Highlights of Friends of Madison Park
FALL CLEAN-UP
Nov. 16, despite 90% chance of rain predicted, the skies stayed overcast and over 40 volunteers- adults and childrenpitched in to rake leaves, sweep and clean our streets and fill close to 80 bags of yard waste for the city to pick up, (which, thank you, they did in the afternoon!)
More leaves continue to fall, and we could use another round or 2 or 3 of raking, sweeping, and cleaning but at least volunteers made some great progress with the City’s Adopt-A Street program’s help with tools and bags and pick up. Almost 2 tons of yard waste was collected.
Farmer’s Market Survey
Friends of Madison Park has posted a survey to determine whether the neighborhood supports, or not, trying a Saturday morning Farmer’s Market this summer- with 20-25 vendors selling organic produce, cheeses, meats and related items from June 14 to Sept. 13. The proposed location is 42nd Ave E between E Blaine and E Madison- the block behind the tennis courts.
The survey is posted at www.friendsofmadisonpark.com.
Please read over the FAQ’s at the bottom of the Survey to be sure you have the information to make an informed decision. The hope is to receive feedback from as many neighbors as possible.
The Farmers Market would be run by
Seattle mayor expands downtown public safety emphasis team following crime spike
By Spencer Pauley
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has issued an executive order focusing on public safety amid a recent spike in cases of violent crime in residential neighborhoods.
Harrell’s Friday executive order establishes an expanded use of the “Downtown Activation Team” pilot program, which seeks to provide cleaning and safety operations in the city’s more crime-riddled neighborhoods.
The Downtown Activation Team is a multi-departmental team modeled after Seattle’s Unified Care Team.
The Unified Care Team focuses on resident complaints on encampments, trash in their neighborhoods and other issues.
Initial Downtown Activation Team operations began in early September in the downtown core along 3rd Avenue, a notorious street within the city.
Harrell’s office reported that the pilot program has seen positive early results with the treatment area seeing a 27% decrease in violent crime and an overall 14% decrease in emergency service calls, as well as a 30% decrease in emergency medical responses compared to last year.
“We are already seeing very positive results from our Downtown Activation Team pilot working to restore and activate spaces while connecting people with services, and we are excited to continue expanding this work to more neighborhoods,” Harrell said at a Friday press conference.
The Downtown Activation Team will now expand to more parts of downtown, the Chinatown-International District, and the Little Saigon neighborhood.
Harrell’s expansion of the pilot program comes at a time when violent crime is
CRIME, 5
the Seattle Farmers Market Association (SFMA), not Friends of Madison Park, although Friends would provide volunteers to assist, as needed, to enable a smooth running of the market.
Pursuing the possibility of a seasonal market in the neighborhood has come from an expressed interest from many in our community. Concern has been raised about parking and impact on the businesses.
FRIENDS, 5
Bruce Bennett asks to reimagine the front lawn with Ornamental Strawberries and Alpine Strawberries. Read more on page 2.
By Friends of Madison Park
The Center Square
Reimagining the front lawn
For the last column of 2024, rather than dealing with yet another holiday-related aspect of gardening, let’s take a look at my most received question this year. It was some form of: What can I do with/for my lawn? For some people, it was a matter of too much sunshine and increasing summertime brown lawns; for others, it was the impossible task of growing grass in the shade. It seems that everyone would love to have a sea of verdant green, healthy grass surrounding their abodes. What most don’t seem to realize is that showcase lawns require, not only the correct environmental growing conditions and correct variety of grass seed, but they also need a major investment of time and money to keep them looking good.
Many homeowners in the Pacific Northwest are now rethinking the idea of perfectly the manicured English lawns in favor of other alternatives to traditional turf; options which tend to require less water, less fertilizer, and very little maintenance time. There are a number of different looks which may be appealing, but before the design and replanting, a homeowner needs to determine what activities will take place in the area. Remember that some spots where the kiddos play, the pets roam or other heavy foot traffic is present may really need the resilience of grass, despite its drawbacks. But, for less traveled areas and visually significant locations, other, eco-friendlier and more colorful, possibilities are available. Reimagine a vignette in part the yard with different low ground covers. Some of the alternatives to look at include:
White Clover (Trifolium repens) is losing its reputation as an invasive weed because it works nicely as an evergreen lawn that has little white flowers and supports the area’s pollinators. As you can purchase it in seed form, it is rather inexpensive. It establishes quickly, requires very little water, and no fertilizer. As it takes nitrogen from the air, clover is actually good for fertilizing and improving the soil. If bees are a problem for you, there are microclovers that have smaller leaves and no flowers. Most types of clover are hardy in the northwest. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is becoming a popular choice for very sunny lawns. Small white flowers and their sweet scent are added-value components in early summer. Once established, creeping thyme is very hardy. The caveat is that it requires well-drained soil and will not last long in full shade or soggy conditions. Look for Corsican, Wooley and Elfin varieties as well as the ever-popular Red Creeping (Thymus praecox shown at left). Mosses are another group of
plants with a bad reputation. These plants are a natural in the PNW, many times to the consternation of homeowners. At some of my lectures, I even teach audiences how to quickly age the look of their concrete-paver walls and planting containers by quickly growing mosses. Irish and Scotch mosses are probably the most commonly cultivated of the family for Northwest gardens. Both are dependable plants that have the ability to create horizontal color spots or full, lush carpets (check out this picture of the Moss Garden at Bainbridge Island’s Bloedel Reserve). Naturally, the Irish Moss (Chondrus crispa) is green, but the Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata) has a nice golden hue to it. Both are covered with tiny, star shaped blooms in spring. Moss thrives in shade or cool sunlight; full morning sun is fine, but, intense afternoon sun is not well tolerated even when kept well-watered.
Ornamental Strawberries (Fragaria sps.) and Alpine Strawberries (F. vesca seen at left) produce shiny leaves and small pink or white flowers followed by non-edible strawberries. These tough little spreading plants grow nearly anywhere, but it might not be the best choice for moist, shady areas. Ornamental strawberries, with their white or pink flowers, can be slightly invasive, but the runners are easy to pull. The Alpines, with their edible fruit, tend to spread here and there by errant seeds and birds.
Creeping Wire Vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) consists of wiry stems covered with tiny, round leaves that transition to bronze tones as warm weather approaches. Summer also brings attractive little fruits. This hardy little plant tolerates poor soil and drought as long as the soil is well-drained.
Creeping Wire Vine may not be
the best choice for large lawns in the Northwest, but it works well in small spaces, along borders or on slopes and hillsides. In denser, grass-killing, shade under trees or the north side of a building, there are still plant other options that look great and provide visual stimulation during the wintertime. The easiest solution will be to forget about turf lawn. It will never look as you imagine. Instead, remove the remnants of the grass and add a couple of inches of bark mulch, arborist chips or gravel over the area. Then add some of the many shade-loving ground covers and small shrubs that can be planted in the ground or in colorful planted containers.
These are just a few of the low-growing lawn substitutes you could use to reinvigorate the look of your front yard. But, why stop there? If changes are going to be made, think about making some significant ones that can add excitement (and value) to the landscape. Consider adding small mounds to increase height in some areas of the yard. Add a combination of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and smaller trees that can add ever-changing visual winter interest and wildlife habitat. These actions can also help to obscure unsightly views or highlight areas which are always seen (such as the hohum walkway up to the front door). Yes, there are always costs involved with such projects. But, if you are willing to do the work yourself, more than half of the costs of a landscape project have already been saved. That’s sweat equity which can be seen from the very first day.
If you want other ideas and suggestions for lawn replacement plants, take a look at these local organizations: Great Plant Picks (www. greatplantpicks.org) is the main education program out of the University of Washington
Center for Urban Horticulture’s Elizabeth Miller Library. Fantastic gardening resource!
NW Flower & Garden Festival (www.gardenshow.com) is a weeklong event held each February and is the second largest garden show in the country. It has acres of display gardens, hundreds of plant, art and equipment vendors and the best seminar series of all gardening shows.
Master Gardeners of King County (https://extension. wsu.edu/king/gardening/) is the world’s first horticultural assistance program in the country. It is now in all states and in many other countries. Make use of their seasonal walk-up answer clinics, classes, Speakers Bureau and on-line information and assistance services.
This winter season is an excellent time to do your
research, reading and design sketches for next spring’s garden tasks. Think about removing just one patch of grass and adding plants that will provide you, the pollinators and other wildlife around you with a wide variety of year-round benefits. Until next year, dear readers…… Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy Gardening!
Contributing columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a 20-year veteran of the WSU Master Gardener Program, a lecturer and garden designer. If you have questions concerning this article, have a gardening question or two to ask concerning your own garden or simply want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@gmail.com.
Bruce Bennett
White clovers
PHOTOS: COURTESY PIXABAY.COM
Creeping Thyme
Magnolia Chorale presents ‘Fauré en Fete’
Magnolia Chorale presents “Fauré en Fete” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec.14 and Dec. 15.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Performances will take place at Magnolia Lutheran Church, 2414 - 31st Avenue West, Seattle.
Magnolia Chorale will present “Fauré en Fete” to celebrate Gabriel Fauré, a French composer whose choral works resonate with timeless beauty and subtle elegance. Artistic Director Joseph To, leads the two-concert series — which consists entirely of some of Faure’s most acclaimed pieces, accompanied by a chamber orchestra.
From the dramatic “Les Djinns,” to the serene “Cantique de Jean Racine,” to his transcendent Requiem, Fauré’s refined, lyrical style and harmonic innovation transport audiences on a journey of peace, hope, and solace.
Tickets are available at www.magnoliachorale. org and at the door. The Chorale will be collecting non-perishable food at both performances to donate to the Ballard Food Bank.
Magnolia Chorale, established in 1989, is a community-based, non-profit. organization that provides opportunities for singers to perform a variety of sacred and secular choral music. It is an independent organization and is not affiliated with Magnolia Lutheran Church (MLC), its programs, or missions. The Chorale is most grateful to MLC for its hospitality in hosting our concerts and to Magnolia United Church of Christ, also an independent organization, for hosting our rehearsals. Staff Report
Magnolia Chorale presents “Fauré en Fệte” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec.14 and Dec. 15.
The holiday season can be stressful for the average person
The average person takes advantage of the downtime during the holiday season. As long as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s have been celebrated, most people seize the opportunity to unwind, indulge, and participate in holiday cheer, especially with alcohol.
During prohibition years and in modern times, using alcohol to celebrate the holidays has never slowed. Yet, the general attitude towards moderation has changed as we better know the short and longterm health impacts of alcohol use; the average American adult is not drinking excessively daily, weekly or monthly.
Most people know alcohol is damaging to your mind and body. However, overindulgence is often encouraged during the holidays, and moderation and our knowledge of it conveniently no longer exists.
A big reason for this is that even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most individuals and families. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly nine in ten Americans say that concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones, and family conflict cause them stress during this time of year.
Unfortunately, close to two in five adults who experience stress during the holiday season said they use harmful coping mechanisms such as drugs and alcohol.
While most agree that the holiday season is a positive experience, we are often encouraged to manage stress by overindulging in things like alcohol, food, or even drugs, and this has never changed in our society. Advertising is geared to play on this; bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and alcohol suppliers know alcohol sales increase this time of year, and the messaging is simple, which is buy our product and celebrate the festive season.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 15.4% of Washington adults binge drink at least once per month. Binge-drinking adults in the state binge a median of 5.3 times monthly, and 25% of most active drinkers binge 6.8 times per month. Unfortunately, there is an average of 3,184 annual deaths in Washington attributed to excessive alcohol use. There are strategies and resources to help. For example, the Washington State Department of
Health and the Washington State Health Care Authority lists mental health and addiction support resources on its site. Alternatively, you can text or call 988, the crisis lifeline, to talk to someone.
During the holidays, pay attention to your feelings and develop a plan for when you are feeling stressed, sad, or lonely. Avoid alcohol and drugs; while this is easier said than done for some people, the holiday season presents challenges that can trigger the use of alcohol, for example. It’s wise to recognize these triggers and avoid alcohol. If you are struggling, focus on practicing self-care and remaining connected with your friends, family, or local community. Feelings can amplify for some people this time of year, making it necessary to support others. Attend your local faith community, support group, community centers,
or local meetups. Most importantly, know when to seek help. This can be especially important for anyone already struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health issues.
Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. While society tells
us to indulge in certain things and throw care and caution to the wind, we can choose not to listen. Focus on the more authentic meanings of the holiday season and encourage others to do the same.
Nickolaus Hayes is a healthcare professional
in the field of substance use and addiction recovery and is part of the editorial team at Drug Rehab Services. His primary focus is spreading awareness by educating individuals on the topics surrounding substance use.
Nickolaus Hayes
EVERGREEN HOLIDAYS
Awhile back, I spent part of the Holidays in Finland and Sweden with stops in Norway and Denmark. What amazed me was the elegant simplicity of the decorations in their homes.
A clear glass bottle holding a sprig of pine, tied with a small red bow, a bouquet of cedar boughs in an old crock, five or seven berried holly branches sprouting from a silver tea pot. Gone were the inflatables, the battery-operated Ho-Ho-Ho of a mechanical Santa, the metallic sheen of gaudy plastic ornaments crafted to look like glass. A single ornament that had the look of antiquity, or a perfect conifer cone, might rest atop a nest of spruce clippings, beside a hand carved and painted elf. And everything glowed with candlelight. I thought “This is how Christmas is supposed to look.”
I consider everything from Halloween to Saint Patrick’s Day to be part of our Northern Hemisphere’s Winter Festival. No matter one’s religious or philosophical orientation: Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s … whatever one believes, it all falls under that mantle of having faith that the quiet darkness and cold of winter is only a sleeping world, that will awake in spring. It is our job to supplement that slumber with a dream. What I saw in Scandinavia was that people used what was around them to conjure that dream. It looked beautiful, smelled wonderful, and it celebrated what they had, what they lived with, what they saw before them and cherished.
In our relatively mild Pacific Northwest climate, nature gives us an abundance of plant material, with which to create these homages to the season. To gather them
has a practical side. Few gardens are not in need of a bit of pruning. Collecting, sorting, preparing these bits of greenery is akin to a religious ritual. What you end up with will celebrate your own creativity and remind you of the abundance amidst which we all live. The arrangement you see pictured here robbed nothing from the garden: a branch of stiff dark emerald Yew, a soft green shoot of Crytomeria japonica, an Aspidistra leaf, some variegated Pittosporum, and the red berry clusters of Cotoneaster. Any of them could stand alone. Together they work in organic harmony.
Set aside a day. Go out into the garden with the kids or grandkids or school pals. Walk the garden, pruners in hand. Talk about what needs to come off to enhance the beauty of the plants. Snip the bits. Come inside and create a holiday arrangement. It will be a lesson in creativity, a bonding experience, a reinforcement of the ancient concept that nothing is more beautiful then nature.
Once collected, put these garden gleanings into a container filled with warm water. Strip all the foliage that would go under water from the stems. Make a fresh cut on each branch just as you put it in the water. Change the water every four to seven days. It helps to mist the foliage daily and, given a night that is not freezing, to put the assemblage outside overnight.
No suggestion here that there should not be blazing lights of the tree, or perhaps rings of tinsel around the cedar ropes that festoon the front door. No, this is America, after all. But spend some time this holiday season channeling your inner Scandinavian. Make it natural, make it simple, make it a memory that will be carried though a lifetime … make it a winter dream that will be passed on to future generations.
Wishing everyone the very best of this joyous time of year.
Tree Talk | by Steve Lorton
MARY HENRY
Magnolia Winterfest set for Dec. 7
Staff Report
Magnolia Winterfest will take place on the afternoon and evening of Dec. 7. Many events
FRIENDS
From page 1
Please know that Friends and SFMA have met with the businesses and had community meetings several times and individual conversations to listen to these concerns. Hopefully answers to many of these questions/concerns can
await, including special events, holiday arts and crafts, unique menus, tree lighting, caroling, photos with Santa, after-hours shopping, and so much more.
be found in the FAQ’s section of the Survey. Fill out the survey today and Friends will report the results to the community in December.
DECEMBER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
December is a month of many Holiday Activities in Madison Park.
Winterfest is also the kick-off of Magnolia’s Small Business Season! Celebrate by loving locally and purchasing gifts and products from Magnolia
by a Tree Lighting in the Park at 5 p.m. with students from McGilvra Elementary School singing in the Park. Check out the Artisan Market, the preschool and all our wonderful shops, the preschool Winter Wonderland, McGilvra’s Restaurant’s Ugly Holiday Sweater event and
From page 1
increasing at a concerning rate in the three areas.
The most notable incident recently came on Nov. 8, when Seattle police officers arrested a man after he allegedly stabbed five people in the ChinatownInternational District.
There were also a series of five similar stabbings in the area over the same 36 hours in which the mass stabbing occurred. Detectives are working to confirm if the five other stabbings are related.
Violence in the area continued Monday morning when police officers found a woman with a gunshot wound to the abdomen after a report of a burglary in the Chinatown-International District. The suspect fled the scene with stolen cash.
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District saw 225 reports of violent crime including three homicides through October 2024, according to the Seattle Police Department’s crime
dashboard. The downtown commercial area had 319 cases including one homicide through 10 months.
Crime is not exclusive to the Chinatown and downtown general area. In fact, Capitol Hill is the Seattle neighborhood with the highest reports of violent crime through October with 389, including three homicides.
Harrell’s executive order also includes two ordinances supporting the pilot program, which will be sent to the Seattle City Council. The dual pieces of legislation focus on reducing retail theft, facilitating ongoing maintenance operations, and providing additional support and protections for city employees that work to restore Seattle. According to the executive order, the Downtown Activation Team model may expand to even more neighborhoods if the pilot program reports more success in reducing crime.
merchants while enjoying meals and beverages at one of Magnolia’s many restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries. Winterfest makes supporting our small business
making class. Christmas Ships and Santa arrive on Dec. 21. Check out the posters and banner posted in the business area for more details.
WREATH MAKING CLASS
One of the special activities in December is the chance to create a one-of-a-kind Holiday Wreath on Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at Pioneer Hall. As she did last year, Nicole Morgan provides all natural materials and guidance to help you create your wreath.
Class is limited to 25 people so register now before the spaces are all filled- get a group of friends/office mates/ neighbors together for a morning of wreath making and treats. Bring a locks can child to help you if you’d like. You can register at https://www. friendsofmadisonpark.com/ holidays-in-madison-park.
Bruce Joseph Bailey passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on October 30th at the age of 77. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and cherished friend.
Bruce shared 54 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Laura Anne Evans Bailey. He was the son of Carrol “Buck” Bailey and Lemona McDaniel Bailey, both esteemed educators in Woodland, who instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for learning and community. Bruce and Laura raised their family on a farm just outside of Woodland where they were active members of the community. Especially with the Woodland Unified School District and the Willow Oak Volunteer Fire Department.
Bruce graduated from Chico State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management, followed by a Master of Science from the University of California, Davis, in International Agricultural Development and Plant Science. His education fueled his passion for agriculture and led to a distinguished career spanning over 50 years. His work took him around the globe, including significant time spent in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Africa.
Bruce’s dedication to agricultural development made a lasting impact on many communities. His work was guided by his belief in the universal connections of Family and Food. Bruce was committed to respecting local cultural and societal norms while creating solutions and opportunities from within those parameters for the small farmers he loved to work with. Never comfortable behind a desk, he thrived “Out in the field,” believing that time spent one-onone, listening and teaching, made the greatest and most lasting impact. His passionate mission was to bring hope and opportunity to small farmers in emerging economies.
community easy during this festive time.
Check https://discovermagnolia. org/winterfest/ for more information.
ONE SEATTLE PLAN
An updated draft of the One Seattle Plan has been released. There are a number of potential impacts in Madison Park; the business district can be developed into multi story buildings, a number of residential blocks can also will be shifted to low rise developments of 4 to 5 story multi-residential units. Go to “District 3” on this link and you can see our local zoning changes. https://one-seattleplan-zoning-implementationseattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/ pages/engagement.
Comment time only goes to Dec. 20.
LITTLE BEATS KIDS
CONCERTS
Don’t forget to get your tickets at only $5 each to bring your kids to see the following concerts at the Pioneer Hall on Saturdays from 11-12. https:// www.friendsofmadisonpark.
com/kids-concert-series for more details.
■ Dec. 7: Harmonica Pocket
■ Jan. 4: Esjay the Dragon Dreamer
MCGILVRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOURS
Considering where to send your child to Kindergarten next year? The McGilvra PTA invites you to come see our cherished neighborhood school! Our school provides a wonderful, supportive community for your child and your family and amazing learning opportunities with a strong social-emotional focus. Attend a presentation by school principal, Jolene Anderson, followed by parent-led tour to visit classrooms and see our teachers in action. Tours will be offered on Dec. 4, Jan. 10, and Jan. 24. For more details and to register, visit www.mcgilvrapta.org/visit.
Bruce Joseph Bailey
In 2009, Bruce and Laura relocated to Seattle, Washington. Knowing his neighbors and being an active participant in his community was a fundamental part of who he was. He supported the work of NatureBridge to connect youth with the environment and science, believed in the mission of Elizabeth Gregory Home to provide care for women facing obstacles to shelter and sustenance, stewarded the local wildlife Beaver Sanctuary, and drove to deliver weekend food supplies for un-housed children with Backpack Brigade. He believed profoundly in the work of The Red Badge Project, which cares for Veterans traveling the difficult journey of Post Traumatic Stress.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Laura Bailey; his children Karyl Alvord and her husband Elias Alvord, Gillian Bailey and Guido
son Evan Bailey and his wife Amanda Bailey, and youngest daughter Aubrey Bailey. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Elizabeth Alvord, Elias Alvord, Gioia Gerlitz, Brevet Bailey, and Nathaniel Bailey.
A public celebration of Bruce’s life will be held in the spring and announced by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributing to the organizations he so loved: The Red Badge Project, NatureBridge, Backpack Brigade or Elizabeth Gregory Home and give a big hug to those you love. Bruce will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him. We invite anyone who would like to share fond memories or stories of Bruce to visit and contribute to his memorial page: https://tb6.info/bb2024
Gerlitz,
As I write this, our area is recovering from a bomb cyclone storm—an intimidating name for an intimidating event. Around 7,650 households are currently without electricity, and that’s just in Seattle. The East Side was hit even harder—many people are facing multiple days without power (not to mention heat!). While Madison Park’s Emergency Hub didn’t activate (since here in Central Seattle we had minimal storm impact and phone and Internet service weren’t disrupted), I did think about the fact that our Hub might need to activate, in a similar situation, to help people share resources, and what that might look like.
Mostly, reflecting on the storm’s effects, I thought about what I’d personally need to gather up in my house if the power went out (mainly light sources, cell phone power banks, and wooly socks/slippers for cold feet).
I also thought about preparedness tasks I’ve considered doing but haven’t done yet. Like moving our headlamps from my camping bin to our bedside tables (more practical than flashlights for unexpected darkness). And that I really should charge up my backup phone backup charger (which was in my travel drawer; naturally for someone into prepping, I have two). And perhaps my emergency radio could also use a charge-up in preparation for winter storm season.
With these once-in-a-lifetime storms becoming more like onceevery-six-months, preparedness is not just something we can do for ourselves. Preparedness gear can make innovative holiday gifts for less prepped/more optimistic friends and relatives. In my opinion, this gear is important but doesn’t feel essential— elements that make for great gifts. And with preparedness, don’t worry if your giftees might already have some of these items: more is definitely more, since they can always store things in their car or at work, or “share their bounty” with less prepared neighbors. Given that it is nearly gift season, here are some gift suggestions to keep loved ones safe in power outages and other disasters. Many of them are quite technical, so useful gifts for gadget heads. Consider shopping locally for these items at Madison Park’s hardware store and pharmacy!
Emergency Prep Gift Suggestions FLASHLIGHTS THAT DOUBLE AS NIGHTLIGHTS
Easy to find, always charged up, and have a non-emergency function—what’s not to love? The American Red Cross–sponsored Blackout Buddy brand lights are plugged in throughout our house, but there are other alternatives, including one from Energizer.
Headlamps. I could write an ode to LED headlamps. Small, hands-free, inexpensive, and good for camping as well as emergencies. They come in cute colors, and even have fun straps! I even carry one in my purse, because you never know.
LED LANTERNS
A headlamp helps you find things in the dark, but what about living your “the power is out” life? My favorite power-outage activity (ok, I’ll be honest, it’s my favorite non-power-outage activity, too) is playing board games, and LED lanterns are perfect for getting your game on in the dark. Some brands are USB-rechargeable and don’t require batteries.
Power banks. Also called backup phone chargers. I have bought these items as gifts for different friends and
family members, since everyone can use them for travel or when away from home all day. I swear by my Anker brand charger: it gives hours of power, can charge two devices at once, and only needs a lightning cable to charge both my device and itself. (I use a rubber band to keep a small cable attached to my power bank.)
EMERGENCY RADIOS
The best radios have multiple functions: AM/FM/Weather radio, flashlight, device charging. I recommend buying one that includes a hand crank as a non-battery option. Powering it up can be tedious work (as my Hubmate Mary Beth says, it’s both “an arm workout and a charge!”) but when you’re desperate for cell phone minutes, it’s any port in a (literal) storm!
LARGE WATER CONTAINERS
Not a power outage need, but handy for emergencies like earthquakes that might render our local water supply sketchy. Since anyone can buy a case of water at the grocery store, I like the thoughtfulness of giving water supplies that are intended and reserved for emergencies. The 5-gallon containers I have are collapsible, BPA-free (so I don’t have to worry about deterioration), and include a spigot, so could be used for drinking or hand-washing, as needed.
REUSABLE COMMERCIAL
WATER BOTTLES
Another gift alternative is a case of water in aluminum cans or bottles (likely a more appealing gift for preparedness-minded friends; normal folks might raise an eyebrow). I’m a fan of aluminum bottles (I have a few cases of Open Water brand); they’re reusable (unlike conventional plastic bottles), which might matter during an emergency, since you will want to refill your water from safe water supplies and can’t easily carry a big drum of water several blocks. Cans and bottles are also light and will fit easily in a backpack. I much prefer this solution to conventional emergency water pouches, that you have to throw out after use.
AND BEFORE THE NEXT ONE…
Seattle City Light’s website offered some helpful tips on preparing for a storm. Two less intuitive tips: If you know a storm is headed your way, fill your gas tank or charge up your electric vehicle (EV).
Know how to open your garage door manually or place a vehicle outside of the garage for easy access in case you need to vacate the property.
Before the next storm hits, I recommend you bookmark Seattle City Light’s Outage Map web page (at seattle.gov/city-light/outages), as it shows all outages in the city and includes helpful estimates of when power might be restored.
As always, this column is part of Madison Park Emergency Hub’s outreach effort. We’re an all-volunteer org focused on neighbors helping neighbors in an emergency. If you’d like to get involved with a group of neighbors who want to help people and contemplate disasters, it’s a light lift AND a lot of fun. Mail us at madparkhub@gmail.com with questions or to get on our mailing list.
Dana Armstrong Madison Park Emergency Hub
COUNTING BLESSINGS
What truly portrayed Madison Park in the early 40s was Riley’s Café. It was a gathering place for wartime workers at Todd’s Shipyard in Kirkland before they caught the ferry. Many gathered outside due to the overcrowding inside and slurped the coffee from their saucers. Madison Street never had a solid block of cars unless cars lined up for the ferry. The lines stretched from the dock to beyond 41st. Cars had a special permit allowing more fuel for any added passengers. Some had 4 to 6 people, so the kids selling the morning PI and the Star Newspapers did well.
When the war ended, Riley’s closed, and the ferry eventually stopped running. The Madison Park bakery became the new gathering spot. In 1975, Leon Torrey bought Eggs Cetera from Wendell (remember Wendell’s Wonderful Omelet?), offering great breakfasts and a community table. Leon’s daughter, Wendy Morales (now the Fremont area’s owner of the Blue Star), took it over and eventually sold it to Guillem Bonzon (sp), who called it L’Apero. Marco Casas Beaux and Erin Gailey bought the Cactus from him in 1989, and they were the first owners of the Cactus. Theirs was picked as one of the top ten restaurants in all three newspapers that year and the concept lives on today.
During that time, school students walked through the alley between 42nd and 43rd. They walked by many dwellings that were garages converted into living quarters. Folks opened their spare rooms to those working at Todd’s Shipyards. After the war, many moved to be closer to Boeing and other newfound jobs. Some schoolmates left, but a few stayed.
Taverns and cocktail outlets closed at midnight on Saturdays and remained closed all day on Sundays. Unions also stopped the sale of meat, fish, and fowl on Sundays. To have a barbeque, we would drive to Juanita, which took an hour and a half round trip going 55 mph (520 was not an option then), where a butcher sold meat out the back door. The only hitch was that he was a socialist who asserted his views while he trimmed the fat. He was a great person, and some things he brought up made sense. There were choices if we were short on refreshments due to the closures: Bowling Ball Harry was a gentleman in a yellow cab who carried a bowling ball bag filled with pints of Four Roses bourbon — Sunday Special $10. Another beverage seller was a store south of the park, where cases of beer were sold out of the back door for $10.
Madison Park jetsetters headed to the
after-hours clubs in the 50s, especially after partying beyond the fun meter at the Red Onion and the Attic taverns. The first stop was in Chinatown at the Wah Mei Club, where there was a three-drink-at-a-time order; otherwise, the server would never be seen again. Showing your face to Hank, the manager, you were buzzed in to find the rest of Madison Park inside. In addition, the 605, owned by Bob Kivo, allowed booze if it was poured under the table, known as the brown bag law. China Gate and the Black and Tan were popular destinations with no particular booze laws.
Another hot spot for music and dancing was the Downbeat, where the performers played on a turning carousel. Two Garfield graduates, Dave Lewis and Quincy Jones, entertained for hours. Around midnight, many of us joined Dave, Quincy, and Bob Summerrise at the Black and Tan. Dave recorded a song called Little Green Thing, and Quincy Jones earned scholarships to Seattle University and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Of course, Quincy is known worldwide for his musical skills. Summerrise spun local rhythm and blues on a local radio station.
These clubs kept us entertained until the wee hours of the morning, but by the late ‘60s, our local bars began to stay open seven days a week. Sadly, the more intriguing clubs went by the wayside. Even Bowling Ball Harry went out of business. Tradewell, Safeway, and A & Ps began to stay open on Sundays, so there were no more trips to Juanita. I wonder what happened to that friendly, articulate butcher. Maybe we voted for him.
Once the big breakthrough law was passed, Madison Park restaurants allowed hard alcohol. Voila,’ along came Peters in the Park! Jody, cook extraordinaire, ushered in treats for the entire family, and we enjoyed our first-ever cocktail at a restaurant there. Many were apprehensive about how it would affect the character of the neighborhood. Never to fear; opening night was so huge it called for a second opening night. Peter’s made it fashionable for neighbors to meet neighbors and enjoy a meal or a handful of martinis.
Peter’s changed hands and became Manca’s, followed by Starbucks. Before that, a coffee cart in front of Bert’s Red Apple was trendy, making standing in the cold bearable. Enter Tully’s! It was the best because it had acoustics, like carpeting and soft music,
for good conversation. The tables seemed to designate themselves as Democrats, Republicans, women, and family groups. It was a great place to ease into the day--who needs added noise?
Best of all was the arrival of Bings Bodacious Burgers, owned by Stan and Laurie. You could almost call it another “Cheers” because the vibe was communal, inviting, and friendly, creating an authentic family atmosphere. The bar was filled with long-time neighborhood regulars and will be greatly missed.
As the sun sets further south, Madison Park residents can hoist a cocktail to another day in paradise, a neighborhood we can all enjoy.
Heather Krause receives RBC Wealth Management’s annual Gail Winslow Award
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 18, 2024 Heather Krause, branch director and financial advisor in RBC Wealth Management’s Edmonds, Wash., office, has been named the recipient of the firm’s 2024 Gail Winslow Award.
The annual award recognizes women at the firm who demonstrate exemplary efforts to help attract, support and retain women financial advisors, leaders and clients. Krause, who leads an allwomen team of financial professionals, received the award at the firm’s Women’s Association of Financial Advisors (WAFA) conference earlier this month.
Krause is a passionate coach and confidante in WAFA’s mentoring program and helps attract more women to the firm through her involvement in women-centric recruiting events. Her commitment to these initiatives demonstrates her dedication to diversity, inclusion and the advancement of women in finance.
“Mentorship and the importance of empowering women as leaders are concepts instilled in me by my mother since I can remember. She has positively demonstrated both and recruited me into this industry to continue that thoughtful leadership and legacy of support,” Krause said. “Fostering a true sense of belonging helps women find their own path − as clients, financial advisors and leaders.”
In addition to this crucial work, Krause helped raise over $65,000 during the 2024 RBC Race for the Kids benefitting The Boyer Children’s Clinic, a Seattle nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, funding research and supporting children with neuromuscular disorders or developmental delays.
“Heather’s commitment to creating an inclusive work environment and providing opportunities not only for the women of WAFA, but throughout RBC Wealth
Richard Carl Lehman Revisiting the Park
Committed to Community
Windermere’s Seattle agents and offices proudly support a diverse array of charitable organizations, demonstrating an enduring commitment to the well-being of our Seattle communities. Channeled through the Windermere Foundation, these contributions impact numerous causes, with a particular emphasis on aiding low-income and homeless families throughout the city.
ADAPTIVE AND INCLUSION MOVEMENT INITIATIVE AFRICAN HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT AMARA ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY ART FOR ALL
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SEATTLE AURORA COMMONS BACKPACK BRIGADE BALLARD ELKS LODGE BALLARD FOOD BANK BALLARD PERFORMING ARTS BENEFITS LAW CENTER BIKE WORKS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BALLARD BROADVIEW-THOMSON SCHOOL
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES-YOUTH TUTORING PROGRAM CITY FRUIT CKS PARENT CLUB COLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY ROOTS HOUSING COMPASS HOUSING ALLIANCE DANCE FREMONT DANIEL BAGLEY ELEMENTARY
DEARBORN PARK INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DENISE LOUIE EDUCATION CENTER DISCOVERY ELEMENTARY
DRESS FOR SUCCESS SEATTLE DUNLAP ELEMENTARY ECHO LAKE ELIZABETH GREGORY HOME FAMILY LAW CASA OF KING COUNTY
FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM @ RISING STAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FISHER FOUNDATION FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS OF JANE ADDAMS MUSIC FRIENDS OF TOPS GAGE ACADEMY OF ART GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS ON THE RUN OF PUGET SOUND GRAHAM HILL ELEMENTARY GREEN LAKE ELEMENTARY GROW NORTHWEST HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEATTLE-KING AND KITTITAS COUNTIES HIDDEN MANNA
HOMESIGHT/SAM SMITH FUND HUNGER INTERVENTION PROGRAM I CAN AND I WILL GUILD INVESTED INVEST IN YOUTH ISLANDWOOD
JANE ADDAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL JOHN HAY ELEMENTARY KIDS AND PAPER LAKESIDE SCHOOL LEVEL THE FIELD SPORTS LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE LOWELL SCHOOL LOYAL HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY MADRONA ELEMENTARY MAPLE ELEMENTARY
MARVIN THOMAS MEMORIAL MARY’S PLACE MCCLURE MIDDLE SCHOOL MCDONALD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MCGILVRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MEANY MIDDLE SCHOOL MOCKINGBIRD SOCIETY MORNINGSIDE ACADEMY MOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY CLUB MULTI-COMMUNITIES NAMI SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE NEW BEGINNINGS NORTH HELPLINE NORTHSHORE SENIOR CENTER NORTHWEST EDUCATION ACCESS NORTHWEST FAMILY LIFE NORTHWEST HOPE & HEALING NORTHWEST’S CHILD INC. OLYMPIC HILLS ELEMENTARY OUTDOORS FOR ALL FOUNDATION PAINTER PALS PEPS PHINNEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PIKE MARKET CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL PLYMOUTH HOUSING GROUP QUEEN ANNE ELEMENTARY QUEEN ANNE HELPLINE RAIN CITY ROCK CAMP RAINIER BEACH ACTION COALITION RAINIER VALLEY FOOD BANK RECOVERY CAFE REDHAWK THON REFUGEE WOMEN’S ALLIANCE
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF WESTERN WA & AK ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL SACAJAWEA ELEMENTARY SAFE CROSSINGS FOUNDATION
SAIL SAND POINT SANISLO ELEMENTARY SEATTLE COLLEGES FOUNDATION SEATTLE FASTPITCH CLUB SEATTLE HOUSING AND RESOURCE EFFORT
SEATTLE TENNIS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION SEATTLE WORLD SCHOOL SHORELINE COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL SHUNPIKE SOLID GROUND WA SOUTHEAST SEATTLE EDUCATION COALITION SOUTHEAST SEATTLE SCHOOLS FUNDRAISING ALLIANCE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF SEATTLE/KING COUNTY ST. FRANCIS HOUSE STEVENS ELEMENTARY SUMMIT COMMUNITY CENTER TAPROOT THEATER TEEN FEED THE CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING THE DOWNTOWN
RECIPIENT NON-PROFITS GIVING BACK TOGETHER All in, for our collective well-being.
We thank our Madison Park and Seattle neighbors for supporting the Windermere Foundation through the years. We wish you a New Year brimming with opportunity, community and collective generosity.
Back to office drives change to home sales
AEvan Wyman
s our sights turn to 2025, the Puget Sound region’s return-to-office mandates are an emerging trend in the housing market. In our neighborhood we expect to see home sales driven by employees who moved to the suburbs during the pandemic but are turned off by lengthy commutes as they end remote work. This presents a challenge for many buyers as both home prices and mortgage rates have risen considerably since the pandemic and in-city prices will continue to rise as urban areas see increased demand.
The good news for buyers is that compared to last year we have more homes on the market and a greater selection pointing to a more healthy balance between buyers and sellers.Year-overyear, brokers report increased showing activity — another sign of a resilient housing market in 2025. As always, we continue to see homes that are exceptionally prepped for market and
WYMAN, B6
Windermere
Windermere
What My Clients Are Saying...
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Laura and her team on the sale of a beloved family home from an estate. I cannot recommend Laura highly enough. Although the property was modest in size and in need of updates, Laura treated the listing with the same level of attention and professionalism she gives her multimillion-dollar listings. She made the entire process smooth and transparent, providing excellent communication, advice and guidance at every step. Her efforts led to multiple offers that were well above the list price. She’s a rare gem.” - Arnie Willig
Listed by Mary Snyder & Bob Bennion with COMPASS.
Listed by Wilcynski Partners with Windermere Midtown
Listed by Frances Costigan with COMPASS
Swimming
Ibelieve it was midway through my forties when I started to realize that Thanksgiving through New Years is not my time.
I reached a point where I no longer seemed to care much about “the holidays,” but my husband cares, and I care about him, and somehow, I manage to summon enough festive oomph to please him, which pleases me.
It’s not like I fall into a depression or anything. I get stirred up, is all, and a residual blue rises to the surface. To counter it, I make myself do all kinds of things that need doing. I clean out the fridge, above the fridge, under the fridge. I answer emails I’ve let sit. I sew on a button.
This behavior will continue right up through New Year’s Day. Which might seem excessive to some. But when you are peering through a blue lens, you don’t want to withdraw. Withdraw? Never. Do!
But all this doing, to me, is still a far less complicated test of my patience than trying to finagle a pie crust or stuff a bird. Actually, it has nothing to do with holiday rituals at all, but with nature’s. When every leaf has been stripped from the trees, I find myself imagining not a white Christmas, but the uncurling leaves of the first white trillium;
Lou Sanelli Falling Awake
that patch of white on a robin’s underbelly growing thick with eggs so that I wonder how on earth she can flit over the grass under the accumulated weight of herself.
LAP THERAPY
Luckily, we have our public pool that is everything I cannot take for granted about swimming in this part of the world in winter. As I ease into my laps, the reality of everything seems more distinct somehow. And I don’t mean just the beautiful things like a sudden burst of sunlight through the lobby windows or the younger swimmers with stomachs you could balance stemware on, but older bodies crammed into spandex and way too many sweaty men in the sauna at once.
I’m even able to think about my problems more positively. Not like a resolution to do better, just a steady sense that everything is moving along as it should, steadily, in keeping with my stroke. What exercise could be better than that?
The first time I ever watched a real swimmer was the first time I ever saw myself as a swimmer and thought, that’s how I want to feel, immersed. (I guess I’ve always liked my solitude.) I’d just watched Million Dollar Mermaid starring Ester Williams. My mother was mesmerized by Ester. I remember her collection of Ester one-pieces, a pink one, a polka dot one, one with little skirt around her bum. My father, on the other hand, lived 98 years without ever pulling on a bathing suit, as far as I know. I didn’t know how to express what I felt when I had the pool to myself after a lousy day at school, but I know now: I swam then, as I swim today, to free myself, to find myself, to feel capable, healthy, whole.
DIFFERENT STROKES
If I can’t get a lane to myself (there is an impressive number of swimmers at certain hours) there’s a woman I tread water with at the edge of the pool who has a lot to say about everything, and by that, I mean, everything she doesn’t like. We laugh, more comfortable in out floating personas than we will be later in the showers — another thing I love about swimming.
Another swimmer says little when we tread together. I get the feeling
Happy Holidays from
to get through winter
she is so comfortable with herself that she has no great need to converse. I tread close, but not too close. There was a time when I thought I’d never engage in chitchat at the pool, so I don’t know if it’s the close proximity of our halfnaked bodies, or the way we spend this time connecting without the use of technology, protecting our human need of recognizing and acknowledging each other, but I find myself sharing more about myself than I usually do.
To get there, I ride my bike, and once, on my way, I saw a huge owl. After skidding to a stop, there I stood, indifferent to everything else around me but that incredible owl. In that moment I was the most intrigued and the least afraid of any creature, ever, especially one that seemed to want only a better look at me while, at the same time, minding more than its own business. Much like my fellow swimmers.
If you don’t swim, there’s always the sauna where it’s rare that anyone speaks. Though recently I heard one man tell another not to fear AI. “Technology itself isn’t scary,” he said. “It’s that our media and politics are led by extremists, all citing our fear of technology for
Thank you to my wonderful Madison Park community,
their own purposes.” If a stranger’s message can infiltrate one’s soul, his infiltrated mine.
Honestly, I’m not sure how I’d do without swimming. Like reading under the covers or taking a long hot bath after a long cold walk, I can’t imagine facing winter without it.
I know the year will turn, February will whiz by, and the first fragile tulips will appear, which if you’ve ever held a tulip bulb in your hand you know they’re not fragile at all.
And, oh, just the thought of the season I love most (until hydrangeas bloom and then I love summer the most) does make me want to celebrate. I suppose I could at least look at the turkeys. I love food shopping: it’s something I’ve always enjoyed; it helps me feel part of the festive world.
I’ll stop by the grocery on my way home from the pool.
Mary Lou Sanelli's newest title, In So Many Words: Three Years, Two Months, One Me has been nominated for a 2025 Washington State Book Award. She also works as a speaker and a master dance teacher. For more information visit www.marylousanelli.com
As the holidays approach and the world of real estate slows a bit, I often use this time to not only plan for the coming year, but also to reflect on the past year and practice gratefulness. One of the things I am most grateful for is this wonderful Madison Park community that I am so fortunate to live and work in. It seems that I cannot walk into the grocery store or other businesses in our community without running into clients and friends and striking up a conversation. We are so fortunate to have such a small town feel in a relatively big city, something that is rarely found these days. I am so grateful to so many of you who have added so much to my life not just with your business but through your friendships and kindness.
This season I have also taken some time to sift through the many letters, cards and emails that my wonderful clients have written me throughout the years. It is easy to tuck these things away and to forget the wonderful things that people have shared over time, that bring so much meaning to this demanding career. This year I stumbled upon a handwritten note that I received from a client whose beautiful home I sold more than a decade ago. The note came in the mail, out of the blue, quite some time after selling this client’s property and after they had already written a testimonial. It simply reads:
“I was thinking of you this morning and could not come up with enough superlatives. You are the best real estate agent that we have ever met and one of the best people too.”
I have been fortunate to have a lot of nice testimonials over the years, but the fact that someone would take the time to hand write a card like this, well after already providing a lovely testimonial, means so much to me. I love what I do and I am grateful for another year of being able to help many of you as you embark on your real estate journeys. Thank you to my community. I wish you joy and gratefulness now and always..
Warm holiday wishes, Lisa Turnure
Mary
Seattle Public Utilities remains committed to glass recycling amid challenges
Submitted
On Nov. 7, Ardagh Glass Packaging, the major glass bottle manufacturer in the Seattle area, informed the Washington state government that it permanently closed its Seattle facility. This decision follows an earlier production pause in July 2024. Ardagh cited ongoing pressure from low-priced imports as a primary reason for their closure. This recently announced closure has created unprecedented challenges for glass recycling in Seattle and neighboring jurisdictions.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and recycling partners are working with service providers and stakeholders to identify new recycling markets for glass and other alternative solutions that align with contractual standards and commitment to sustainability. Businesses and residents in Seattle should still continue to put glass bottles and
containers in their recycling carts. Please make sure all recyclables are empty, clean, and dry to prevent contamination and increase the quality and value of recyclable materials.
In addition, SPU is taking these actions to address unprecedented market conditions
WYMAN
From page B1
strategically
for glass:
■ Regional Glass Recycling Roundtable: Seattle and King County have sponsored a Glass Recycling Roundtable with regional and national industry partners and municipalities that is meeting regularly to develop short- and long-term solutions for sustainable glass recycling.
■ Collaboration with Strategic Materials Inc.: Strategic Materials Inc. (SMI), a local glass processor that cleans and sorts glass into clean glass cullet from recycling programs in the region, including glass collected in Seattle, has continued operations. SMI is developing new customers and diversifying its end markets to meet changing demands. SMI is stockpiling clean glass as it secures new customers and is renting temporary storage space from SPU.
■ Support Glass Recycling Innovation: SPU is working with Seattle’s Office
Let’s take a look at the recent market stats in our area:
For Denny Blaine, Broadmoor, Washington/Madison Park
Aug. 15, 2023 through Dec. 15, 2023:
Sold Homes: 35
Average Sales Price: $2,188,506
Average Days on Market:46
Average Price Per Square Foot: $855
Lowest Sales Price: $570,000
Highest Sales Price: $ 4,770,000
Selling at 98% of original listed price
Worth note: 29 of these are $1M+ and the average market time over $1M is 40 days
Aug. 15, 2023 through Dec. 15, 2023:
Sold Homes: 31
Average Sales Price: $1,992,008
Average Days on Market: 38
Average Price Per Square Foot: $775
Lowest Sales Price: $475,000
Highest Sales Price: $6,000,000 Selling at 97% of original listed price
For 98112
Aug. 15, 2023 through Dec. 15, 2023:
Sold homes: 81
Average Sales Price: $1,762,726
Average Days on Market: 37
Average Price Per Square Foot: $701
Lowest Sales Price: $399,000
Highest Sales Price: $6,300,000
Selling at 99% of original listed price
Worth note: 57 of these are $1M+ and the average market time over $1M is 35 days
Aug. 15, 2023 through Dec. 15, 2023:
Sold homes:58
of Economic Development as well as the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and other regional and state Economic Development organizations to support further innovation and collaboration around glass alternative uses and end markets.
Despite current challenges, there is a strong demand for recycled glass nationally. SPU is working with regional partners to support and restore local recycling operations and markets.
SPU prioritizes the responsible management of garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste through comprehensive curbside pickup services across the city. In collaboration with public and private partners, we work to ensure that our operations meet community needs while maintaining safety, sustainability, and efficiency. Read more about SPU and recycling in Seattle.
Average Sales Price: $1,608,015
Average Days on Market: 34
Average Price Per Square Foot: $750
Lowest Sales Price: $252,500
Highest Sales Price: $6,000,000
Selling at 96% of original listed price
MY TAKEAWAYS:
■ • Our market year over year has improved during the same time period with an increase in both number of sales and average sale price.
■ The average days on market has been consistent and higher value homes do take a bit longer to sell.
■ We are starting to see buyers who moved farther from the city center during the pandemic, entering the market moving back near downtown.
■ In recent days, the market seems to have cooled a bit. Steady traffic but buyers taking their time to make decisions.
■ Rates came down for a very short time, but have increased and stalled the market a bit.
■ As a general rule, the homes that are turnkey and don't require any updates continue to be selling faster and more consistently than homes that need work.
■ It bears repeating that when planning to list your home, it pays off to spend time and resources to properly prep the home for sale. A small investment will result in a higher return for a seller.
■ Buyers should be prepared with pre approval, proof of funds and be ready to make an offer when they see a home that appeals to them.
■ All signs point to a healthy market when rates drop.
As of press time, there are 16 homes for sale over $2.5M in Madison Park, Washington Park, Broadmoor, and Denny Blaine. Two of the residences are condos, and the highest priced single-family home for sale remains a $40,000,000 home in 150+ feet of waterfront in Denny Blaine.
Call me to learn more about our Compass experts in 98112 who are ready to help you navigate this market to your advantage with the latest technology, top-notch marketing, and proven pricing strategies. If you’re buying, our knowledgeable and savvy agents will help you achieve success in 2025!
Evan Wyman, Broker/Partner
The Wyman Group @ COMPASS
Mental health and psychedelic science in Seattle
By Jenny Martin
Seattle is known as a place where people are willing to challenge the status quo. Willing to step outside of the way things are always done and invent brilliant new solutions to everyday problems.
One challenge that needs to be solved is the mental health crisis.
In uniquely Seattle fashion, we were the largest U.S. city to lead the way toward decriminalizing psychedelics for noncommercial use. This landmark mandate allowed researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine to study the therapeutic value of psilocybin mushrooms for depression, anxiety, and addiction. Governor Inslee's bill set the wheels in motion for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to help many people who could potentially benefit from this approach.
Seattle is benefiting from the renewed interest in psychedelics that New York Times journalist Michael Pollan helped facilitate several years ago with the publication of his book, “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.”
Pollan's book was made into a Netflix docuseries and is well worth the watch if you are curious about how psychedelics can improve mental well-being. There is much to explore here and lots of potential
to revolutionize the conventional approach to treating mental health issues.
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy might go a long way to addressing the current mental health crisis. But in forward-thinking Seattle, we need to think beyond the current crisis. We need to look at prevention. And if psychedelics are part of the answer, let's also examine the role of the body's natural psychedelics in mental wellness. Shouldn't research dollars be allocated to uncovering the connection between endogenous psychedelics and general mental
health?
Endogenous means within the body. Researchers have already documented that the most potent psychedelic known to science, DMT, exists within the human brain and body. Beyond knowing that it exists within us, little is known about its role in our daily existence.
DMT drug research does provide some clues, however ...
Researchers who have studied DMT as a drug report the role it plays in human perception. Study participants report positive lifechanging experiences after a single
DMT experience. Many who have experienced this substance describe a journey that feels like crossing a threshold into another dimension — one that transcends the boundaries of our physical existence. These experiences often provide insights into the nature of consciousness, the universe, and our connection to everything around us. DMT can evoke feelings of interconnectedness, love, and unity, often challenging our understanding of life and existence. It's not uncommon for a self-identified atheist to no longer identify as such after a DMT trip.
‘SPIRIT MOLECULE’
DMT is dubbed the “spirit molecule' because it seems to link us with another dimensional reality that is often described as more real than waking reality. While we may pass this off as a hallucination, those who have experienced this firsthand are often convinced it is more than that — and the subjective reports from research participants seem to reveal a consistent description of the "DMT world."
Back in 2019, a groundbreaking study by scientists at the University of Michigan revealed that the mammalian brain naturally produces large quantities of DMT (dimethyltryptamine) during physical death. We have yet to fully understand the role of DMT within us, but it is also linked to sleep and dreams, creativity, childbirth, plus as
mentioned, human perception and spiritual experiences.
This prompts the question: is it the DMT within us that aids us in the feeling of being spiritually connected? When we meditate or engage in spiritual practices, are we boosting our natural DMT? These questions are relevant to those working in mental health, as spirituality increases psychological well-being.
RESEARCH NEEDED
For us to understand the significance of DMT within the human body we need more research. As a psychedelic drug, DMT catalyzes personal transformation, leading to healing, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of life's mysteries. How empowering would it be to discover more about DMT in the human body and then educate people to access this wonder medicine themselves?
The pharmacy that we need for our mental well-being and spiritual connection is potentially right within us. Although the capitalistic model of medicine doesn't necessarily support this type of initiative, in Seattle, we think outside of the box, and it's important that we do so. It's time we find sustainable ways to support public health and well-being long-term.
Jenny Martin is a resident of Madison Park and blogs on Substack @drjennymartin.
Fasse Sales Broker
Chris Sudore President/Founder
Megan Bassetti Marketing
Andrea Whitehall Sales Broker
