SLIDESHOW: Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council held a hoe-down

Announced $20,000 grant from Dept. of Neighborhoods

The first ever Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood event was held Thursday March 31st offering neighbors a chance to get together, share their concerns and interests and to have a good time. Held at West Seattle Christian Church, 4400 42nd Avenue Southwest the event featured a hoedown led by instructor Dina Blade and live music from the Canote Brothers.

The event was sponsored by the Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council.

Council President Dick Miller announced that the organization has received a $20,000 grant from the Department of Neighborhood with the goal of "forming a more cohesive community."

Within that goal are three components for the year long effort:

Events, such as the one on Thursday night, and other events are being planned.
A gardening and landscaping project at Genesee Hill School with garden plots and will maintain the grounds.
Neighborlink: An effort to promote emergency preparedness, crime prevention and mutual support.

"Anybody who has watched the news about Japan can see that if you don't have a neighborhood that can pull together you're in deep trouble," Miller said.