Partying requires work -- in a sunny Cal Anderson (Photo: cap to the hill)

Because they are wayward youth, they're not awake yet to read this but the kids from cap to the hill have a busy day ahead. Tonight is their 500 Pine Party to remember and celebrate the, as the children say, more skanky elements of Capitol Hill culture.

If you are asking, 'Why the hype?' all that CHS can offer is that many on the Hill have a sense of loss about supposed grittier, more real times. It might be the same feeling as remembering how we used to be better friends. Or maybe something really has gone away. The buildings were torn down and the lot is empty.

But another lot will be full. The parking lot behind Havana at 10th and Pike hosts tonight's event. It begins at 8 PM. More than 400 revelers are expected. It's the same lot where people power mayoral candidate Mike McGinn held court on Election Night.

cap to the hill is busy working today with friends and volunteers to transform the lot into a 500 Pine replica. They also had $10,000 to spend thanks to the marketing effort and corporate sponsor backing the event. They asked us to invite you to stop by today to check out the preparations. More details here about getting into the party, etc. It's free. But you have to have a ticket or an invite. If you waited this long, you'd better do something extra special to earn your pass.

(Photo: Lucas Anderson/Neighborlogs.com)

Wednesday night's early design guidance meeting for the redevelopment of the Sun Electric building at 11th and Pine will be the first public test of the developer's plans and the new environment for development in the area created by the Pike/Pine Conservation District.

If it happens. A rumor making the rounds says Wednesday night's meeting may be postponed. We're digging into it, of course. In the meantime, here is what is at stake.

UPDATE: Rumor dismissed. Lisa Rutzick of the city's Department of Planning and Development says the meeting is on and the rumor is false.

Project: 1530 11th Ave   map

Design Proposal available (6.00 MB)

Review Meeting:	6:30 PM
	Seattle Vocational Institute map
	2120 S Jackson St
	102/103
Review Phase:	EDG--Early Design Guidance past reviews
Project Number:	3010451 permit status | notice
Planner:	Lisa Rutzick

Here is recent CHS coverage of the project:

• Document reveals developer's plans to reshape 11th at Pine
• Driver of new Pike/Pine development zone weighs in on project that will put rules to test
• Zoning changes to preserve Pike/Pine, open up First Hill development move forward
• Liz Dunn commentary on the project's review process:

I think it’s imperative that as  many folks turn up as possible for this.  I have heard that the owner intends to keep the existing structure and build on top, to get the density bonus.   This is great only IF this is done in an architecturally appropriate way.   I think we need to be very careful and very vocal about this, based on other examples we have seen.

Finally, here's the part of the municipal code that defines the early design guidance process and purpose. We'll see what concerns get 'identified' tonight.

A. A preapplication conference is required for all projects subject to design review, unless waived by the Director, as described at Section 23.76.008.

B. Early Design Guidance Public Meeting.

1. Following a preapplication conference, and site visits by Design Review Board members assigned to review a proposed project, an early design guidance public meeting with the Design Review Board shall be held.

2. The purpose of the early design guidance public meeting shall be to identify concerns about the site and the proposed project, review the design guidelines applicable to the site, determine neighborhood priorities among the design guidelines, and explore design concepts and/or options.

3. At the early design guidance public meeting, the project proponents shall present the following information:

a. An initial site analysis addressing site opportunities and constraints, the use of all adjacent buildings, and the zoning of the site and adjacent properties; and

b. A drawing of existing site conditions, indicating topography of the site and the location of structures and prominent landscape elements on or abutting the site (including but not limited to all trees six (6) inches or greater in diameter measured four and one half (4 1/2) feet above the ground, with species indicated); and

c. Photos showing the facades of adjacent development, trees on the site, general streetscape character and territorial or other views from the site, if any; and

d. A zoning envelope study which includes a perspective drawing; and

e. A description of the proponent's objectives with regard to site development.

4. The proponent is encouraged, but not required, to bring one (1) or more development concepts or alternatives to indicate possible design options for the site.

C. Guidelines Priorities.

1. Based on the concerns expressed at the early design guidance public meeting or in writing to the Design Review Board, the Board shall identify any guidelines that may not be applicable to the site and identify those guidelines of highest priority to the neighborhood. The Board shall incorporate any community consensus regarding design, expressed at the meeting into its guideline priorities, to the extent the consensus is consistent with the design guidelines and reasonable in light of the facts of the proposed development.

2. The Director shall distribute a copy of the guideline priorities applicable to the development to all those who attended the early design guidance public meeting, to those who sent in comments or otherwise requested notification, and to the project proponent.

3. The project proponent is encouraged to meet with the Board and the public for early resolution of design issues, and may hold additional optional meetings with the public or the Board. The Director may require the proponent to meet with the Board if the Director believes that such a meeting may help to resolve design issues.

• Elysian is hosting a fundraiser and debuting its Reunion Ale.  Pete’s Wicked Ale founder Pete Slosberg, Alan Shapiro of SBS Imports and the Elysian Brewers will kick-off this years benefit beer for the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research.  Reunion ’09 is a Double Wheat Ale, 7.5% alcohol by volume, hazy-golden in color with citrus notes.  $5 will buy you the tasting glass and all proceeeds from sales of the tasting glass as well as all profits from Reunion Ale sales will go to benefit the Institute.  This event takes place at the Elysian on Capitol Hill today August 18 at 5 pm.
• The Canterbury is also hosting a cancer benefit.  In the inimitable words of the event organizer, "Come out and kick cancer in the nuts".  Activities will consist of trivia ($5 per person - maximum of 6 per team) and a Foosbally Tourney.  Trivia begins at 7:30 and the Foosball Tourney will commence immediately afterwards. 
• Finally, Mayoral aspirant Mike McGinn is hosting an election night party at Havana tonight (party starts...

A Picture for dreaming over
Originally uploaded by sonek321

With the pavement laid on the Capitol Hill light rail station construction site and the empty lot about to go unused for the next three months, CHS asked Brooke Belman, a community-outreach program manager for Sound Transit, how community members might work with the agency to activate the space.

Belman said Sound Transit is again working to coordinate artworks for the space similar to the program they created for the empty buildings in the area on Broadway prior to demolition. She also says Sound Transit is looking to work with people in the community to put the space to use:

Our original thought was to use the site for a groundbreaking/community celebration, which is what we talked to you about a couple of weeks ago. As we got closer to the site actually being paved, more interest has grown about using the space and we’ve had some good ideas come our way – like the skate party. Other ideas have been using our art program sort of like we did when we had the vacant buildings (same idea, but different concept given the space) and/or showing films.

If you are starting to brainstorm events and uses you'd like to see in the three-acre space (roller skate party for Ref 71?), Belman has some good news. One, your idea can involve power -- electrical power. And, two, ST is looking for ideas:

We did direct our last contractor to provide some power sources so that we’ll have some flexibility on what we can do with the site. We’re interested in hearing specific ideas that the community has. We might have some issues around specific ideas, but we’re game to hearing ideas and seeing where we can meet.

Sound Transit offered the following guidelines to shape any ideas:

• Non-Sound Transit sponsored event – If a private entity wanted to hold a non-commercial event, they would need to be in a position to organize and hold an event and be able to provide liability insurance.
• Sound Transit sponsored community event – If a good idea emerges and there is a group who can help define and organize the event, Sound Transit would be willing to work them.
• No alcohol, no commercial use and a mindful eye on how public funds are spent towards a community event

There's the empty lot. Here's the framework. Fill it up.

If you'd rather not think out loud and want to contact Brooke Belman directly, here's her address belmanb at soundtransit.org

With Election Day on Tuesday, most of us (King County received ballot stats) still haven't marked our 2009 primary ballot and most of us can probably use a little advice when it comes to things like Port Commissioners. Here are a few resources to help us out.

• CHS 2009 primary open endorsement thread
• 43rd District Democrats endorsements
• The Stranger endorsements
• King County Elections official site: voter pamphlets, candidate videos and ballot tracker
• Nearest drop-box locations

In the spirit of the panhandling Cookie Monster, this gentleman was encountered in lower Pike/Pine Saturday night by Twitter user Don Le.

"Spotted this character in Capitol hill in front of hot mama's pizza" (Photo: Don Le - Twitpic)

Peter? Jack? Eddie? Little Bunny Foo Foo? Harvey?

One or two are good times. A dozen or so from Pike/Pine to Broadway would be annoying so, please, costumed panhandlers, continue to show your good judgement and discretion.

(Also, sad we haven't written about Hot Mama's more but what more can we say about reliable, pretty much always available slices!)

Photo: Chris Kollar

Sunday nights, St. Mark's hosts a free organ concert after the weekly performance by the Compline Choir. Here's the Facebook event invite from musician Chris Kollar:

I will be performing a little over a half hour of some mean, old school Bach on the dutch inspired pipe organ (The Beast) in the balcony of the cathedral. The music will begin immediately following the weekly Compline choir performance. The Compline choir performs a service of chant and has become somewhat of a phenomenon(since its inception in 1956) with upwards of 500 people in attendance weekly. It is also broadcast live on 98.1fm and has its own podcast however, the organ recitals are not so you have to show up!

Most of the people that come are either students from the area or young people in their early 20's. It is very informal and meditative and most people prefer to sit or lay on the floor of the cathedral to soak in the reverberations. The organ here is one of the most unique and greatest instruments in the northwest. It stands 4 stories tall and was entirely handbuilt according to methods used to construct the cathedral organs of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. It houses about 4500 pipes in an enclosed case only a couple of feet in depth. It is a blast to play and a fun experience to see/hear so I hope everyone can come! Like I said before, the entire shabang is very informal so come with a friend and don't worry about attire. Compline starts promptly at 9:30 so getting there 10 minutes before wouldnt be a bad idea.

We missed this news regarding the Compline Choir -- the choir has a new director as founder Peter Hallock has stepped down after 53 years leading the group.

Peter R. Hallock, Founder and Director of the Compline Choir since 1956, announces his retirement. Hallock, who will celebrate his 85th birthday in November, said that a recent car accident caused him to question the wisdom of driving to Seattle and back every Sunday night. The choir and its board of directors, acting on Hallock's recommendation, have named Jason Allen Anderson, age 32, as the group's next director. Anderson, a member of the Choir since 2004, is Associate for Liturgical Arts and Youth Formation at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Issaquah, Washington. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting degree from the University of Washington in 2007. His dissertation, "The Life and Works of Peter R. Hallock (b. 1924)," was the first academic study of Hallock's life and music.

Sounds Outside takes place tomorrow August 15 at Cal Anderson.  Sounds Outside is a free outdoor music festival that takes place in July and August each year at Cal Anderson. It features jazz, world and adventurous music.  Tomorrow's lineup features the following:

• 1:00 pm Melbatones
• 2:30 pm Figeater
• 4:00 pm Greg Sinibaldi
• 5:30 pm Syncopated Tainted Horn Quartet
• 7:00 pm Bert Wilson

Don't forget to check the CHS Events section for other weekend options (and feel free to add your event).

King 5 news is currently featuring Hallie Kuperman, owner of the Century Ballroom, as one of its Home Team Heroes.

"SEATTLE - She is considered by many to be The Face of social dancing in Seattle. Hallie Kuperman says she got sucked into what she describes as the abyss of swing more than 20 years ago. It's an addictive type of feeling, she says, that tells you there is nothing else in this world you want to do but dance...."

See the story and video here.

*Home Team Heroes are chosen via public nomination on the King 5 website.

Editor's note:
Check out Seadevi's comment. 10-year lease? Wow!

Blitz improvised poster - detail
Originally uploaded by akiramorita

August 13 will be the 2nd Thursday of the month, and Capitol Hill readies itself to Blitz. Grab a full venue list at http://blitzcapitolhill.com/

As in previous months, if you are seeking company, Blitz participants will gather at the Seattle Central Community College Plaza between 6 and 6:30 PM.  Some highlights from August 09 Blitz include:

o Arbitrary Art Grant in Art Dealing (happening at the People's Parking Lot) - Marination Mobile plans to be there as well.

o Tomoko Briggs at Snowmonkey's House of Monsters (by way of Bluebird Ice Cream & Tea Parlor)

August 13th - Snowmonkey's House of Monsters - Tomoko Brigss
Originally uploaded by blitzcapitolhill

o Michael Rioux portraits at Porchlight Coffee

August 13th - Porchlight Coffee
Originally uploaded by blitzcapitolhill

o Digital Kitchen artists at Vermillion

August 13th - Vermillion -Digital Kitchen
Originally uploaded by blitzcapitolhill

The empty, gravel lot that has become a symbol of changing Capitol Hill and Hill activism will be home to two rather interesting developments that don't involve design reviews, setbacks, or floor area ratios:

First, the lot will host a temporary art gallery where one accidental artist will receive $500 for sharing a work of art:

They tore the heart of Capitol Hill out and replaced it with a parking lot. The great comedy of greed. But this Thursday we are going to create a new gallery on that block, lay down a hundred and fifty feet of white rope, define an entrance and call it home. It is our 2009 Arbitrary Art Grant for Art Dealing, and we invite you to strap on a painting, a photograph, some 2-D piece of art- around your neck like a big Flav necklace. Hell, put a price tag on it. And step on this white rope. With enough people, your bodies will become the walls, and for an hour, pedestrians can stroll into this temporary structure and view a selection of poorly curated work (one thing at a time, alright?) Artists-...

In city living, a mile can mean a real difference in micro neighborhood flavor and vibe.

A few months ago I moved within the Capitol Hill neighborhood, a distance of just over a mile. Both micro 'hoods are on the hill, both are similarly close to Cal Anderson Park and the future light rail station. Both are eclectic and open-minded. Both are fine residential neighborhoods. Yet, there's something in the details. Kids, dogs. Blackberries, figs. Cityscape, sunset. Mad Market, Top Pot.  Here's my move:

 And  how the micro 'hoods compare:

I like both neighborhoods for different reasons. It is easier to get home to Mad Market from a night of socializing in Pike/Pine area. Pho noodles are cheap and plentiful on north end of Broadway. Worse street maintenance in Top Pot, better sidewalks in Mad Market.  Mad Market wins for happy hour, Top Pot wins for brunch.   Top Pot is quieter, Mad Market is lively.

Which is the better micro 'hood? It depends. Are you a night owl or a lark? Do you prefer strawberry or chocolate? 

It's an old story, but a very real one--a cat that ran away as its owners were moving, and has now returned to meow pitifully from the shrubbery at people walking past 15th Avenue East and Aloha. Yesterday, three neighbors congregated to see what the source of the meowing was, and what could be done. I was one, and offered to help get the news out to CHS readers.

Neighbor Toni has been leaving food and water out for the kitty, so that it won't starve, but it's clearly not safe for a house cat to be out on the street like this. If anyone would like to adopt the cat and give it a new home, Toni asks you to please contact her at three two two, twelve ninety-one.

You'd also be improving the life of a cat next door, who has food allergies but nonetheless insists on eating the food Toni leaves out and develops itchy rashes that make him miserable. And besides, who can say no to a face like that?

Mixing experiments in online news and information with politics is risky but somebody has to try something new. So, we try.

The purpose of this thread is for registered CHS users to make their endorsement pitches for Seattle and King County's 2009 primary election. If the spirit grabs you, tell us who we should vote for and, briefly, why.

If you are not registered, you may create an account to participate. If you already have an account, please log in.

The Seattle Planning Commission and Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee want your feedback about the current status of your neighborhood plan and the changes that have taken place since the plan was adopted.

In brief:

• City had in-person meetings to gather neighborhood plan info (see Comrade Bunny's report)
• they now have an online survey to gather more of that information. Do it by the 12th! See this CD News link.
• Here are some links to background information.
• They've agreed to have another in-person meeting for the Central Area and will welcome Capitol Hill and Pike-Pine representatives. Place and date (before Sept. 10) to be determined.

I encourage you all to fill out the survey and to come to the meeting.

A neighbor reports:

The virtual meeting deal is picking up steam. The Planning commission got a big bunch from Ballard, and last count was over 450 citywide (compared to just under 300 at the actual meetings). What this means is that the City will have more to work with from the neighborhoods that speak up and...

Too late to register to play but plenty of time to organize your fellow athletic supporters for Saturday's big game.

“Shirts vs. Shorts, what the hell is that?”…It’s a soccer game, in the heart of Capitol Hill, in the middle of summer, where you can either wear a shirt, or you can wear shorts, but you can’t wear both. Team Shirts team can wear normal underwear, jocks, thongs (whatever, as long as it shows off some skin and is decent), likewise for Team Shorts. To keep things from getting out of hand, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be on hand to officiate the match as well in addition to be your “Touch Judges” and “Cheerleaders”.

This is event will allow Rain City Soccer Club to help raise funds to donate to Lifelong AIDS Alliance and take up a wish list collection for the Lambert House.

Allow CHS to be the 10,000th to make this joke. Remember, in soccer, you can't use your hands. Also, here's a slideshow from last year's action courtesy of CHS's own SeattleBrad

The $10,000 party being organized by contest-winning bloggers cap to the hill has a home: the conveniently located Havana parking lot on Pike.

It's spitting distance from the offices of Creature, the ad agency that conceived of the game to give away 10,000 bucks for somebody to throw a party so the results can be filmed as a marketing stunt for a backpack company. Here's the Facebook invite for the big to-do. Festivities begin at 8 PM on August 20.

Cap to the hill, in the meantime, is looking for interesting stuff to decorate the party with:

Dead TV Nº 14: A Two-fer!
Originally uploaded by arion»

you wanna help with our party? great, cause we needs it.

 we are looking for just about anything you want to donate to us to help put our vision in action….

is you have paintbrushes, tarps, power tools, couches, chair, board games, x-mas lights, lamps. rugs, tvs, costumes, mirrors, windows, umbrellas, posters, plants….pretty much anything you want to give away and not see just being dumped forever PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email us at captothehill@gmail.com and we will come pick up whatever you want to give us-this week!!!

we are working hard to create an amazing space but we’re also trying to utilize second hand items to keep everything earth friendly (and pocket friendly…10k ain’t that much!)

we’d love ya so. donate and that obv secures a spot on the list!

thanks kiddos! spread the word!

Matt Hickey has given the Capitol Hill Internet many things. Today, he has given again.

Can't say CHS agrees on the 'Ew' -- to each Legend of Zelda superfan his own -- but we do agree that this update of the Capitol Hillebrity is notable. Next, Boe the Scarf Dancer goes tartan, Slats gets a new hat, the 15th Ave flute guy buys an oboe.

Photo: Matt Hickey

Perhaps you saw them scattered about the hill last year, parking spaces transformed into small parks for a day in September.  I saw one if front of Rudy's and Stumptown; Unpaving Paradise set up on Broadway.  What was the occasion, I wondered?

Turns out it was Park(ing) Day.  Created in 2005 by the San Francisco Art and Design Collective Rebar, in response to a dearth of public spaces in their city, Park(ing) Day is now an international event.  This year, on September 18, folks from Brisbane to New York City, from Los Angeles to Florence, will transform spaces normally reserved for automobiles into parks.

Everyone and anyone is invited to participate, whether you're a landscape architect, hairstylist, visual artist, an accountant or barista: it doesn't matter.  No professional status as a designer, urbanist, or activist is required.

Want to learn more about the event?  Feet First, the pedestrian advocacy group and Seattle organizer of Park(ing) Day, is hosting a training and informational...

As streets across the city were filled with neighbors celebrating National Night Out, a short stretch of Capitol Hill pavement between Olive and Bellevue became a public gathering place, bbq picnic area and music venue. Have pictures from a street party in your part of Capitol Hill? Leave a comment.

This classified of the week is about more important things than showcasing CHS features. Rosie has been missing since Monday. If you've seen her, you can contact the owner via this Lost & Found notice:

What happens when city government tries to:

1. Gather feedback from a neighborhood dominated by mobile apartment dwellers
2. Cleve an area into government defined geographies
3. Prioritize a process that City Hall itself has for the most part de-emphasized over the years

?

Hi Pike/Pine Neighborhood Folks,

 

We have had very little participation from the Pike/Pine Community on this so we are hoping you can get the word out.  No one attended the meeting and breakout session for the Pike/Pine neighborhood. 

We understand that people in your community have been very engaged in the Overlay work but please take a moment to answer the questionnaire yourself and pass it  on to your various lists, list serves, blogs, friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers,  etc.  We are really working on making sure Pike/Pine is represented.

 

Your assistance is most appreciated. 

 

Thanks!!! 

Barb Wilson, Director
Seattle Planning Commission

'This' is the neighborhood plan update process we told you about recently -- Vision for development: 9 strategies to drive what comes next on Capitol Hill. And, despite CHS's attempt to put the whole thing in the most digestible, interesting context possible, your apathy isn't surprising. If the neighborhood plans are so important, why does the attention on their update now feel like a panicked flurry of attention?

Other neighborhoods, Wilson tells us, do seem to care. Or, at least, care more than Pike/Pine. Here's a handy bar chart the city has provided to help you measure your apathy.

Apathetic to the right, all hot and bothered to the left

There are 4 Pike/Pine responses on the online survey about the status updates so far, according to the city. Or are there? Here's the first question of the survey:

Seems possible a few Pike/Piners might have selected the home they most identify with -- Capitol Hill -- vs. the government issued geographic designation. The rest of the survey includes questions like this:

Ponder those check boxes for awhile. If you'd like to weigh in on the topics, here is a direct link to the survey. For more on the process and to review the neighborhood status reports (think of them as rough drafts for the plan updates), go here: http://www.cityofseattle.net/planningcommission/

Unpaving Paradise, Cafe Metropolitan, Capitol HIll Community Council, The Crescent Lounge and City Market are all co-sponsoring Chill-N-Grill, a block party that happens on East Howell between Olive and Bellevue.  In past years, this same event has been called the Olive-Howell Street Block Party.  Chill-N-Grill on the Hill is a part of National Night Out to encourage communities to reclaim their streets.  I stopped by this block party last year and it was quite fun.  Because there is an incline, many have a good view of the bands.  This year, music will be provided by Mighty Tiger, Eagle Seagull, Norey, Viva la Villain and The Autumn Electric. There may be other parties on the Hill closer to where you live.  We know that neighbors are getting together on 11th Avenue between Harrison and Thomas (thanks Michael Seiwerath for letting us know about it).  If you know of a party, please let us know in the comments.

Keeping cool at the Cal Andersen Wading Pool

Dodgeball on a hot summer night

The Planning Commission wants to hear from you about the status of our neighborhood plans, and what's happened since the plans were adopted in 1998. They had a meeting for Capitol Hill and Pike-Pine a while ago. If you missed it, you can take part in a "Virtual Meeting", by going to http://www.cityofseattle.net/planningcommission/, where you can watch a video introduction, read the draft status reports for your neighborhood, and then answer the same questions that the participants in the actual live sessions answered. You've got till Wednesday, August 12th to do so. 

BTW, many of us couldn't make the meeting for the Central Area (conflict with election forum) AND thought that the Central Area, Pike-Pine, Capitol Hill, Madison-Miller & 12th Avenue areas should have been considered together. We're asking for a "make-up session" for all those neighborhoods in the next couple of weeks. You can weigh in on that by E-mailing Barbara E. Wilson, Planning Commision Director, barb.wilson@seattle.gov<...