10^th Annual May Day March & Rally

Saturday, May 1, Noon – March at 12:30pm to Memorial Stadium

Judkin’s Playfield, Seattle (behind St. Mary’s Church at 611 20

^th Ave S)

We are all Workers –  Immigration Reform Now

Corporations are trying to pit workers against each other by pushing a new immigrant guest-worker program with minimal protections through Congress under the Wall Street Senator Schumer’s bill.  The march is part of a nation-wide campaign of actions to protest federal government stepping up raids, expanding privatized detention centers, and deportations to drive immigrant workers further into an underground economy of low wages and poor education.

Sponsored by El Comité, WA-IRAC, CISPES, AFSC, Teamsters 117, CAGJ, WFSE 304, SEIU 6, WWFOR, Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, LIUNA NROC, and many more.

If you need more info, please call us at (206) 441-4969

Note:  Obama promised immigration reform when campaigning, but now says it’s off the table.  Obama promised a repeal of DOMA and DADT, but now that’s off the table.  With “friends” like these, we’re better off under Bush.

• Your last chance to sample Tango’s El Diablo for Free is this evening
• Derby Day parties at CHS Sponsor Bottleneck and Tavern Law
• All You Can Eat Pierogi Fest begins at 11 am tomorrow at Dom Polski
• CHS Sponsor Whimsy Decor begins a floor sample sale tomorrow (they open at 10 am)
• Harvest Vine begins serving brunch tomorrow (also a 10 am start)
• Sasquatch Posters Exhibit Opening Gala tomorrow from 6 pm to 10 pm 
• First Saturday means Free Admission at the Seattle Asian Art Museum (open 10 am to 5 pm)
• Critically acclaimed food documentary Fresh plays at the Central Cinema beginning tonight and ending May 6 (two opportunities to meet the Director, Ana Sofia Joanes in person (tonight at the 7 pm showing & tomorrow at 4 pm at the Seattle Film Institute)
• Lauren Weedman, a very funny live performer (and you can sometimes catch her wit on one of those VH1 countdown shows) begins a stint at Hugo House tonight at 8 pm
• CHS Sponsor Emerson Salon is hosing an expansion party tomorrow: free tacos provided by Marination Mobile – don’t forget to RSVP

CHS has a new reader.  Cakespy is working on a series of paintings called “Scenes from Capitol Hill” to celebrate her arrival to the neighborhood and was kind enough to forward us a particularly relevant one.  Check out the paintings and other choice art at the Cakespy Shop (formerly Blue Bottle Gallery) Tuesday thru Sunday 12 to 7 pm.

8:45: Until further notice.

UPDATE 8:59: 3 minutes later, Metro says it’s back on regular route.

UPDATE 9:10: Metro says it’s down.

UPDATE 9:22: It’s fixed. Apparently this was not as big a deal as I thought.

Capitol Hill’s leading affordable acupuncturist (slogan courtesy CHS) has upgraded. The Pin Cushion significantly expanded its services this January when the clinic moved from a renovated one-bedroom apartment on the corner of 12th Ave. to a comfortable clinic on E. Olive Way and Boylston. Now, The Pin Cushion offers two community acupuncture rooms and more space for a reception area and private consultations.

“We nearly tripled our treatment capacity and now have an on-site receptionist. This way we can accommodate walk-ins and people can call in with questions or to schedule appointments,” said senior acupuncturist and owner Julie Johnson.

Johnson says Capitol Hill is the perfect home for an affordable acupuncture practice.

“I opened The Pin Cushion in Capitol Hill because I wanted to bring affordable health care to as many overworked, uninsured, and stressed out artists/students/worker bees as I could. This neighborhood is dense, diverse and in need of affordable acupuncture,” said Johnson. “Since The Pin Cushion opened in 2008 we have given over 2,500 acupuncture treatments to the people in the community.”

Stressed? Dealing with physical injuries? Suffering from allergies? Facing depression? Lack affordable health care on a tight budget?

Johnson says that all of those ailments – even the financial ones – can be met and treated with care.

“I find that most people’s health issues are the result of untreated stress. We simply don’t make room for enough restorative therapy,” said Johnson. “That is the beauty of acupuncture. It’s so relaxing and noninvasive. This is why our tagline is, don’t just do something, sit there!”

New patients consult with Johnson or fellow acupuncturist Susie Fanslow to determine what the therapy needs and goals are, and individual treatment plans are mapped out. Herbal formulas for further healing at home are available, too.

The acupuncturist strategically places pins and you “cook” in a quiet meditation room shared with other clients. Community acupuncture means that everyone remains fully clothed, with needles placed in the lower arms and legs of the body.

The Pin Cushion offers 45 minute to an hour therapy sessions on a sliding scale – $20 to $40 upfront – no insurance, no bills. They also offer free acupuncture sessions to new clients on the first Friday of every month.

“I decided to open an affordable community acupuncture clinic for several reasons. First of all, I could never reconcile practicing a medicine that I nor any of my friends could afford,” said Johnson. “Most acupuncturists see patients one-on-one and charge between $65- $100 a treatment, making it difficult and expensive for patients to commit to a recommended treatment course.”

“It is extremely frustrating to practice such a versatile healing modality that offers such effective relief and yet cannot be accessed by the average person because of the price barrier,” Johnson said.

You can schedule appointments online, or call The Pin Cushion at 206-324-3650.

The empty lot on Harvard Ave (Photo: Jon Polka/THE SPECTATOR)

Capitol Hill is all too familiar with stalled construction projects that leave blighted empty space in our neighborhood. Luckily, were also pretty good at keeping them fun, active and entertaining. Well, with the Great Recession putting many projects on hold indefinitely the city is looking to do something with these empty lots through their “Holding Patterns” Initiative. From the press release:

Have you noticed how many lots have been left empty or partially developed due to the stalled economy? These vacant project sites are all around us. Unattractive and unbecoming of our city, we pass by them every day: empty holes, barren plains of gravel, voids in the city fabric. How can we convert these eyesores to opportunities?

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Whether a concert space or a bumper car track, basketball hoops or a fleeting performance stage, from temporary to semi-permanent, wacky, practical or both, the Design Commission is welcoming any and all ideas. Artists, designers, non-profits, businesses, developers, students, astronauts, everyone is invited to contribute ideas. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.

Capitol Hill’s most notorious empty lot is certainly 500 E. Pine, aka The People’s Parking Lot, but there are quite a few others sitting idle around the hill. Here is a map of all of our sites (disclaimer: I’m not as familiar with the NE part of the hill, so if I’ve missed anything let me know).

View Capitol Hill’s Empty Spaces in a larger map

In all I’ve counted 9 lots for a total of nearly 3.5 acres of empty space. So what say you Hillites? What are some good ideas for these lots? Bounce some around here but if you’re really serious, here is how to submit a formal proposal to the city:

Photo: Jon Polka/THE SPECTATOR

Submit via e-mail to [email protected] a pdf formatted file and in the body of the email the names/backgrounds of participants and contact information for one person. Please put “Holding Patterns” in the subject line. 6 MB maximum file size.

Deadline: Monday, May 24th 2010

Your submission should include the following:

• a brief narrative including rationale, goal, purpose, program, and design
•  intent the location, if specific (all city-wide locations are acceptable)
• a site plan and/or images that communicate your ideas
•  Maximum of four 8.5” x 11” single-sided pages per site category

The sturm und drang aroused by CHS contributor seanandr’s “Cafe Ladro says nyet to your pet” post caused us to delve into Caffe Ladro‘s recent clarification of their pet policy.  We spoke to a Ladro employee, who wished to remain anonymous but told us that the policy now posted on their window, disallowing animals in the cafe, was enacted after a visit from a Seattle & King County Public Health Official.   The official observed a number of dogs in the cafe and made Ladro aware that animals are not allowed in eating and drinking establishments, save for service animals.

We spoke to Hilary Karasz, an Information Officer with Seattle & King County Public Health, who confirmed that per state statute, animals are not allowed in eating and/or drinking establishments (nor grocery stores), with the exception of service animals.  Karasz advised that employees are able to inquire as to what functions a service animal serves but cannot ask for proof of disability and/or that a pet is indeed a service animal, per federal statute (the Americans with Disabilities Act).  She acknowledged that this can create a loophole but stated that the public is charged with being “good citizens.”  

Update (4/29) 2 pm: We spoke to Jeff Howell, Caffe Ladro’s General Manager, who stated that it has always been Ladro’s policy to disallow animals in to the cafes.  However, a recent warning from Seattle & King County Public Health caused them to formalize and enforce this policy. 

I have looked but haven’t see any information about the Sunday Farmer’s Market.  The website ( http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/broadway) only shows for 2009 – anybody know if, when and where it will be opening this year?

• Thurs, April 29 @ Gallery 1412: Hell’s Bellows, Stefan Gruber, Tone Ghosting.  Come experience the experimental, worldly tones of Hell’s Bellows, the animated films of Stefan Gruber, and the unique sounds of Tone Ghosting using his homemade instrument: playing vinyl LPs with a hacksaw and electronic FX. Show starts at 8PM; all ages, $5-15.

• Thurs, April 29 @ Piecora’s Back Room: Great Waves, Conservative Dad, and Us On Roofs.  Doors at 9:30PM; all ages; $6.  EMP Sound Off! winner Great Waves will headline this evening of indie pop music at Piecora’s, also celebrating the release of the young band’s new EP. 

• April 29, 30: Cornish College of the Art’s Scores of Sound @ PONCHO Concert Hall.  This 4-day festival continues with days 3 and 4 of “the best music at Cornish.” On Friday, enjoy jazz, Latin and gamelan ensembles, and come back the next day for jazz arrangements, repetoires, and more.  Begins at 10am both days.

• Sat, May 1: Romance, The Purrs, Starry Saints, Mars Accelerator @ Comet Tavern.  This will be a night to see a mix of Seattle bands playing their unique genres of post rock, psychedelic pop, shoegaze, and alternative rock.  Doors at 8PM; $7

• Sun, May 2: The Dusty 45s with DJ Mark Kihara @ Century Ballroom.  Get your swing dancing and rockabilly on with Century’s Sunday night dance social with a live band.  Brief beginner’s lesson is at 9PM; social dance starts at 9:30PM.  All ages; lesson + dance for $15.

Capitol Hill Block Party 2010 News (sort of)

Seattle Times music blogger Andrew Matson got ahold of some preliminary details regarding the annual music festival taking place in our neck of the woods.  Here is the schedule of announcements:

June 4: Lineup annoucements

June 4: Tickets go on sale

July 23-24: Capitol Hill Block Party!

If you are a Capitol-Hill-based musician who would like to be featured on CHS, or have an up-coming music event to announce, e-mail Suzi!