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To all those stuck in re-routed bridge traffic and all the walkers too – a streetcar came up the hill once upon a time. Thanks to artists Kay, Kelly, Judith and Monica.

Above, super-trustee Billy Markham removing the remnants.

We’re thrilled and honored to report that HPIC has been awarded a Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for $25,840. The old drop-down ceiling will be removed, the existing ceiling and walls above the wood panel will get new drywall and paint, HVAC will be upgraded, lighting and audio/visual will be improved, and the stage proscenium will be enhanced.

The project will improve indoor air quality, while upgrading the space to be even more supportive of performing arts and cultural activities. We hope to host streamed performances in the near future, Covid precautions allowing, and when we are able to re-open we will have a refreshed and more accessible space for the community as well as a venue for local performers and artists.

Neighborhood Matching Funds are all about volunteer match and this grant requires a 100% match. We are organizing the physical efforts and in the meantime, we value your input! Send us your ideas for the space, for programming, for virtual things we might do.

The NMF grant was very competitive this year and we thank the City’s Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund for their support and trust.
We also thank King County and 4Culture for the Building Structural Improvements Grant, and also for support from the Covid Cultural Relief Fund, which has helped us pay our bills during this time.

In the Summer of 2020, Members of Highland Park Improvement Club eagerly created and installed a large Black Lives Matter banner on to the garden fence to show support for the rise of the movement and to acknowledge the long overdue attention to this human issue.

Soon after, the banner was stolen and destroyed; pieces were found on surrounding streets near HPIC. In early July, the West Seattle Blog covered the story and asked for the community to keep an eye out and give any information they had regarding the theft. A local sign shop owner saw the article and graciously offered to make a replacement banner. He thoughtfully made two banners, just in case there was another theft.

The new banner was hung on the fence but vandalized with graffiti soon after. The third banner was also destroyed; sliced in a few places that were able to be repaired and re-hung, but then once again, shredded beyond repair.

With this more permanent attempt at a show of support we acknowledge that we continue to proudly believe that Black Lives Matter and that we refuse to succumb to the fear of destruction. HPIC stands proudly with the BIPOC community.

Change is occurring on all levels at HPIC. Not only are we taking this time to make much needed improvements to our building, we are also examining the club’s own history, processes and programming in order to better represent and celebrate the diversity of our community, and foster inclusion throughout all that we do as an organization.

The HPIC board cares deeply about the people of our community, and we want to be explicit about our stand for social justice. We have a lot to learn, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you. If you have ideas or suggestions of what you would like to see, please reach out to be a part of the change.

Come Aboard the USS Non-COVID Cruise ship to travel to the Bahamas with your favorite bartender, Odin!! Download your bingo cards and get ready to go to the Bahamas while we play. The icing on the cake? There is no way you can catch Covid-19!! Hop on the zoom call with your favorite bartender, Odin! Get your drink through the link! Vanessa is crafting up some Mai Tai-19’s!!

Register on Eventbrite. Bingo is free, but you can also purchase a bottle of wine (selection and cost on Eventbrite), which comes with 2 commemorative wines glasses from our yearly Uncorked event. You can also purchase a Mai Tai-19 to go.

Rules:
1. Wine/Mai Tai pick up: Day of the event at HPIC – time TBD
2. The person who orders the wine/Mai Tai must pick up the items with their ID and ticket they purchased.
3. Have fun!

Sick and tired of being bored in the house?! Then come paint with us! You are more than welcome to join us for free. All you will need is a canvas, paint in primary colors and a wifi connection!

Register on Eventbrite here. Painting is free, but you can also purchase a bottle of wine (selection and cost on Eventbrite), which comes with 2 commemorative wines glasses from our yearly Uncorked event.
Rules:
1. Wine pick up: Day of the event at HPIC between 10am-12pm
2. The person who orders the wine must pick up the wine with their ID and ticket they purchased.
3. Have fun!

LiveConcertsStream.com

As we continue to Stay at Home during these challenging times, remember Uncorked and raise a toast: donate and join/renew your membership, on this day that would have been our biggest fundraiser of the year.

Uncorked will be back, our ability to gather will be back, we will get through this! Until then – stay safe and healthy! Thanks for your support.

We’re excited to introduce our HPIC coloring page! Color this and put it in your window – show your love and solidarity! Thanks to our neighbor Sonya Rupnick for creating this artwork that reflects HPIC and our neighborhood and is perfect for coloring. Click on the image for a printable version, print and color as many as you like, and post in your windows so we can feel together even though we are apart.

And when we are finally able to gather again – which will be a very special event – we will ask everyone to take the colored artworks from their windows and bring them to the club, where we will create a collective display with them for everyone to see and feel connected.