Tag Archives: movies

The Commons

September Meaningful Movie: Watershed

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Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies presents Watershed, another free monthly documentary screening with free popcorn, Friday, September 18, at the Garden House (2336 15th Ave. S. across from the Shell station). Doors open at 6:15, movie at 7:00. ADA accessible.

Changing physical conditions upstream are affecting the source of our watersheds at the same time land use and management decisions affect conditions downstream. What does the future hold?

The film Watershed asks these questions– Can we meet the needs of a growing population? Can we find harmony amongst the competing interests of cities, agriculture, industry, recreation, wildlife and indigenous communities with rights to the water? The current uses of Colorado River water (serving 30 million people) prevent it from reaching its outlet at the Gulf of California. Encroaching salt water into groundwater supplies endanger agriculture and wildlife habitat. Watershed highlights personal stories of water users along the river and presents a solution than may serve the needs of all.

Our special guest will be Mike Brent from the Cascade Water Alliance who will join us for a discussion of our regional water sources,current water supply conditions and plans for the future. This has been a tough season for those who depend on local rivers.

Watch the trailer at: www.beacon-arts.org

The Commons

Film project about the Fir State Golf Club and the Jefferson Park Golf Course seeks Kickstarter backers

Fir State Golf Club, a primarily Black golf club, chose to call themselves Fir State after Washington’s state tree. To them, the evergreen fir tree was a symbol of strength and the ability to weather many storms. The club was established in 1947 to provide nonwhites an opportunity to learn and participate fully in the sport of golf. Up until that time, and in most places around the United States, including Seattle, clubs and tournaments were not open to golfers of color.

Regardless of their abilities, they were left out of opportunities to compete, gain recognition and acquire the economic rewards afforded to other quality golfers. This was true and condoned legally throughout the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. At a time when Rosa Parks had not yet been arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus and the 14th amendment to the US constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, was still 17 years away, these determined golfers became some of the earliest heroes in the fight for equality and racial justice in Seattle.

As the pursuit for equity in sports continues, Out of the Rough celebrates the Fir State Golf Club for the historic role they played in opening up opportunities for all people to be able to participate fully in the sport of golf. There are only 3 days left to donate to help finish the film. Please consider making a donation at the Out of the Rough Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1200799877/out-of-the-rough-stories-from-fir-state-golf-club.

The Fir State Golf Club’s home course is the Jefferson Park Golf Course on Beacon Hill. For more information on the history of the Fir State Golf Club and the Jefferson Park Golf Course:

http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9531
http://cascadegolfer.com/jefferson-park-golf-course/
http://beaconhill.seattle.wa.us/2012/08/18/the-vanishing-history-of-jefferson-park-golf-part-i-the-seattle-landmarks-preservation-board/
http://beaconhill.seattle.wa.us/2012/08/25/the-vanishing-history-of-jefferson-park-golf-part-ii-dreamers-and-builders/
http://beaconhill.seattle.wa.us/2012/09/04/the-vanishing-history-of-jefferson-park-golf-part-iii-golfing-clubs-and-champions-united-by-the-right-to-compete/

Arts, Local Events

Free “Meaningful Movie” this month: On Paper Wings

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Still from the film On Paper Wings.
Still from the film On Paper Wings.

(This story was contributed via our Commons (reader-submitted) section. Thanks, Christina! Other readers who wish to contribute to the Commons should click the link above that says “Write for the BHB.” — Ed.)

Local, volunteer-powered Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies screens the documentary On Paper Wings on Friday, August 21 at the Garden House (2336 15th Ave. S.) at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15. Free movie, free popcorn!

During World War II, the Japanese military developed a new weapon intended to strike directly at the American continent — the balloon bomb. Thousands of hydrogen-filled balloons were attached to bombs and then launched into the jet stream to drift toward North America.

When six civilians found a balloon bomb in southern Oregon (near Bly), the device exploded. They became the only people killed on the continental US as the result of enemy action during World War II.

On Paper Wings is the story of four Japanese women who worked on the balloon bombs, the families of those killed in Oregon, and the man whose actions brought them all together forty years after World War II and the balloon bomb project.

Event organizers are hoping to have local Japanese-American residents whose lives were forever changed by the removal and internment experience as guests to share their stories.

The Commons

E Team is the next free Meaningful Movie

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Image from the movie E Team.
Image from the movie E Team.
Local, volunteer-powered Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies screens the documentary E Team on Friday, July 17 at the Garden House (2336 15th Ave. S) at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15. Free movie, free popcorn!

This film follows four members of the Emergencies Team (E Team) of the respected, international human rights group, Human Rights Watch. Trained to deal with unfolding crises, the team flies to hotspots all over the world as soon as allegations of human rights abuse surface. They gather crucial evidence to determine if further investigation is warranted and if so, to interview, document and capture the world’s attention. Human rights abuses thrive on secrecy and silence and the work of the E Team, backed by HRW has shone light in dark places and given voice to thousands who stories would never otherwise have been told.

The camera follows the E-Team investigators into the field as they smuggle themselves across the Syrian border to conduct undercover investigations as the civil war rages around them.

Each team member is visited at home away from conflict zones showing how they try to balance family and personal relationships with the challenges of their E Team work around the world. Though they are very different people, they share a fearless spirit and a deep commitment to exposing and halting human rights abuses everywhere.

(Thanks, Christina, for posting to The Commons! — Ed.)

Arts

Free movies this summer!

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(This post was promoted from The Commons. Thanks, Melissa, for contributing to the BHB in The Commons!)

The free movie season on Beacon Hill kicks off tomorrow night with movies for the whole family.

The Toy Story series starts with Toy Story 1 outdoors at Jefferson Park starting tomorrow, Friday June 19, around dusk (8:30ish) in the bowl between the Community Center and the tennis courts.

The first anniversary celebration of Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies is also tomorrow, June 19. A free movie (Sweet Dreams), free popcorn, and excellent discussion are promised. Doors open at 6:15, and the movie starts at 7 p.m.

Please note on your calendar another film next month: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs at Beacon Hill Branch of The Seattle Public Library on July 31. It starts at 5:30, and it’s free and open to the public. (Note: It will be shown in the Community Meeting Room as part of a food-themed movie series at our branch this summer.)

Summers on Beacon Hill: TOO MUCH FUN!

Arts, Local Events

Sweet Dreams at Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies

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Ice cream at the shop in the movie Sweet Dreams. Photo by Lisa Fruchtman.
Ice cream at the shop in the movie Sweet Dreams. Photo by Lisa Fruchtman.
On Friday, June 19, Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies will celebrate its first birthday. All neighbors are invited to enjoy the special movie Sweet Dreams, indulge in free popcorn and free drumsticks. Movies are screened at the Garden House (2336 15th Ave. S., across from the Shell station). Doors open at 6:15 for neighbors to chat and movies start at 7 p.m. sharp.

The movie series got its start in 2014 with a Small Sparks grant from the Department of Neighborhoods which funded the first six movies (paying for rent, screening rights, posters and popcorn). Since then community support from local business Joe McKinstry Construction Company and donations from moviegoers have funded the program. Our local series is a program of Beacon Arts and an affiliate of the Meaningful Movies Project based in Wallingford.

Three neighbors, Devin Hollingsworth, Jonis Davis and Christina Olson steer the project, hunting for great documentaries, inviting resource folks to the discussion circles that follow the movies, and searching for grants to sustain the program. They report that they have welcomed over 500 people in their first year from as many as 34 zip codes. Olson says, “It was meant to be a local movie series, an opportunity for neighbors to meet and discuss social, economic and environmental issues spurred by the movies. We’ve had some great discussions, and met some wonderful local film makers.”

Sweet Dreams, June’s movie, tells the story of the hard work of reconciliation after the Rwandan genocide. Women from all ethnic groups form a drumming performance troupe, and then move on to form a cooperative to build a business. They choose to bring ice cream to Rwanda for the first time. According to Christina Olson, “The movie chronicles the difficult road to making a dream come true. This is a movie that captures the great spirit of women who dare to dream.”

(Thanks to Christina Olson for this story submission!)

Arts, Local Events

Ghostbusters under the stars at Jefferson Park

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I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never, ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft.
I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never, ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft.

Who you gonna call? That’s right, the 1984 comedy blockbuster Ghostbusters is this month’s feature at the Jefferson Park Outdoor Movie Night. Showtime is dusk on Saturday, August 17, and admission is free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks, or purchase snacks at the site.

Mark September 14 on your calendar as well, when Raiders of the Lost Ark will close out this year’s summer outdoor movie series.

For more information about the event, contact the Jefferson Community Center at 684-7481.

Many Shuvs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you!
Many Shuvs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you!
Arts, Local Events

Free outdoor movie at Jefferson Park Friday: Star Wars

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Maybe these guys will show up. Photo by amaianos via Creative Commons/Flickr.
Have you watched with jealousy while all the other neighborhoods have summer outdoor movies? Now it’s our turn! At dusk (around 8:30) on Friday, August 24, Jefferson Community Center will present Star Wars outdoors at Jefferson Park amphitheater. The show is free, but concessions will be available, with proceeds to benefit Jefferson Community Center Teen Programs.

Arts, Local Events, Other Neighborhoods

Food, arts, and film Saturday evening at Chinatown-ID Night Market

Just a few minutes down the hill from North Beacon this Saturday evening is the annual Chinatown-International District Night Market. The Night Market is a street fair on South King Street and in Hing Hay Park that will feature local vendors of crafts and international cuisine. There will also be live performances including Chinese lion and dragon dances, Brazilian and traditional martial arts, live painting demonstrations, and a free outdoor showing of the new Karate Kid movie at 8:45 p.m.

Restaurants participating include Jade Garden, Sub Sand, and Oasis Tea Zone. Food trucks will also take part in the event, including Fusion on the Run and Lumpia World.

Admission to the Night Market is free, and the event runs from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, August 27. For more information, see the event website.

Lion dancers at last year's Night Market. Photo by Wendi.
Clean and Green, Local Events

Establishing a Food Forest tomorrow at Garden House

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(Article has been updated with correct date—we made a mistake!)

Tomorrow, May 4 at 6:30 p.m., the Friends of the Beacon Food Forest are hosting a free screening of Geoff Lawton’s film Establishing a Food Forest.

In the film, Lawton explains the fundamentals of food forestry and then goes outdoors to show examples of active food forests at various stages in their existence. You can read a review here.

The screening is at the Washington Federation of Garden Clubs Headquarters House (the Garden House for short), at 2336 15th Ave. S. Food and drink will be provided.

Here is a trailer for the film: