Street signs mark a Central District legacy on the new D’Vonne Pickett Jr. Way

De’Auzjanae Pickett

A portion of E Union linking two important corners in the Central District’s history and community has a new name.

New honorary street signs have gone up marking D’Vonne Pickett Jr. Way.

At a ceremony marking the new honorary designation, De’Auzjanae Pickett said it was a fitting way to remember her brother.

“As you guys all know, this block, this scene as a whole, played a major role in D’Vonne’s upbringing and who he was and who he is and where his legacy will continue to go,” she said.

This week, loved ones and family were joined by Mayor Bruce Harrell, and City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda at a ceremony marking the installation of the new honorary street signs joining the existing E Union signage just west of 23rd and Union, the Liberty Bank Building, and Midtown Square.

“Even as we mourn the tragedy of his loss, we know that his legacy will live on forever in the hearts of those who he inspired, especially the many young people he mentored as they become the future leaders of this city,” Harrell said. Continue reading

Public memorial for D’Vonne Pickett to be held at Climate Pledge Arena

A memorial to mark the life of D’Vonne Pickett, Jr. will be held Thursday morning at Climate Pledge Arena.

The public memorial service honoring Pickett’s life is slated to begin at 11 AM.

Pickett was gunned down last month outside The Postman, the mailing services shop he opened with his wife KeAnna Pickett in 2018 at MLK and Union. The father, business owner, and youth football coach was 31. Continue reading

Sam’s Tavern helping to raise $100K for survivors of domestic violence after bartender’s fatal shooting

Sam’s Tavern is hoping to help raise $100,000 to help survivors of domestic violence in memory of Anna “Maxx” Lopez, the 26-year-old shot and killed earlier this month by her estranged husband during her bartending shift at the Bellevue location of the Capitol Hill-born chain.

“While her death is sudden and unspeakably tragic, we would like to embrace that intrepid smile of hers to inspire the change that she would have liked to see in the world,” a message on the fundraiser page set up to honor Lopez reads. “If it is time to have an uncomfortable discussion about domestic violence, we would like to give Maxx the opportunity to help start that discussion.”

Proceeds from the effort will benefit LifeWire, a King County provider of housing, mental health, and legal services for survivors of domestic violence. Continue reading

Art plan taking shape for AIDS Memorial Pathway that will connect Capitol Hill Station development to Cal Anderson Park

A lead artist has been selected and the “master art plan” for the project has been created. March brings opportunities for some early looks at the vision for the AIDS Memorial Pathway project connecting Capitol Hill Station development to Cal Anderson Park.

“Destined to become one of the most significant public art installations in the region, the AMP will use public art to create a physical place for remembrance and reflection; utilize technology to share stories about the epidemic and the diverse community responses to the crisis; and provide a call to action to end HIV/AIDS, stigma, and discrimination,” organizers from the Atlas Obscura Society Seattle write about the coming pathway and a tour they are planning to preview the site with project manager Jason Plourde.

Making A Memorial

Last August, CHS reported on the selection of social practice artist Horatio Hung-Yan Law to lead the project’s artistic vision. ” I create work for regular people that examines issues of identity, memory, history and the meaning of community. As a public artist who is interested in socially engaged work, I value collaboration and partnership with community members through collecting ideas, cultural materials, and engaging residents in planning and production of public art,” Law said at the time. Continue reading

Community remembers man struck by motorist, calls for safer streets during memorial walk across Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill residents, activists, and their dogs took a walk on Sunday carrying signs with a photograph of Max Richards who died after being struck by a motorist on September 21.

“To feel that the community is concerned is very special,” Marilyn Black, Richards’ wife, told CHS about the outpouring of support.

Central Seattle Greenways organized the walk to remember Richards and bring awareness to their call for safer streets in the city.

Her neighbors have embraced her, Black said, bringing her food and words of comfort, but it still doesn’t feel real that Richards, 79, is gone.

Richards died after being hit by a driver as he walked his dog across Belmont Ave E near Bellevue Place EPink, the dog, was unharmed. The collision remains under investigation by Seattle Police.

Prior to Richards’ death, Black said she had concerns about pedestrian safety in Seattle, especially compared to their previous home in Melbourne, Australia. She even mapped out what she thought was a safe night-time walking route with her husband. But he liked to explore, she said, and only followed the map a few times. Continue reading

Walk for Max, Sunday at Bellevue and Belmont

(Image: Central Seattle Greenways)

(Image: Central Seattle Greenways)

Max Richards was out for a walk with his dog Pink on the morning of September 21st when he was fatally struck by a driver. Sunday, neighbors and safe street advocates will gather at Bellevue Pl E and Belmont Ave E for a walk to honor the life of the 79-year-old and to talk about how to make the area safer for walkers, riders, and drivers:

Memorial Walk for Max Richards
Sunday, October 2nd, 1 to 3 PM
Bellevue Pl E and Belmont Ave E
Max Richards was killed crossing at Bellevue and Belmont on Wednesday morning, September 21. Max was walking his dog in a legal crossing. We want to make sure this crossing and every crossing in Capitol Hill is safe for people who walk.
Continue reading