Despite Sunday's scorching, sweltering and often uncomfortable 90-degree heat, plenty of brave souls managed to make it over to the intersection of Queen Anne Avenue North and Roy Street to celebrate the second annual Uptown Sunday in Counterbalance Park.
Although the all-gravel appearance of the lot brings to mind everything except a future park, construction on the area is scheduled to begin in 2007. Young and old alike gathered on Sunday for music, drinks and awards under the sun. Organizations such as the Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, Uptown Alliance and Uptown Stroll set up tents in the area - most people were probably more interested in the shade than the information that the structures provided.
The Seattle Civic Band provided most of the music for the afternoon, serenading the audience with a variety of classic tunes. After it finished a few songs, 5 year-old Jaime Cali came out and belted out the "Annie" classic "Tomorrow," to a large round of applause.
John Gessner, vice president and special events coordinator of Uptown Alliance, said the event would help in "making people aware of [the park]." He also pointed out that the park is being designed so that events such as the one on Sunday can take place there.
"We can do art shows, markets, other public meetings, parties...," Gessner said.
After the music, multiple community members came up to present the 2006 Uptown Alliance Good Neighbor awards.
The Beautiful Uptown Award was given to St. Paul's Episcopal Church for the second straight year. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Park Resources/Central West Gardening and Maintenance crew received the Uptown Special Award. Upon taking the plaque, the group surprised Zoe Vineyard, the Church of Scientology environ- mental task force coordinator who was presenting the award, with a special award for her own group's work.
Uptown Neighborhood Business awards went to Queen Anne Office Supply and Scissors Palace Barber Shop, respectively.
The 2006 Counterbalance Park Award was given to Raj and Akhil Shah.
More than $700,000 has been raised for the park so far; the final goal is $1,250,000. Jean Sundborg is the Uptown Park fundraising chair. She can be reached at 733-9435.
-Jesse Baumgartner
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