Neighborhood Leaders: Karen McAllister
Name: Karen McAllister
Neighborhood: Bayside.
Number of years in your neighborhood: 3.75
Karen McAllister, Bayside Neighborhood Association Chair // Courtesy Karen McAllister
What is your role in your neighborhood?
Chair.
How old is the neighborhood association?
1985?
How long have you been a neighborhood leader?
3+ years.
What are your biggest challenges running the neighborhood association?
Getting enough volunteers to spread the workload for events, marketing, projects, etc.
What are the biggest rewards running the neighborhood association?
Seeing all the neighbors come together to enjoy events, learning about new community programs, meeting neighbors and other community volunteers or organizations who enjoy making Bayside a better place to live.
Easter egg hunt at Clark Park // Courtesy Karen McAllister
What are the neighborhood accomplishments you are most proud of?
Successful meetings, events and donations to non profit organization.
Bringing the neighborhood together to volunteer so others in the community can benefit. Getting to know people in the neighborhood you might not ever meet had you not come together to work on a community project.
What help do you need from neighbors?
Volunteering; even in if it’s for one project or one hour, and fresh ideas for events or projects.
When and where do meetings happen?
Monthly. Every third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Everett High School Library, 2416 Colby Ave, Everett.
How can neighbors find out more about the neighborhood association?
Bayside’s prize table at National Night Out Against Crime // Courtesy Karen McAllister
Why do you love your neighborhood?
Walkable to events, dining, theatre, some of the most interesting women I’ve ever met live in a two-block area of each other here in Bayside. Met them through volunteering.
What is your favorite place in your neighborhood to eat?
There are sooooo many! J Ramens, New Mexicans, Sol, Capers + Olives, Kai Sushi...just to name a few. Jubie’s, too! Really good Caribbean BBQ.
What is your favorite place in your neighborhood to hang?
Silvercup Cafe, Strawberry Cafe, Choux Choux and Sno-Isle Food Co-op.
What is a hidden gem in your neighborhood?
Bayside P-Patch, the coffee shop in the Everett Public Library, DVD & movie checkout section of the Everett Public Library.
Any good quotes on volunteering or community building?
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” - Edward Everett Hale
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