From: NINA HARDING <ninaharding@msn.com>
Date: September 22, 2007 8:23:44 AM PDT
To: irina g <irinag@u.washington.edu>
Subject: RE: Judkins History from Nina and Kim
Thank you for asking.
Delores Bradley is a significant lady in Judkins. She is a senior citizen who was very
friendly with the then Councilman George Benson; she got the funding for the children's
wadding pool in Judkins Park after I left for Law School. There is also another senior
citizen lady friend of Delores who worked with her, but her name escapes me.
As for the dual names of Judkins - when Kim and I started the community council in
1970 we were named Judkins Community Council as that is who we were. Kim cited the
geographic boundaries as the city defined the boundaries for each council. As Kim also
affirms in his e-mail, our proposals were continually 'rejected' by the city and by the City
Council. Our proposals would be 'tweeked' by the city and/or the City Council for other
councils and they were given the funding. Judkins was the victim of more excuses than
we could deal with. At a meeting at the Prince of Peace Church where we discussed the
feedback of our efforts, I was so angry that our community wide needs were being
constantly being rejected that I renamed the council to Judkins 'Rejected' Community
Council as it depicted and affirmed our status to the city and the City Council. The
Council continued with that name for about 15 years until if briefly returned to Judkins
Community Council. Then with the influx of white neighbors, Judkins was again
renamed to Colman Neighborhood Association. All three names refer to the same
community council and demonstrates our history, struggle to survive and be
acknowledged by the city and City Council to correct our glaring needs and to improve
our neighborhood, and to the now reformulated name of CNA from the new neighbors.
If you have any other questions, please feel to ask. No issue is 'pesky'.
Nina
From: irinag@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Judkins History from Kim Tschantz
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:10:06 -0700
To: ninaharding@msn.com
Hello Ms. Nina,
thank you for sending this over! If you don't mind me being pesky, can tell me anything
about the role of Dolores Bradley in this group? Also, I have always heard the name
Judkins Rejected and didn't realize that there were two separate neighborhoods Judkins
and Rejected. Which is correct?
Thank you again for all of your help. These stories are definitely paining a vivid picture
and will provide some rich material for Mr. Walker.
Irina
From: kimt@cruzio.com
To: ninaharding@msn.com
Subject: Re: Judkins and your picture
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:25:10 -0700
Nina,
The oringal Judkins Cmty. Council was on the opposite side of 23rd from you. VISTA
guy, Michael Weizbowski started it a yr. before I came, but turned it over to me to reinvigorate as he was leaving VISTA and I was starting my VISTA term. At that time it
was a tri-racial neighborhood w/ several dirt street all surrounding a rectangular open
field that was a former City dump (landfill). An older woman, Dorothy ____, was their
chairperson.
The Central Seattle Cmty Council Federation (CSCCF), with headquarters at the old
Horace Mann School on E. Cherry St., was the non-profit org. I was assigned to help
through VISTA. They decided they should have me go into an area of the CD that had
not been organized into any type of cmty. council and was full of vacant abandoned
homes. This neighborhood was bounded by Yesler Way at the N and Empire Way and
23rd Ave on the W & E. and the freeway on the S. (just S of Charles St). When enough
people in this n'hood were convinced to form a cmty. group, they met at the old Prince of
Peace Baptist church. Among other things, discussed what the name of this new cmty
group should be. Everybody agreed that this was a n'hood that was rejected by the City.
The n'hood to the N. (Jeffferson) had the F.A.C.E. project to rehab. homes, but nothing
like that S. of Yesler Way. East of Empire, Leschi had a great housing rehab. project &
City $$ for new sidewalks, street light lights etc. But nothing like that W. of Empire Way.
With 1/2 of the homes abandoned (and most of them vandalized), with the inability to get
loans to fix up inhabitated houses; with old businesses on Jackson St. struggling w/ no
interest from the Chamber of Commerce or City Hall, people in this forgotten area felt
damn rejected! It was Seattle's "rejected" n'hood w/ a capital "R". Therefore it was voted
on and agreed--the name of the new group would be Seattle's "Rejected Community
Council" and they joined CSCCF.
Before that mtg. at Prince of Peace, Daryl Smith of CSCCF gave me just 2 names of
people w/in the rectange bounded by Yesler/Empire/23rd/freeway. The first 2 doors I
knocked on were that of Kay Durkee (corner of Empire and Jackson) and Leona Wofferd
(23rd). Leona gave me your name & phone number. By the time I met you at your house
2 days later, news of a white boy knocking on doors around the n'hood was fairly
widespread (& big talk!)--at least, that's what you said! We probably talked for 1.5 hours
in your kitchen at that first mtg. and you gave me a long list of ideas, names, contacts,
personal characteristics of some of the people in the n'hood. From that point on you
became a central figure in what was to become the Rejected Cmty. Council along w/
Delphia Phillips, Preston (the barber on Jackson St), .the reverand at Prince of Peace
and the husband & wife that owned the grocery story on Yesler. But none of them had the
skills you had gained from eariler experiences in the civil rts. & woman's movements.
Among other things that year, we got the City to listen to us! Towards the end of my
VISTA term the City said it had $$ and the political committment to form a
redevelopment area (RDA) that included original Judkins and Rejected n'hoods BUT the
City did not want to deal w/ 2 separate entities. The catch was the City required the 2
cmty. councils to join into a single org. as a prerequisite to an RDA being formed. There
was mistrust between the 2 n'hoods, that I never fully understood. We had a few small
mtgs. w/ reps from both Judkins & Rejected, but it was a big decesion that needed a vote
by both memberships. My last mtg. at a cmty. council in Seattle was at the federal agency
office on Jackson were members of both Rejected & orignial Judkins and City
Councilman Benson came to determine if the 2 groups would coalesce into 1. After much
drama they finallly voted to join together into a single cmty. council under the name
Judkins.
So that's a summary of a much longer story. I can still you there at the cmty. council
mtgs. w/ your knitting! Always multi-tasking!
Peace and Love,
Kim
----- Original Message ----From: NINA HARDING
To: Kim Tschantz
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 10:50 AM
Subject: Judkins and your picture
Thanks for the update. I have been sharpening my darts in abeyance of the picture.
(smile)
The discussion re the mural continues. Now there is suppose to be an agreement as
between the community council and the Urban League re the wall adjacent to the street
being utilized to depict memories of Judkins from the formation of the community
council. The discussion, however, has expanded to a Central District memories. There
will be a meeting at the Senior Center on October 2nd with the artist Eddie Walker to get
a group consensus of the mural scope and images.
Can you recall the 'rejected' story you wanted to share with me? Please advise. Thanks.
Nina
------------------------------------------Begin forwarded message:
We have been reading the range of reflections with great interest, we live in an area with
an incredibly rich and varied ethnic/socioeconomic/religious/political history which is in
many ways unique in Seattle. The range of memories has been truly fascinating. Initially
the memories and suggestions seemed primary focussed on the African American history
in this area which seems entirely appropriate given it’s intended location on a wall near
the Northwest African American Museum. However, African American history is
clearly intertwined with the several other prominent neighborhood influences, namely the
Jewish and Italian history over the last century. We would echo Bob Peth’s question of
the time frames and focus of the mural?
We happen to live in a home built in 1897 which during most of its history was owned by
a prominent Italian family and as such we’ve been informed about the “Garlic Gulch”
aspect of the Central Area/Judkin’s Park. It just so happened that at a 5 year old birthday
party in another neighborhood this weekend, we happened to meet the Italian
grandparents who had grown up in a house next to us—we heard many stories of local
groceries stores and sausage stores, the church offering free ice cream at the end of
services (all the neighborhood kids knew the time and when to show up), stories of how
ethnically and racially varied the neighborhood was during the 40s/50s. We see the
remnants of very old fruit trees all around the neighborhood which reflects the Italian
farming heritage (we believe) and have wondered in the past if the fennel that grew wild
in many abandoned lots (although these lots are disappearing) relates back to those days.
We are certainly no experts on the Italian history in the neighborhhod, but would like to
see this aspect included if it is ultimately decided that the mural reflects the history of the
neigborhood over the past 125 years.
And one other random individual/thought that we think should be included in the
mural—Floyd Standifer lived/grew up (we believe) several houses away from us. For
years we were occasionally lucky enought to hear musical notes floating across our
backyard—as a icon in the jazz scene and neighborhood member, we think he’s be
appropriate on a mural.
Birgit Grimlund and Robin Reiels
birgitandrobin@earthlink.net
------------------------------[Original Message]
From:
To:
Date:
Subject:
Bob Peth <bob@OFFICERBOB.COM>
<CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV>
9/16/2007 3:28:36 AM
Re: [CNACHAT] CNACHAT Digest - 14 Sep 2007 to 15 Sep 2007
(#2007-24)
Is the mural limited to a particular time frame? I’m seeing a lot of suggestions that cover
limited time ranges. I have plants on my property that outdate most of the suggestions I
have seen.
I think that our neighborhood is the ultimate symbol of transition. I find it beautiful that
the neighborhood has gone through many phases of being predominantly different and is
now as open minded as any historical rendering I have seen.
I just hate to see us draw lines. Lines only separate us. I would love to see the mural
start with the oldest records of the neighborhood and end with a representation of the
current status. People tend to fear change but change is what keeps us alive! Ignoring
the past (as ugly or beautiful as it might be) doesn’t help anyone and if we “Cherry Pick”
our history it is unfair to us all.
I feel the mural would be most honest and serve the neighborhood best if it accurately
depicts our history.... warts and all!
Begin forwarded message:
From: M MC*ALISTER <lexus1953@MSN.COM>
Date: September 14, 2007 6:10:05 PM PDT
To: CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
Subject: Re: [CNACHAT] mural question and reminder
Reply-To: CNAChat <CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV>
I grew up via the Navy, Bremerton.. we lived in and out of Seattle. I attended Leshi
Elementary, Madrona & Washington Jr. Hi, (middle schools were not present at that
time).. what i remember and enjoyed most during those times was the drill team.
Drillerines, Drilleretts & Renasaunce Drill Teams. Mr. Cann and Mr. Ellis, the drill
masters were instrumental in prividing young girls with fun and great community
presence; and numberous trophies for performance.. & Walker Chapel Church (27th &
Dearborn) under the leadership of Rev. Dewitty.. vacation bible school, picnics... fun....
many fond memories.
------------------Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:46:36 -0700
From: lisakonick@HOTMAIL.COM
Subject: Re: [CNACHAT] mural question and reminder
To: CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
My family moved to the Central Area in 1903.
My grandfather told me many stories of his and his siblings adventures growing up in
their home on 17th and Yesler when there were still trolleys and horse-drawn wagons
going up and down the hill. He went on to attend Garfield High School where he met my
grandmother. He was the captain of the basketball team there in 1927. My mom attended
Garfield and so did my sister and I.
One of my happiest memories as a child was attending the Bikur Cholim Synagogue on
Yesler with my father and grandfather. My father was a soloist at the High Holidays and
would take me along. The nice ladies down in the nursery would always invite me down
to Sunday School with the other kids but I was shy and preferred to sit through the long
service so I could be near my dad. The sanctuary was so peaceful and beautiful to my
young eyes. Truly a sacred place. Today the building houses the Langston Hughes
Cultural Center. I'm so glad it was not torn down.
I don't know if this is helpful at all for your project. But it's nice for me to remember
those happy days as the High Holidays begin this week. I wish my grandfather were alive
-- I know he would be excited to see your mural and then we would probably go out to
lunch at R & L barbecue, just like in the old days. Thanks for listening to my
reminiscences!
Lisa Konick
525 M. L. King Jr. Way S.
Seattle, WA 98144
lisakonick@hotmail.com
(206) 323-8081
---------------------From: "Carter, Portia" <pcarter@SCCD.CTC.EDU>
Reply-To: CNAChat <CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV>
To: CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
Subject: Re: [CNACHAT] mural question and reminder
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:07:23 -0700
I have lived in the CD almost all my 50 years. My mom lives on the north end of the CD
on 24th and Olive and I live on the South end of the CD on 24th and Norman. Some of
my fondest and most precious memories of the CD that I would like to see on the WALL
is the CAYA football teams and cheerleaders now the CD Panthers and a Photographs of
the late Sam Smith in his blue station wagon with the wood grain side panels displaying
his signs vote for Sam Smith with his bull horn in his mouth as he is stating "howdy
neighbor" As a little girl when we heard Sam Smith howdy Neighbor, we would run
from the back of the yard to the front just to wave and say hi back. My dad coach for
CAYA in the early years and my three brothers and my 26 year old son played football
for the teams. Not only did CAYA keep them out of trouble they also completed college
through football scholarships. Although I do not have young children any more, I some
time go to the little leagues CD Panthers games just to watch the kids. The other image I
recommend is a picture of Fizgerald Beaver and the FACTS Logo. My brothers as kids
would sell the Facts for a Dime and keep a nickel for them selves and the other nickel
went back to the FACTs. Back then If you were not in the facts it did not happen. My
older brother as an adult bought a newspaper in Dallas Texas just like what the Facts is to
Seattle. He bought it from an old black man like Beaver and to let the community know
of the new ownership he duplicated what he did for the facts over 40 years ago and had
little boys with the DALLAS WEEKLY T-SHIRTS pass out the papers on the
neiborhood street corners. I got to get back to work now. Thanks for the Memory
Portia G. Carter
Development Director
Seattle Vocational Institute
2120 South Jackson
Seattle, Washington 98144
(206) 587-4985 Fax (206)587-4928
http://sviweb.sccd.ctc.edu
---------------------From: CNAChat [mailto:CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV] On Behalf Of
sischalice@AOL.COM
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 8:23 PM
To:
CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
Subject: Re: [CNACHAT] mural question and
reminder
I would like to see a depicition of the first Head Start Office in Seattle which opened
right across the street from the museum site in the 60's. My father Leslie Stallworth,
DorothyHollingsworth and others were instrumental in opening this Head Start site as a
part of the Model Cities program which did a lot for the Central Area and the residents at
that time. I know Ms. Nina Harding has additional info on this as well as maybe some
pictures. I just remember the grand opening and it was big deal for me as a child at that
time to see the community so proud of their achievement. Just a suggestion. I will also
ask my father for more info, both he and Ms. Hollingsworth are now octogenarians who
worked hard during the 50's, 60's and 70's to make positive change in the Central
Area.
-
----Original Message-----
From: NINA HARDING <ninaharding@MSN.COM>
To:
CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
Sent: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 3:43 pm
Subject: Re:
[CNACHAT] mural question and reminder
Jimi Hendrix is within my family and he did not grow up in the Judkins area. It would be
prudent if you knew your facts before you make an assertion as fact.
I agree with
children on the mural as the seniors in the Judkins Community Council worked hard to
create the wading pool at the park after I left Seattle for law school.
Certainly images
of deceased Council President and Councilman Sam Smith and retired Judge and Senator
Charles Stokes would be appropriate on the mural since their named parks are adjacent to
the wall.
Bottom line is that whatever is within the creative genius of Eddie Walker
should be embodied on the mural. I have known Eddie for many years, know his work,
have a lot of his pieces in my home and I trust his judgment.
Atty Ms. Nina
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:21:49 -0700
From: emilyziel@YAHOO.COM
Subject:
Re: [CNACHAT] mural question and reminder
To:
CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
I would like to see a mural with a diverse group of kids playing. I think this would depict
Dr. Martin Luther King's dream and kids make everyone happy. I also think it would
make sense to see some representation of Jimi Hendrix because he was an extraordinary
who musician grew up in the area.
irina g <irinag@U.WASHINGTON.EDU> wrote:
Begin forwarded message:
Eudora - indeed there was a nice group of us and we should all be acknowledged. Kim
and I did the initial organizing and after I left Seattle for law school, others carried on for
the group. Rosie and Judge Kimi were chairs, too. I have moved over 12 times since the
Judkins days, so I have lost track of all the good folks of Judkins. Your help in
reconstructing would be helpful. Eddie is a great artists and we would be honorably
displayed. Do contact me as your time permits.
Nina
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 14:13:59 -0700
From: eudora.carter@CSCHC.ORG
Subject: Re: [CNACHAT] mural update
To: CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
There are other members of the original “rejected” also in the area, if you are interested.
Eudora
------------------------------------From: NINA HARDING <ninaharding@MSN.COM>
Date: September 4, 2007 6:56:30 PM PDT
To: CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV
Subject: Re: [CNACHAT] mural update
Reply-To: CNAChat <CNACHAT@TALK2.SEATTLE.GOV>
I am very pleased with a mural depicting the history of the neighborhood. I am even
more pleased that Eddie Walker will be the assigned artist. I know Eddie personally and
have several of his pieces in my home. If the mural will include images of significant
persons from the early organizing days when we were named Judkins Rejected
Community Council, then I am happy to submit my picture and to get a picture from Kim
Tschantz who helped me to organize the council and to identify our issues so that our
images will be included on the mural. Please advise. Thanks.
Atty Nina Harding