on Madison the last Saturday of each month from 5 – 7 p.m.

From Walkable Central District:

Sat June 30st 2012 Dub-A Community Walk 5-7pm.
Meet at the Safeway on 22nd & E Madison.
Walk what you can = Walkablity
Walking shoes @ the ready.
“Let’s walk it out!”

The event poster:

St. Clouds at 34th and Union is one of many restaurants in neighborhoods around the city participating in the third annual  Spoke & Food fundraiser. Basically, you just bike to the restaurant tonight (June 26) between 6 and 10 p.m., and 20 percent of your bill will go to FamilyWorks, a family resource center and food bank based in Wallingford.

Spoke & Food picks a different non-profit benefactor for the event each year. Most neighborhoods in the city have one participating restaurant (other nearby restaurants include McGilvra’s in Madison Park and Julia’s on Broadway).

Details:

Seattle’s third annual SPOKE & FOOD biking and dining event will take place from 6pm-10pm on Tuesday, June 26th. Billed as “an evening of dining and bikes”, the event will take place at 16 different host restaurants in 16 different Seattle area neighborhoods. The event asks people to bicycle to and dine at one of the partnering host restaurants on the night of the event, where each restaurant will then give 20% of their total revenues from the evening directly to the local non-profit the event supports. A new non-profit benefactor is chosen each year with 100% of this year’s restaurant donated funds going to the FamilyWorks Resource Center & Food Bank.

The Spoke & Food event was launched three years ago by a group of friends as a way to influence the culture of Seattle, to build community and to show how easy and fun bicycling to and from dinner, while also raising money for charity. Full details about the event are available at www.spokeandfood.com.

Reminder: The Islamic School is hosting a potluck for anyone who has been a member of the school community today (June 26) from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the 25th and Cherry school.

We reported earlier this month that the school is closing its doors after 32 years due to continually low enrollment. The Seattle Times recently profiled the school and spoke with some former students about their experiences there.

From the Times:

“We worked very hard in making sure they (students) weren’t isolated as Muslims but actively engaged with other religions and other groups of people,” [ISS founding member Ann] El-Moslimany said. For the school, that also meant discussing the history of many religions and ethnicities and not segregating classrooms by gender, as is the norm in some Muslim nations.

Former student Zarbakhtah Kakar, a medical assistant who now lives in Lynnwood, was 8 when she and her family left Afghanistan. When she enrolled at ISS in 1985, she was afraid, remembering stories about Afghan schools that didn’t allow girls and where children were beaten for not doing homework.

“Here, everything was taught through love,” Kakar said. “If you made a mistake it’s OK: ‘How can we help you get back up?’ It was the root of my Islamic education. Without that, I feel like I would’ve lost my roots.”

Like many former students, she sent her own daughter to the school. Yet even as multiple generations of some families filled the classrooms, it wasn’t enough to keep the school going.

Read more…

The school will also be hosting a community meeting July 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. to give the neighborhood a chance to have input in the next steps for the school building.

Reel Grrls summer youth media programs are under way, but there’s still time to register for ones that start in July. Those programs include classes on stop motion and DSLR filmmaking. 

Details:

The Camera That Rocked The World: DSLR Filmmaking  (All New!)

Cost: $295

Ages: 13-19              Dates: July 9 – 13, 10 AM – 4 PM

Skills you will learn: DSLR camera basics, shooting with DSLRs, lighting, workflow, and DSLR post-production.

When video was added to DSLR cameras, it changed filmmaking forever.

This weeklong intensive workshop will reveal the mystery around using a DSLR, helping you to create a beautiful moving image, and expanding your skills as a visual storyteller.

Whether you have experience with traditional film cameras, other video cameras, or using DSLRs for still photography, this is the one workshop you cannot afford to miss this summer!

Prerequisite: Completed one or more Reel Grrls programs OR a high-school video production OR DSLR photography course.

>>> Register today! <<<

 

Reel Queer Youth

Cost: $295

Ages: 13 – 20              Dates: July 16 – 20, 9 AM – 4 PM

Reel Queer Youth is a week-long filmmaking program for queer and allied youth of all genders ages 13-20. Participants will build community, learn basics of video production and queer media literacy, and make a short film with a small group. No previous filmmaking experience required!

>>> Register today! <<<

 

Graphics in Motion: After Effects (All New!)

Cost: $145

Ages: 13 – 19              Dates: July 23 – 27, 2 PM – 5 PM

Skills you will learn: Animation, working with vector graphics, special effects

The most powerful and fun motion graphics and animation software is yours to discover.

Using After Effects, you will add special effects to video, create animations, and make boring information come alive through motion graphics.

From commercials, live action films, and entirely animated shorts, After Effects will give you tools to make imaginative media.

Prerequisites: No previous video production or After Effects experience required. 

>>> Register today! <<<

 

Animate Your Imagination: Stop-motion Workshop (All New!)

Cost: $195

Ages: 9 – 12              Dates: July 30 – August 3, 9 AM – 1 PM

Skills you will learn: Animation, storyboarding, scriptwriting, team work, filmmaking roles, editing

Have you ever wondered how they make your favorite cartoon show or movie?

Work in teams to use clay, paper, puppets, whiteboards, toys, and anything you can dream up to create an animated world!

Prerequisites: No previous animation or video production experience required. Previous participants can repeat this workshop.

>>> Register today! <<<

 

RG Productions Apprenticeship Program  

Cost: $395

Ages: 16 – 21            Dates: July 2 – August 28

Skills you will learn: The hands-on video production work focuses on skill building through intensive workshops, and one-on-one sessions with mentors, including professional filmmakers. On the program application, participants indicate their preference to specialize in Production (cinematography, directing) or Post-Production (editing, graphics). The Production Track includes enrollment in a week-long DSLR Cinematography workshop. The Post-Production Track includes enrollment in After Effects and Advanced Editing workshops. 

Prerequisites: Grrls must have successfully completed two other Reel Grrls Programs, or similar video production experiences (such as a high-school class). Completion of the program will make participants eligible for paid positions in year-round RG Productions projects.

>>> Register today! <<<

You can help support all-ages music at the Vera Project by having a drink at 23rd and Union’s The Neighbor Lady Wednesday. The event starts at 7.

Details:

Come Drink for the Kids at one of our new bars for this year – The Neighbor Lady! Shira and Stephan have moved their night to hot new bar in town, and we hope you’ll join us in welcoming them to the first of many amazing A Drink for the Kids nights. Those who have been to Twilight Exit in the past know this is the craziest of all ADFTK nights. Shots for the whole bar? 50 pints of beer bought at once? A Magician? Anything is possible in the CD. This is your night Central District to remind Capitol Hill, Fremont, and Ballard that you have the most fun and support Vera the most of any neighborhood.

Proceeds raised from Ninkasi Brewing Company beer and Fremont Mischief vodka and whiskey will go to support the Vera Project.

Speaking of magicians, the Twilight Exit (a CDNews sponsor) has some sad news about Cliff:

In a 2-1 decision, the Division 2 Court of Appeals has ruled that LaTanya Clemmons, sister of Lakewood Police shooter Maurice Clemmons, was wrongfully convicted of rendering criminal assistance. The search for Maurice led police to a home in Leschi, but Maurice was able to escape before officers bombarded the home with tear gas through the night.

LaTanya has served two years of her five-year term and was scheduled to be released next month due to good behavior as a non-violent offender. She was found guilty of helping Maurice’s convicted getaway driver Darcus Allen, but the judges ruled that it could not be proven LaTanya knew about Allen’s role.

From the Seattle Times:

While LaTanya Clemmons admitted to police that she drove Allen to a hotel and gave him money for a bus ride to Arkansas, prosecutors did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she did so to help him escape prosecution for murder, the appeals court ruled.

“We can easily infer from the above evidence that Maurice was capable of and did commit the four murders. We can also infer that Allen was with Maurice on the drive to the car wash and that he drove Maurice away from the car wash after the shootings. But this evidence does not prove that LaTanya knew Allen actively participated in the murders as an accomplice,” the appeals court judges said in their ruling.

The annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon will take place mostly in South Seattle Saturday, but the route will send runners down Rainier and, later in the course, into Leschi and through the I-90 tunnel.

There will be music stages at the Rainier Ave I-90 ramps, inside the I-90 tunnel (runners will be in the express lanes) and in Leschi at Lakeside Ave and Dearborn. Here’s the lineup of shows in the neighborhood (though the I-90 tunnel show might be hard to get to):