Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.
About 300 people recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund. Stella Chao, director of the Department of Neighborhoods, reports that the fund has sparked 3,500 neighborhood projects around Seattle — including the new Chinatown gate, ID dragon poles, Lao Highland Association Community Center, Wing Luke exhibits and more. The fund boosts neighborhood projects with city money and has inspired other programs globally in 100 cities.
The celebrations occurred on Saturdays throughout September. The final celebration was Oct. 4 at the Rainier Community Center. ♦