ANA leaders (from left) Mark Wainwright, Katy Walum, and Gary Williamson with their new banner.

Story and photo by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The mood was festive at the final meeting of 2010 for the Admiral Neighborhood Association at the Admiral Church on Tuesday night, as the group celebrated a successful year and looked forward to 2011.

ANA President Katy Walum thanked the group’s volunteers for their hard work and dedication, and passed around a two-page list of “2010 Activities and Accomplishments” (which will be revised and posted online in January) that emphasized just how much the group has been up to. Here’s a summary:

• Admiral Safeway design review input
• Adopt-a-Street in Admiral neighborhood
• Admiral Neighborhood Crime Prevention Summit, March 2010
• SW Admiral Way & 47th Ave SW stoplight push
• 4th of July Kids’ Parade and Admiral trick-or-treating
• 2010 ANA Summer Concert Series at Hiawatha Park
• Political candidates’ forum prior to 2010 elections
• ANA opposition to proposed city budget cuts affecting Dept of Neighborhoods
• Member involvement in area issues such as park preservation, Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement and bored tunnel, California Ave “upzone,” and others
• Admiral t-shirts

Walum unveiled the group’s new banner (pictured above), notecards and letterhead, featuring their new logo. She also reminded attendees that the group’s new Admiral apparel (pictures here) “make great holiday gifts,” and encouraged anyone to e-mail her at katy.walum@gmail.com if they’re interested in buying some — $40 jackets, $15 t-shirts, $10 kids’ shirts.

Other meeting notes:

ADOPT-A-STREET IN ADMIRAL: The group did an adopt-a-street on December 4, which was described as “well attended, sunny and cold but no rain.” Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) provided food for volunteers. Katy is working on the schedule for 2011, with the next cleanup happening in February. Meeting attendees on Tuesday night agreed that the effort could be even more effective with added outreach to the community —  Walum plans to contact local businesses to promote the effort, and treasurer Ann Limbaugh will contact the neighborhood’s schools (Lafayette, West Seattle High School).

HIAWATHA CONCERTS: Planning is already underway for the 2011 edition of the increasingly popular summer concert series at Hiawatha. Walum talked about the new “sponsorship levels” for 2011, ranging from a $100 “Sponsor level” to a $2250 “Gold Level Exclusive.”  (Businesses interested in advertising should e-mail Dave Weitzel at dave@weitzelconstruction.com.) For musical talent, Walum encouraged bands and musicians to e-mail her at katy.walum@gmail.com if they are interested in performing at the 2011 series. Walum also announced that in 2011, Hiawatha Community Center staff will be taking on more setup responsibility (easing the burden on ANA volunteers), and that the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) grant that supports the concerts is renewed for 2011. Finally, ANA members noted that one of the 2011 concerts will be held on Alki Beach (August 11), which is the first time they’re trying a non-Hiawatha location.  

WEBSITE: ANA is exploring options for a new web-hosting provider for its website, and will plan to migrate their current site in the near future.

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT: Attendees passed around a copy of a letter drafted by ANA vice president Jim Cavin and past president Mark Wainwright, sent to SDOT, outlining a number of “pros and cons” for the tunnel proposal.  The deadline for public comments was Monday of this week.

DEC 11 VANDALISM: Attendees talked about the “disgusting vandalism” that took place last week, targeting cars in Admiral, with the low-income senior-housing complex Island View Apartments being hit particularly hard. Walum said she had spoken with SW Precinct police, who don’t have any new leads.  With the support of ANA, Walum said she’d contact the leadership at Island View to see if there is anything the group could do to help.

FOSTERING COMMUNITY: Attendees talked about ways to get Admiral businesses and community members more involved and engaged with fun and visible activities for the public. The group will continue to keep this on the agenda for future meetings.

CALIFORNIA AVE “UPZONE”: ANA attendees talked about the California Ave “upzone” (recently passed 9-0) and pledged to stay involved with relevant discussions as the plans move ahead for the California corridor.

The Admiral Neighborhood Association meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, at Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill).