Seattlest interviewed monologist Mike Daisey and his wife/Director Jean-Michele Gregory about moving from Seattle to New York and the differences between the two cities.  Daisey and his wife reminsce about Cal Anderson, Thanh Brothers Pho, Dick's, Rosebud and Vivace.  Daisey declares, "I'm still a big Capitol Hill partisan."

      The new Pho Lotus Chinese and Vietnamese Restaurant opened  where the old El Tijin  Mexican restaurant used to be down by the old Jade Pagoda Chinese Restaurant and next to the old Siam Thai Restaurant.

 

 

This is the first time in a very long time that I'll be on Capitol Hill for Independence Day. I'll be at the Capitol Hill picnic at Cal Anderson park on Saturday. If you're staying in town, hope to see you there. I'll have a jar of CHS crow buttons and will Tweet our picnic blanket location -- stop by, say hello and put down a blanket nearby if you like.

Meanwhile, this sunny Friday holiday kind of snuck up on us. What are you doing with it? And where will you be on Saturday?

(photos: laundryninja, liquidnight, zeebleoop)

NKO Originally uploaded by liquidnight

Last year, CHS asked for some tips on where to see the city's fireworks from Capitol Hill. Below is what we learned. Expect a few more bodies this year as the Lake Union fireworks will be the only show in town. Don't want to overload any one place so make sure to spread out and let the short people up front. And bring your singing voice.

• I-5 shores is usually hopping!! -- sparklingallison
• You can also watch the fireworks displays going on the eastside from Capitol Hill on 22nd ave around Galer. There are usually at least 3 different displays to see. -- Mike
• we usually head to the eastlake over-pass (which will be closed to traffic) to watch the lake union fireworks from there. best non-roof-top viewing i know of... -- mmess
• Just north of the Belmont-Eastlake I-5 overpass -- Andrew Taylor (Secret firework spot)

Message is the same for all locations. Don't even try to drive. You'll never find a place to park.

UPDATE:
SPD confirms comment below from Prospero -- the...

If you are looking for something closer to the red, white and blue fringes this Saturday, you might want to twist up your dreads and hitchhike your way uphill for a 15th Ave E 4th of July.

• Hillside Quickie's 4th Annual Fourth of July BBQ

Fourth Annual Vegan BBQ Buffet: $8.00!

It’s back again! Join us on Saturday, the 4th of July from 2-5pm for Hillside Quickie's 4th Annual Vegan BBQ Buffet, where animals are our friends and it’s sexy to be vegan!

This summer we have more of our awesome backyard-style BBQ, including Tofu, Tempeh and Seitan burgers, some of the best potato salad, greens and the only Mac & Yease in town. Also, we're introducing our new line of leafy green gourmet salads chock full of our Signature Tofu’s Tempeh’s and Seitan.

All of this, Hillside Quickie’s yummy Desserts and Ice Tea all for just $8.00 our way of saying thanks for the business all year!

When is it?

Saturday the 4th of July from 2pm until 5pm

Where is it?

Hillside Quickie's Café...

The conversion of the dustbowl that is Miller Playfield to artificial turf continues. Earthmoving gave way to installation of drains and then layers of rock and gravel. Cycling to work this week and I came across the artificial turf being delivered. Here are a few pictures of what a rolled up ballfield surface looks like. It's FieldTurf, made by a company in Georgia.

I remind you of the other improvements we are campaigning for, and invite you to encourage the Parks Department to make them. The Superintendent's letter, attached below, demonstrates that they are moving in the right direction, but your further encouragement will surely help (contact info).

June 15, 2009

Dear Mr. Taylor,

Thanks very much for writing in with your suggestions.

1) Free time on the field for pickup games

We considered the possibility of setting certain times for drop-in play, but after discussion decided against it. The problem is that organizations would travel to the fields to use the open fields for (free) practice....

I love Cal Anderson Park and the way it reflects and collects the neighborhood character. (And characters.)  I moved to Capitol Hill about 2 years ago so I wasn't around for it's tranformation from Lincoln Resevoir and didn't realize the history of the site, the significance of the name, or what Teletubby Hill is actually made of.  (Hint:: not dead teletubbies.)  The Adventure School fills in my knowledge gap with historical pictures and a short informative account of the park, then and now.

Create your own Cal Anderson Park memories this Saturday at the Independence Day Community Picnic.  Music, root beer tasting, food, games, and more: check the flyer for details on all the activities.

Think you have a chance to win the Pet - Human Look-Alike Contest?  Pics or it didn't happen.

Soccer field at Cal Anderson Park
Originally uploaded by rutlo

After the amazing debut of Saturday's Capitol Hill Pride Festival:

C. Hill has a new pride event, a Sat. street event, all good, no competition for the vast Sunday parade and Center happening, just a pleasant couple of hours and not requited to spend a fortune.

A noisy but intriguing takeover of the People's Parking lot:

while i think the idea of a dance party (or anything really) in that lot is pretty cool, the execution really sucked. blasting music at midnight in violation of noise ordinances only goes to show how selfish and self-centered some people on the hill can be. why not have the dance party earlier like at 9pm? you know, when most people probably AREN'T sleeping.

And a general sense of good times all over the Hill as people claimed the streets as their own for a weekend, some people are asking for more:

How about this Saturday?

The 7th annual Capitol Hill Independence Day is waiting for your to build on it. Not that it needs too much help. Already planned:

• Free music
• All-park parade
• Patriotic tie-dye
• Root beer floats from Molly Moon's, eats from Via Tribulani
• Free cotton candy
• Urban family portraits

The planned portion of the event runs noon to 5p.

But CHS has also heard about an interesting opportunity in the park later that night. Reportedly, the parks department will be leaving the lights on at Cal Anderson Park's Bobby Morris play field ALL NIGHT LONG. Ostensibly, this energy expenditure is designed to deter idiots from burning holes in the artificial field turn. But it seems like an opportunity begging to be embraced and extended. Remembering the lessons of the 'guerrilla dance party,' creative and respectfully-quiet young patriots might be able to put the Cal Anderson midnight sun to work. Happy Independence Night.

Seattle Gay News was kind enough to share their 2009 Pride Events Calendar with us for your downloading pleasure. As we say around here, if you print it, share it. Have a happy Pride.

Download PDF

06242007-19 Uploaded by machu picchu

The 2009 Pride parade marshals all have Capitol Hill ties, of course, but we're happy to see inked stained wretch George Bakan will be again doing his best parade wave this weekend. There's George doing his 'parade clap' back in 2007.

More about Bakan and the 2009 marshals here:

For 26 years George Bakan has been the Editor-in-Chief for Seattle Gay News. He has been overseeing the operation of the SGN weekly newspaper since 1983.

-------------

Charlene Strong was appointed to the Washington State Human Rights Commission in January, 2009.  After the death of her partner Kate Fleming she became a tireless advocate of marriage and same-sex equality.

-------------

Anne Melle has been on the Board since 2005. Raised in the Chicago area, she was lucky enough to give birth to two gay sons. She became involved with the LGBT community when her first son came out to her 40 years ago. In 1977 she joined Parents of Gays, a Chicago group that was part of the pioneering LGBT organization, the Mattachine Society. Several years later, Parents of Gays become one of the first PFLAG chapters in the country, and Anne was a founding member of the Chicago PFLAG chapter.

 

Pride means different things at different times. Parties, parades, politics. On Saturday morning, Pride on Capitol Hill will take a different pace for a few deeply breathed moments. The Stonewall 40 Group's Equalityoga event is an attempt to create another way to bring people together for Pride. Hard to argue with any idea that involves a big group of people, good health, sunshine and Cal Anderson Park.

In the shadow of Stonewall’s 40 anniversary, yogis, yoginis and studios across Seattle will unite in advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality by participating in the largest outdoor class Seattle has ever seen. Equalityoga on June 27, will use the flow of and energy of community to create positive social change. The event, the first of its kind, will take place at Cal Anderson Park Playfield and will be led by instructors Troy Lucero, Maygen McGrew and Matt Meko. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Steve Gold and Gina Salá. It will be a unique experience for the LGBT movement as the heterosexual community is coming out in full force to support the rights of LGBT minority. Proceeds raised will directly benefit organizations that are advancing the equality movement: Lamdba Legal, Equal Rights Washington and Gay City Health Project

Equalityoga is produced by StonewallForty, a group dedicated to ensuring that LGBT people receive the same rights guaranteed to everyone else.

Equalityoga

Saturday, June 27
Gates open: 9 a.m.
Flow begins: 10 a.m.
$15 suggested donation

Organizer Genessa Krasnow told CHS while they're not sure exactly how many people to expect on Saturday morning, her group is hoping to bring together hundreds of Pride celebrants. "We want to grow the community," Krasnow said. "There's something that happens when you get on a yoga mat and are breathing together."

Krasnow said she also thinks people are ready for new elements for Seattle's Pride. "It's not an event in a bar. It creates wellness. It creates energy."

Krasnow thinks Equalityoga can be part of a more political Pride. "The politicism is coming back," she said. "Communities are uniting together. This advocacy for gay rights is really happening at the local level," Krasnow said.

That doesn't mean it's easy for advocate groups to survive. Rough economic times mean plans need to be simple and budgets, tight. The Stonewall 40 group had to scrap plans for a Saturday afternoon event in Volunteer Park because it would have cost too much and generated too little for the nonprofits Stonewall 40 supports. "We want to create something sustainable. It can't be sustainable if there aren't funds. I do miss pride in Volunteer Park. It was amazing. But cities change."

For the yoga gathering, Krasnow thinks Cal Anderson is a great stage for Pride events. "The thing about Cal Anderson is you are right out in the open. People can stumble onto what you're doing and join in."

If you're looking to stumble onto something to join in with, Saturday in Cal Anderson is a good bet for the sports minded and bodied. In addition to Equalityoga, The Bend-It Collective will host the Big Gay Field Day sports event in the park, and this group trying to organize a game of something called Calvinball....

If you ever had the urge to not vote for me, tonight's your chance. I am not running for anything.

But these people are:

You can read more about their ticket here. If that kind of civic enthusiasm is appealing to you, show up tonight at Cal Anderson Shelter House between 7-8:15p and cast your vote in minutes. Learn about all the candidates here. You can also stick around to hear statements and Q&A with the candidates.

Only two slots are being contested -- president and vice president. Joining Power and Chhuor, pictured above, in those races are Charlette LeFevre, running for president, and Kami Bodily, running for vice president.

LeFevre

Bodily

LeFevre and Bodily have been working together this year on projects like the Capitol Hill Pride Festival on Broadway this Saturday and the Capitol Hill discount dollar program.

Capitol Hill Community Council Election
7p at Cal Anderson Shelter House (near the sports field)

• Free ice cream provided by Molly Moon's!
• Free cupcakes from Cupcake Royale!
• Democracy!...

Looking for something to do this weekend? My dog can help. Here's the deal: every Thursday, I'll walk my dog Dory along Pike. Whichever band poster she expresses interest in is the pick of the week.

The unscientific rules:
She expresses interest by sniffing or marking. The pick must be on Capitol Hill and it should be the coming weekend. If her pick doesn't match this criteria, I'll select the closest poster on the pole that meets the criteria.

This weeks winner: CKY at Neumo's, June 29. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm.

Runner-up: Okay, this isn't a band, but it is Gay Pride weekend, and this poster was closer to her nose, so it's Latino night at Neighbors on June 28.

And here's a bonus photo that I consider street art. How the heck did they do this?

Three large maple trees are tagged for replacement in front of the Stimson Green mansion. Reason? Prior topping has resulted in decay and structural defects.

If you've been walking around The Shores lately, you may have noticed this wonderful little garden sprouting on Harvard, just off Olive Way. Its amazingly well constructed. Nice little rows of plants surrounded by a brick border. I was curious about who started this project and finally got a hold of Nathan, one of the gardeners of the plot. Nate gave me the skinny on how this beautiful bed of sustainability came to be.

The group that is tending the garden along Harvard Ave between Denny and Olive is a small collective of people that were organized by a woman who put a post on Craigslist.  The request was for people looking to utilize public and unused land in our local neighborhoods for growing produce.  We met in late feb on a weeknight at Remedy Tea.  There were 7 people who, with the exception of 2 couples had never met before that evening.  The idea was originally to build a series of these gardens.  However, we had difficulty obtaining permission to use some of the private land we...

Some buzz from some organizers about this year's Pride being the 'serious Pride' or 'political Pride.' How about 'Green Pride'? Organizers from OUT for Sustainability are working hard to make sure this year's celebration will be a ecologically responsible one. Director Gerod Rody passes along this "Green(er) Pride Guide" to, as Rody puts it, improve "your sustainability impact at LGBTQ Pride this year."

Download PDF

The advisory committee and the Seattle Planning Commission (those evil plan hatchers) are holding a 'workshop' Monday night to start a process of outreach and feedback to help shape updates of Capitol Hill's neighborhood plans around nine strategies:

1. Create a culture and business 'hub' on the north end of Broadway
2. Leverage student housing to create a more vibrant environment on Broadway near Seattle Central
3. Establish three main business corridors: Broadway, Olive Way and 15th Ave
4. Increase housing options while maintaining affordability and character
5. Assure affordable parking on Broadway
6. Preserve affordable and market-rate housing in Pike/Pine
7. Create Pike/Pine design guidelines to preserve character
8. Develop west area of Pike/Pine to strengthen connection to downtown
9. Encourage development of mixed-used buildings and pedestrian friendly environments in Pike/Pine east of Broadway

More details on these strategies below.

Capitol Hill's neighborhood friends in Monday's status check meeting are Queen Anne, Belltown, Eastlake, and First Hill. Pike/Pine also gets its own plan, by the way.

Neighborhood Status Report Updates, Monday June 22nd
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Neighborhood_Planning/StatusReports/
For Queen Anne, Belltown, Eastlake, Capitol Hill, First Hill, Pike/Pine
6-8 p.m.
South Lake Union Armory 860 Terry Ave N.

Please join members of the Seattle Planning Commission and the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee in the first of a series of two important community meetings.

These two citizen groups want to hear your thoughts. Come and tell us how your neighborhood has changed since your neighborhood plan was adopted. Your comments and input at this meeting will help the City of Seattle complete a status report that will look at how well your neighborhood plan is achieving its goals and strategies.

This first series of meetings will provide an opportunity to learn about your neighborhood plan, the projects that have been implemented, and growth and changes that have occurred since the plan was written in the late 90's. We will explore issues such as growth, transportation, housing, economic development, basic utilities, neighborhood character, open space and parks, public services, public safety, and other issues.

The second meeting series, tentatively scheduled for October, will be an opportunity to review the status report.

You can review Capitol Hill's existing neighborhood plan -- a decade old now -- to see what these efforts are all about. The old plan's key elements:

• Fund & Construct Cal Anderson Park
• Complete a Broadway Economic Redevelopment & Rezone Analysis
• Upgrade Streetscapes to Create Safe, Attractive Pedestrian Connections
• Pedestrian Lighting and 15th Ave Improvements
• Improve & Manage Parking
• Provide Support & Options for Homeless and Street Youth

Many of the things you experience on today's Capitol Hill developed within this framework. And, of course, a lot was developed outside of the framework, also.

For a look at what comes next, here are the draft status reports for Capitol Hill and Pike/Pine:

• Capitol Hill neighborhood plan status report
• Pike/Pine neighborhood plan status report

From the Capitol Hill report, here is what are currently considered the draft 'Vision' and 'Key Strategies' for the neighborhood's future development:

Capitol Hill Key Strategies

A. North Anchor District Plan – builds on the historic context and cultural assets of the north end of Broadway to create a culturalbusiness hub.

B. South Anchor District Plan – leverages the investments in Seattle Central Community College, the lidding of Lincoln Reservoir, and the Link station to create more vibrant commercial and residential development in the Broadway area from E John St. to Pine Street.

C. Commercial Corridor Plans – defines actions to support each of Capitol Hill’s three Commercial Corridors —Broadway, 15th Avenue E and E Olive Way.

D. Residential District Plans – works to increase housing diversity and affordability, and maintain the neighborhood’s character.

E. Parking Management Plan – seeks to assure adequate, competitively priced parking for shoppers and visitors in order to keep the special small businesses that make the Broadway and the North Anchor District unique.

If you are wondering what kinds of input a citizen might provide at Monday night's meeting, voicing your opinion on the need -- or lack of need -- for an emphasis on parking is the kind of stuff it's time to start talking about.

Here are Pike/Pine's Key Strategies:

Pike/Pine Key Strategies

A. Preserve and Encourage Affordable and Market-Rate Housing–in order to strengthen the neighborhood’s existing mixed-use character and identity.

B. Sustain the Character of the Pike/Pine Neighborhood–by development of Design Guidelines to preserve ‘character’ buildings and implementation of urban design improvements that enhance the pedestrian environment.

C. Strengthen the West End Entry–as entry points into a diverse neighborhood with unique opportunities for shopping, recreation and entertainment by enhancing connections between Pike/Pine and Downtown.

D. Strengthen the Neighborhood Core East of Broadway–by consolidating the area bounded by Broadway, 12th Avenue East, East Pine Street and Madison as a cohesive core of mixed-use buildings and pedestrian friendly streets.

D. sounds good to CHS. Las Ramblas of Capitol Hill, anyone?

Both status reports also have some nice graphic presentations of 2000 census data and more current estimates for demographics, housing and economic trends on the Hill and maps to outline the exact geographic reaches for each plan.

Capitol Hill stats. Example of some of the datasets available in the reports.

Meanwhile, the planners are also making available rosters of work items that have been implemented -- or need to be implemented -- in each plan area. We've reposted them as Google Spreadsheets to make them easier for everybody to examine.

• Capitol Hill implementation matrix
• Pike/Pine implementation matrix

Our favorite item in the matrices is this, the highest priority in the Capitol Hill list:

People Center:  Develop a permanent facility to serve as a community gathering place for residents and human development organizations to meet, connect, and support the neighborliness of the community. Secure convenient, transit-accessible physical space (5,000-20,000 sq. ft) in the North Anchor and/or South Anchor Districts. Locate meeting space and offices for the Human Development Council and its staff at the People Center. Serve diverse needs and interest groups including gays, lesbians, handicapped people, seniors, widows, and widowers. Include:

-Referral Center:  Work with the Neighborhood Service Center, the existing neighborhood referral agencies and the Crisis Line to improve information and referral services in the neighborhood. Create and maintain an inventory of human development services and activities. Provide information about transportation, health and social services, entertainment and community and interest group activities. Maintain a listing of local meeting rooms available for no or low cost for use by groups providing community services and activities.

-Volunteer Coordination:  Develop and coordinate a network of volunteers to serve as street ambassadors, listening posts, or referral resources to facilitate outreach and engagement for those in need.

-Facilities:  Provide support for community connectedness activities with facilities for meetings, informal socializing, programmed activities, support groups, drop-in assistance and Internet access.

-Location:  Consider locating the People Center at such locations as the Pilgrim Church or at the Oddfellows Hall. Consider developing the People Center as part of a broader community center or co-locating with the Neighborhood Service Center.

Awesome! Somebody heard the CHS call and responded to our well-reasoned argument for the development of a community space in the heart of Capitol Hill! The process really works! Oops. One problem. That priority item was written in 1999. Oh well. Something else to talk about Monday night.

Photo: Seattle Police Foundation

Between 1p and 4p today, 12th Ave will be closed to traffic for the event which features free music, food and raffles. You can also tour the precinct HQ at the corner of 12th and Pine.

All sorts of ways to get involved this weekend. See you out there.

Saturday June 20 2009
09:00 AM - 03:00 PM	Preschool Moving Sale Capitol Hill Cooperative Preschool is having a huge sale this Saturday. June 20th, 9:00am - 3:00pm We are moving to a new location and have many many items... (more)
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Capitol Hill Community Street Sweep CHCC's Clean & Safe committee is currently working on organizing their sixth Capitol Hill Community Street Sweep event scheduled for Saturday, June 20... (more)
10:00 AM - 02:00 PM	Forest Restoration at Interlaken Park Join EarthCorps, Green Seattle Partnership, Seattle Prep, Friends of Interlaken Park, CLC and Seattle Parks & Recreation as we continue to restore historic... (more)
03:00 PM - 05:00 PM	Fuel Coffee's Dani Cone Book Signing BOOK EVENT! Tall Skinny Bitter Book Event, June 20 Fuel Coffee and Bailey/Coy Books is excited to announce the publication...

The last thing you need is your neighborhood news blog nagging you. So no nagging. How about free Molly Moon's ice cream, instead?

• Next Thursday night at 7p at the Cal Anderson Shelter House, the Capitol Hill Community Council will elect new officers to represent the 2009/2010 council. Even if you never plan to come to another meeting, you should come out to vote. This year, the council created things like the Capitol Hill Halloween walk, the discount dollar program, drove the process to secure funding to complete the Summit/John park, helped make the Capitol Hill Garage Sale a big deal and represented the community in discussions with agencies like Sound Transit, Seattle Department of Transportation and the rest of City Hall. The council also got a lot of the hard work that it takes to get a group started like pounding out new bylaws. You can read about the candidates here. You will note that my name -- Justin Carder, glad to meet you -- is not among them. My year as chair of the Council draws to a close...

 I was perusing MyBallard earlier and saw this very cool map of the changing business landscape. So I decided to copy it pretty much exactly for our hood.

View Business Changes in a larger map

I also got Huiyona on there but I didn't want to zoom out that far. So far, it looks like we have weathered the recession pretty well. By my count we have had 8 11 businesses close in the last couple months but 12 13 new ones open and three four more set to open in the near future.

Closed:

Horizon Books, Fire Grill, Artemis,...

Dead fish up close
Originally uploaded by severinus

With gorgeous June weather like this, city people sometimes need a trip to the sea to cool, relax and recreate. If you live on Capitol Hill, that means a trip to our "sea shore" -- the sandy beaches of Lake Washington.

But be careful where you walk when you're getting a little sand between your toes down Madison Park way. Lake Washington's beaches are currently littered with tiny dead fish. Sun-baked threespine sticklebacks wash up by the hundreds in some stretches. Same thing happens every year after their short spawning season. Every year it's kind of surprising. Especially when you step on one of the sharp little buggers.

But no need to lament the changing earth or worry about this as yet another sign of impending global doom. Instead, dead sticklebacks are something to celebrate. The species has evolved in 'full-speed reverse' to cope with the improving conditions of pollution in Lake Washington. So every time you crunch one walking in Madison Park, think happy thoughts. It's June, it's sunny and you're at the shore.

If you missed participating in the garage sale yesterday, Justin took a bunch of Capitol Hill Garage Sale Day photos.  Vik Duggal of Konstructr even produced a video of the day's events at the community site (I could only access the video in IE and footage and sound are spotty at the beginning). We did meet Matt Longoria of Sad Boy Tacos - who admitted to being internet unsavvy.  Even though he used twitter to announce that he would be at the garage sale serving up vegan tacos, he failed to mention that he was serving them up for *free*.  He ran out of tacos in less than two hours - apparently, they were delicious.  Matt is focusing on catering for the moment - so no taco truck/stand in the near future. 

Photo by zeebleoop

If you'd like to help support the Cap Hill Garage Sale Day event, organizers still need some help covering the cost of the $500 insurance policy needed to utilize the lot. Organizers raised $137.50 at the sale in donations. Please consider throwing a little more in the bucket:

HELP PAY FOR...

IMG_2374
Originally uploaded
by bkraai2003

Neighbor Mike with curls provides CHS with this game report from Saturday night's annual Bat n Rouge softball game at Cal Anderson Park's Bobby Morris playfield:

... what a hoot ... Queens vs. Dykes

This is so much fun - big crowd, about 3,00 spectators, perfect weather and the dykes won 33-29 -- remember this is not real playing, but money buys strikes, runs and all kinds of dancing and other creative antics

Fund raising for Alano club, the GLBT AA club - raised a lot of money, the dykes kept buying runs for 100.00 each ... tons of fun, personality galore, and community spirit and many bad jokes

And, yes, most of the male players would have been chosen last in middle school ... so who gives a shit now a few years later

We also get an insight into some of the calls made during the big game -- Bat n Rouge 2009's umpire Kyra Olson has a blog:

So as an ump I lived up to my billing. Calling time out before a pitch to give a queen a wet t-shirt. Dancing with players on the field. One queen got a small rip in his mini skirt as he was batting...so I helped up him...by ripping the skirt further. The dykes would wrestle between innings for money...I would go out and referee it. I did one half inning eating a snow cone (my onfield partner one upped me by eating a hot dog).

The whole thing was a wild outting...and a lot of fun! :) So many people were entertained as evidenced by the laughter. The player had a good time too...and I was complimented by the majority of them for making the game a little more fun. I had a blast too and look forward to doing it again next year (I hope to be asked back...and if reactions right after the game are any indication I am likely to).

Here's a mail from organizer Ben Crowther about an opportunity to add your voice to a Sunday morning "celebration/protest" in the neighborhood:

More about the event from the site:

Join us Sunday June 14th, 2009 for a community celebration.

The Westboro Baptist Church is coming to Seattle with intended efforts of protesting our community's schools, places of worship and spreading lies about our communities.  As a way of counter protesting, we will show Fred Phelps he does NOT disempower our communites.  He unites us as we support each other.  We wont allow ourselves to stoop down to their level by shouting hateful messages.  We shall use this as an opportunity to unite our communities and empower ourselves. Celebrate our victories, how far we've come and unity.  We by no means will tolearte or try to befriend the WBC.  Still, we can be heard and create a much bigger impact.  This is a demonstration/celebration.  PLEASE allow us to keep it this way.

No Fighting

No Profanity

No Hate

No Hateful signs

No Spiting

No Violence

No Alcohol/Drugs

Lets show WBC their efforts of bringing us down will NOT be effective.

 

Meet at Mt. Zion at 10am THEN march starts at 10:45 as we travel down to St. James and try and arrive as close to 11 as possible.

 

Mt. Zion                               St. James

Baptist Church                 Catholic Cathedral

10am-10:45 am                     11am-Noon

1634 19th Ave.                         809 9th Ave.

(19th and Madison)                (9th and Columbia)