Here’s the scoop from the streets of Seattle’s East Precinct on the last Monday in September August 2009:

Of the 19 groups accepted, the East African Art and Culture Association (EAACA) was the only organization from the heart of the Central District receiving funds. In order to “enhance multimedia knowledge and skills and to promote cross-cultural art”, EAACA was granted $45,000 to add to the money it raised on its own.

Speaking with EAACA founder Sultan Mohamed, he explained the program is only a year old, but has given many under-served youth a chance to learn a great skill and share their multimedia talents with others. The money, he said, will help continue the project, training returning members to recruit and mentor new kids entering into the program. 

EAACA is open after school and Saturdays, providing youth with access to computers, art, and connecting them with volunteer opportunities. 

Full list of award winners: 

$80,000 to the Polish Home Association for an expansion and remodeling project (Central District) 

$71,737 to the Artists Collaborative of Southeast Seattle for dance and instrumental music programs that offer positive alternatives for youth and encourage partnerships between families, schools, and community groups. (Southeast Seattle) 

$63,750 to the Committee for Renovation of the West Woodland Field for creating a green sustainable track and a ga-ga ball court and rain garden on the school playground. (Green Lake/Phinney) 

$67,210 to the Global to Local project to create youth-driven approach to creating and producing programming in Delridge and West Seattle. (Delridge/West Seattle) 

$75,000 to the Southeast Seattle Senior Center for the renovation and upgrading of the facility. (Rainier Valley) 

$77,200 to the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for the ALL ACCESS partnership to empower local youth through arts-based learning. (Delridge) 

$54,849 to the Homeless Place of Remembrance Committee for the creation of an artistic remembrance to honor homeless people who have died. (Downtown) 

$79,700 to the Friends of International Children’s Park for to contribute to the restoration of the park by adding play equipment and commission a public art installation. (International District) 

$54,849 to the Delridge Neighborhood Trails Committee to create kiosks and wayfinding signs to guide pedestrians to parks, business areas, and community resources. (Delridge) 

$50,000 to the Friends of Northlake Wharf for planning efforts to convert an underused piece of waterfront into an active public site for community use. (Lake Union/Fremont) 

$100,000 to the Seward Park Playground Improvement Foundation for construction of a new nature-themed play area at the entrance of Seward Park. (Seward Park) 

$95,100 to the Vietnamese Friendship Association for a community organizing project that will foster youth leadership, civic engagement, and creation of a model those immigrant communities can use to address social and economic inequities. (Southeast Seattle) 

$28,230 to SouthEast Effective Development for marketing and expanding access and use of the Columbia City Gallery and increase opportunities for diverse artists. (Columbia City) 

$60,000 to Kimball Elementary PTSA to create a global learning community by fostering inclusion and support, leadership development, and providing programs and classes for parents. (Beacon Hill) 

$45,000 to the East African Art and Culture Association to work with youth on enhancing multimedia knowledge and skills and to promote cross-cultural art. (Central District) 

$80,000 to the North Seattle Boys and Girls Club for the creation of a plaza and gathering place for Greenwood neighbors. (Greenwood) 

$88,200 to the Concord Elementary PTSA for the creation of a multi-purpose space for outdoor recreation and education. (South Park) 

$90,000 to the Friends of Waterway #18 to create a new gathering place on Lake Union by restoring the shoreline, planting native habitat, and improving access. (Wallingford) 

$98,761 to the West Seattle Junction Association for the creation of a community plaza and green space in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. (West Seattle) 

 

Hi,

I am new here but have been reading for quite some time. It is currently Sunday evening at 12:30 A.M. There has been a very loud party going on at a house on the South side of Union between 24th & 25th. I called it into 911 first at 11:00 P.M. exactly, then 11:35 P.M. and a third time at 12:10 A.M. I am getting absolutely nowhere with this. I am about a full block away from the offending “party house”. Has anyone else heard this? Called it in? There is no way I am the only person bothered by this….

I am a little disappointed in the lack of response from the SPD. I mentioned this to the 911 operator and was told that this is a low priority. I get that, but this started at 11:00 P.M., I made three calls over and hour and a half and still nothing. What is the story?? Do I have to say the word “gunshots” to get someone to notice this issue since it is in this area??

Yes, I am frustrated and no I would not make up a story of gunshots to get my issue resolved…..

-F.J.

Anybody else see the bright lights on Union St. tonight? The hugeasscity blog notes that MTV crews were there at 2020 Cycles, evidently part of a semi-fictional production for both the TV and web.

A crowd is starting to form at 23rd & Jackson for the 2nd annual March for Youth. Organizers are hoping to get the numbers up to 200 so that it can take the street instea of the sidewalk. Come on out!

We’ll have live coverage throughout.

Update: Here’s some more photos from the event, and scroll below for videos and more:

Mike McGinn & Bobby Forch joined in the march

Photo by Lucas Anderson

Saturday marked the 17th consecutive year that neighbors from 20th & Union gathered for their annual summer block party. An all-day gala filled with games, music and tons of food, this year’s party was, as with every year, a great success. 

According to the event’s current organizer and local caterer Brenda Lee Neuweiler, the party began in 1992 by a family living on the block. It quickly became a tradition, centered around the father’s ‘hood-renowned barbecuing and the crowds it drew. Sadly, after his passing, the party faded into a simple pot-luck, lacking the ritualistic feel that it once had. But for the last 5 years, Neuweiler and other neighbors have revived the event to a celebration of summer and community that lives up to what the party once was.

Neuweiler said the event usually draws about 90-110 people every year from all nearby blocks, coaxed in by a blasting stereo, buckets of hot dogs and hamburgers, a water slide, and a friendly corn shucking competition. Fairly relaxed during the afternoon, the party picked up speed around dinner time as people began pouring in to chow down on Neuweiler’s fire grilled cuisine.

This year’s party was another big hit, despite a visit from the local police concerned about the safety of a blocked, but poorly lit street. Neuweiler obtains a permit 60 days in advance every year to block off 20th between Union and Marion, but a miscommunication brought Seattle’s finest to make sure everything was alright.

(Photo: Lucas Anderson/Neighborlogs.com)

(Photo: Lucas Anderson/Neighborlogs.com)

(Photo: Lucas Anderson/Neighborlogs.com)

See more pictures of the event here.

Developing situation – 911 received a call shortly after 10am from a man who said that his uncle has been shot in the leg two minutes ago inside the house. The shooter has left. The call was on a cell phone, and there’s some confusion about whether it’s the 500 block of 27th or 27th East.

Update: May have to stand down on this one. Police couldn’t find a matching address in the 500 block of 27th (plain). So right now it’s now clear if it was a legit report or not.

We’ll update this as we get more.

A very friendly, well-cared for chocolate puppy just showed up at my house on 26th Avenue. If you know who he belongs to, please let me know: 206.325.9433.

There’s a full Saturday afternoon of jazz music going on now at Flo Ware Park at 28th S and S Jackson. It’s a tribute to Joe Brazil, the famous Seattle saxophonist, and there’s some really talented musicians in the lineup.

The music lasts til 4pm. Come check it out.

Update:

Be sure and check out video clip #2 on the left where Mohammed Jagana gives an amazing rendition of the national anthem.

I’m learning more about Joe Brazil from the speakers here and the informational displays set up in the park.

In addition to being a great musician who played with jazz greats like John Coltrane, he was a teacher who is credited by all of these great musicians here as the man who got them into music. He founded the Black Academy of music in 1969 in the old firehouse at 18th & Columbia, bringing music education to kids that didn’t otherwise have an opportunity to learn.

Joe Brazil came to Washington State in 1962 as the first black tool and die maker at Boeing. He also later worked at the University of Washington as a computer programmer and mechanical technician.

In 1969 he started teaching music at the university, even though he was self taught and didn’t previously have an academic background. He had great success as a professor, teaching jazz to students in a unique style. But he was denied tenure by a secret faculty committee in 1974, leading to quite a scandal, a discrimination lawsuit, and his resignation from the university.

Brazil also appeared in a TV movie in 1976 called “The Secret Life of John Chapman”, about a recently retired man struggling to live on a fixed income.

Joe Brazil, center

Any one know anything about this….heavy police activity between 9:15pm im guessing and they were still there at 9:50pm

Update by scott:

At 9:40pm a clerk in a grocery store in the 400 block of 12th called 911, telling operators that someone had walked in and reported that a person had been stabbed outside. Police arrived and found the victim, who was treated by medics and taken to Harborview. His/her condition is unknown.

The suspect was described as a black female, 30s, 5’5″, thin build, short black hair with red tint, light-colored shorts, and red sandals. She was last seen southbound.

Northbound traffic was shut down until 10pm on 12th between Jefferson & Remington ct.