• SPTTC is doing tournaments;
• Regular hours are ongoing at Seattle TTC and SPTTC.
• Green Lake has been open Tuesdays with a drop-in league; and Fridays are now starting 3/24/2023 with the end of basketball season.
• Chinatown has a packed fall schedule, 3 to 8 hours per day 6 days a week, with a $3 drop in fee, free for kids and seniors.
  
• Federal Way is back to full schedule Tuesdays and Saturdays.

  Please send me updates!

• Yes, TT has been rocking in the Northwest. Far from clubs closing, we have several clubs with great spaces and lots of hours, great support from the community and an active and growing community of players. You are invited to jump in -- you know you love it!
• Hey, get some coaching!
• A few places might seem intimidating or unwelcoming to garage players, but actually most places are super welcoming to self-declared beginners (I will call out Green Lake as especially so), because that's how you get great, by beginning!
• Green Lake TT is free on Tuesday night for League and open Friday night for open play outside basketball season.

Green Lake Weekend Table Tennis Rant

• The City of Seattle has practically shuttered a great regional resource, a 27-year program of weekend afternoon table tennis at Green Lake.

  Started in 1996 by Michael Wang, Philip and Karen Lam, Steffen Plistermann, and the Inimitable Lock Brothers, Raymond, Rodney, and Roscoe, the founders personally bought tables and equipment and made a deal with the city for Friday through Sunday afternoons/evenings. Friday 6-9, Saturday 5-9, and Sunday 4-9 was the schedule for decades.

  Initially Parks and Rec charged a nominal rental fee to this extremely informal club which worked as long as Karen Lam went around collecting the $3 drop-in fees. It was their mission, after all, to support community recreational opportunities.

  > After a decade or so Seattle thought the club might be saving money, so they incrementally raised the rent. We went to $4, and immediately lost half the headcount. Later, rent went up again, to the point we were indeed losing money and could not keep it up. Then the City said they'd just take over the operation as a City activity like the swimming pool or the pottery studio, collecting fees at the entrance counter, apparently expect more profitability.

  Somehow the city is happy for recreational activities to lose money, swimming can lose money, basketball and tennis and soccer can lose money, every program can lose money because they are taxpayer-supported public services of the Parks and Recreation department which has the mission of supporting city recreation; it's a pro-social thing, and a good reason to pay our taxes. But table tennis has to make money on weekends.

  So the next step in the dance was recently when the city changed policies during the Covid closure, first, to impose special-event rental rates designed for corporate events and weddings onto our every-single-weekend low-budget operation, and second, to require two city employee staff members on site for their new cash handling rules. Sure, that creates more employment for staff and is an easy policy for regularly, fully staffed weekday hours, but to impose doubled staffing fees on a shoestring, participant-run, weekend table tennis activity, which only needs the gym and bathroom doors unlocked and locked and the lights turned on and off, no more, is demanding corporate-level resources from group that can't support it.

  We are a smallish group of mostly fixed-income retirees and immigrants looking for economical, fun, social exercise. A teenager came in in a wheelchair, and found the support to become a national champion (Google Eric Pattison). Our diversity is so amazing, there are almost as many languages spoken as players in the gym; and Chief Seattle's own great great grand-nephew himself has been playing pingpong on weekends at Green Lake for 25 years.

  Green Lake has been distinctive among table tennis clubs for being especially welcoming to new players and having great conditions and enough tables and time for everyone to play plenty. More typical in our sport is a more intense, competitive, wait-long-play-briefly-wait-again-longer experience, which can be characteristic of the crowded small clubs around the country, which makes it relatively unfriendly and difficult to enter for newcomers, beginning learners, and the casual drop in player. You need a table to play, after all.

  Green Lake TTC has been a precious, invaluable, community-supporting resource for these 27 years, especially because of its great conditions, retiree-friendly lighting, easygoing and long open hours on the weekends, all supporting our friendly, devoted aficionadoes and welcoming teachers who get their exercise and maintain their health and social connection through this wonderful sport.

  But it seems the city has changed its view on its mission. Instead of finding a way to support us as part of their mission in support of community recreation, they see us f through the lens of a rigid, disqualifying, new ruleset and don't want us unless we satisfy their new, corporate income and staffing requirements.

  So it goes. The standards ratchet up, the bureaucratic flexibility ratchets down. and the lovely niche of Green Lake weekend table tennis, after 27 years of Parks and Rec community-supportive flexibility, seems to be about to be lost.

  If you have the ear of any Seattle politicians, the mayor, the city council, or others, please reach out to Kim, or me, and consider putting in a good word for Green Lake Weekend Table Tennis. Maybe the mission of Parks and Recreation, to support parks and recreation, will be reprioritized once again. Watch this space for updates.

  ---

  Casual / Unscheduled

  • Outdoor tables:
    • Greenwood Park, 8905 Fremont Ave N. (might not be opened yet)
    • Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave S (Chinatown) def has an outdoor table.
    • McGilvra Place, 1425 E Madison St. (Capitol Hill ish), has a concrete outdoor table.
    • I've heard rumors of many more, but no details. Email me with new locations!
  • Bars with a pingpong table:
    • Art Marble 21, 731 Westlake Ave N
    • Boxcar Ale House 3407 Gilman Ave W (Magnolia)
    • Lagetta Pub, 7305 Aurora Ave N.
    • The Roanoke 2409 10th Ave E.
    • SPIN Seattle (closed for a while during Covid)
    • Teddy's Tavern, 1025 NE 65th St. (Roosevelt. Table in the back.)
    • Waterwheel Lounge, 7034 15th Ave NW.
    • Zoo Tavern 2301 Eastlake Ave E.

  Weekly Schedule

  Day	Time	Type	Location
  Sun	2:00pm-8:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Sun	5:00pm-10:00pm	Open Play	Tacoma Table Tennis Club
  Mon	10:00am-11:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Mon	2:00pm-8:30pm	Open Hours	SPTTC
  Mon	3:00pm-5:00pm	Senior Free Play	Chinatown/ID
  Mon	6:00pm-8:30pm	Open Play	Chinatown/ID
  Mon	5:00pm-10:00pm	Open Play	Tacoma Table Tennis Club
  Mon	7:00pm-10:00pm	Open Play	University of Washington Husky TTC
  Tue	10:00am-11:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Tue	2:00pm-8:30pm	Open Hours	SPTTC
  Tue	3:00pm-5:00pm	Senior Free Play	Chinatown/ID
  Tue	5:00pm-10:00pm	Open Play	Tacoma Table Tennis Club
  Tue	6:00pm-9:00pm	Open Play (League restarted August 3 2021)	Federal Way TTC
  Tue	6:00pm-8:45pm	Kanban League	Green Lake TTC
  Wed	10:00am-11:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Wed	2:00pm-8:30pm	Open Hours	SPTTC
  Wed	3:00pm-5:00pm	Senior Free Play	Chinatown/ID
  Wed	5:00pm-10:00pm	Open Play	Tacoma Table Tennis Club
  Wed	6:00-8:30pm	Open Play	Chinatown/ID
  Thu	10:00am-11:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Thu	2:00pm-8:30pm	Open Hours	SPTTC
  Thu	5:00pm-10:00pm	Open Play	Tacoma Table Tennis Club
  Thu	7:00 - 10:00pm	Open Play (for members)	University of Washington Husky TTC
  Fri	10:00am-11:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Fri	3:00pm-5:00pm	Senior Free Play	Chinatown/ID
  Fri	4:00-6:00pm	Open Play	University of Washington Husky TTC
  Fri	2:00pm-8:30	Open Hours*	SPTTC
  Fri	5:00pm-5:45pm	2 tables by reservation	Bellevue/Crossroads (otherwise closed for Covid)
  Fri	6:00pm-6:45pm	2 tables by reservation	Bellevue/Crossroads (otherwise closed for Covid)
  Fri	6:00pm-9:00pm	Open Play	Green Lake TTC (was closed for Covid and during basketball season; reopening 3/24/2023)
  Fri	6:00pm-8:30pm	Open Play	Chinatown/ID
  Sat	12:00pm-8:30pm	Open Play	SPTTC
  Sat	10:00am-11:00pm	Open Hours	Seattle TTC (Everett)
  Sat	1:00pm-4:30pm	Open Hours	Chinatown/ID
  Sat	2:00pm-5:00pm	Open Play	Federal Way TTC

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  Locations

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  Seattle Pacific Table Tennis Club

  Address:	13249 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98005.
  Contact:	Office Number 425-644-7833; also 206-922-9282
  Notes:	Cost: $16 drop-in fee. Monthly and annual fees for a discount. Schedule: Monday-Saturday to 8:30pm. See spttc.net for details. M-F 2-8:30 Sat 12-8:30 Sun closed. Up to 10 tables. The junior program is amazing. Great coaching available from Coach Judy. A world class table tennis club in Bellevue; please support it! * Open Hours at SPTTC are primarily for structured training or lessons; Open Play is for drop in play. Vince runs the league; Jerry is there weekdays. Best times are after 4pm. Junior program only is a camp; no junior program after Covid.

  Tacoma Table Tennis Club

  Phased Opening after Covid. First, news: the old church burned down in an arson attack. Second, we were at the Buddhist Temple for a couple months. Third, we were at the YMCA for a time. Then, July 2022, TTTC opened at the Andercaf Center, their new building off South tacoma way in Lakewood. Congratulations!! This is a big green building behind the apartment complex. Open hours are Sunday through Thursday night 5pm-10pm. Henry Blankenship is president and says, Never go to the bathroom when people are voting. Tacoma TTC has announced a Senior games tournament June 10-11, 2023. Please participate. There are 8-10 tables; cost is $5 for a drop in, $40/month with access during all club hours. Many thanks to the TTTC leader, Chris, for developing the new site in Lakewood. Please show your support. Oldest Address: United Lutheran Church 1231 So. 76th Street (at Sheridan) Old Address: Buddhist Temple in Tacoma, temporarily during a few months during Covid. Previous Address: Tacoma Center YMCA 1144 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402 New and Current Address: 3623 112th Street SW Lakewood WA 98499 (Big green building, behind the apartment complex.) Contacts: Scott Newsome 360-918-1266 (and scott.newsome@gmail.com) Dan 253-537-1525 or Bud 253-588-4377 or Phuong Bui 253-576-3726 Lam Son Do 253-392-7506 Henry Blankenship (USATT Certified Instructor) 702-544-2338 Notes: Cost: $5 drop in fee or $40/month membership. 8-10 tables. Good floors and lighting. Friendly and welcoming to newcomers. Usually 8-10 serious players averaging 35-40 years of age. Call Henry, Dan or Bud for details. Chinatown Community Center in the International District near downtown Seattle Open for many sessions six day a week during fall 2020 (September 1 to December 30). Weekdays 11:30am-2:30pm. MWF 5:30pm-8:30pm, Saturday 1:00pm-4:30pm. Free senior schedule TBA. KIDS PLAY FREE! Up to 16 at a time, reserve & pay on line. Fees are: basically, $3, but $2 if over 65, free if under 18, and free senior sessions 2x/week. Address: Chinatown Community Center 719 8th Ave S, Seattle WA 98104 Contact: (206)233-0042 | TDD (206)233-7061 Reservations: Visit seattle.gov/parks Make an account, log in, click "Sign up for Classes", click Activities, search for "table", make a $3 reservation. Directions: On line Make an account at seattle.gov/parks; Log in; click on box saying "Sign up for Activities, Classes & More"; click "Activities" (the picture box not the menu bar item); search for "table" (not "table tennis"); Make a reservation; pay; Go! From I-5 NORTHBOUND Take the Dearborn St./James St./I-90 E/Madison St. (exit #164A) Take the Dearborn St. Exit Turn Left on S Dearborn St Turn Right on 8TH Ave S From I-5 SOUTHBOUND Take the Dearborn St./I-90 East/4th Ave. S. exit towards Airport Way/Bellevue/Spokane (exit #164) Take the Dearborn St. Exit Turn Right on S Dearborn St Turn Right on 8th Ave S Notes: Cost: $3 per session Husky TTC At the University of Washington Address: IMA Gym B Also rec pingpong at the Husky Union Building, HUB Games Area, HUB 40B University of Washington Seattle WA Contact Person: President: Andy Overton, aoverton@u.washington.edu Vice President: Evan Xu, zihengxu@u.washington.edu Web Master: Akeem Jenkins, goten@u.washington.edu Web Site: http://students.washington.edu/uwttc Directions: Turn Left on NE 45th St. Turn Right on 15th Ave Turn Left on Stevens Way Head Straight on Stevens Way until you see HUB on your left. Find Parking in any designated parking area at the UW. Enter anywhere but go down all the way to the HUB basement. Notes: Cost: $1.00 for Members ($5/quarter) or Guests; $2 for Visitors. Number of tables: 4 to 7. Bellevue/Crossroads Gym is closed for Covid. Game room has 2 tables available by (phone) reservation Friday 5:00-5:45 and 6:00-6:45. Address: Crossroad Community Center 16000 NE 10th Avenue Bellevue, WA 98008 Contact: Counter staff 425-452-4874 (H) Directions: Take I-405 to Bellevue and Exit at NE 8th St (one of the main exits for downtown Bellevue) Proceed East on NE 8th St. several miles to 160th Ave NE just past Crossroads Mall, Turn left on 160th Ave NE and go to the end of the street entering the community center parking lot. Alternative directions: Take I-520 east to 148th Ave NE, proceed South. Turn East either immediately on NE 24th St., or after a few lights on NE 8th St. From NE 24th St., turn South on 156th Ave NE, then East on NE 8th St. From NE 8th St., then, continue East to 160th Ave NE, just past Crossroads Mall, turn left and go to the end of the street, entering the community center parking lot, which is adjacent to and behind the mall and its parking lots. Or (from I-5 via I-90) From I-5 take I-90 E. Go 8.97 miles. Take the 148TH AVE. S.E. exit (exit number 11B) toward BELLEVUE COLLEGE. Go 0.71 miles Stay straight to go onto 148TH AVE SE. Continue 2.22 miles. Turn RIGHT onto NE 8TH ST. Continue 1.00 miles. Just past Crossroads Mall, Turn LEFT onto 160TH AVE NE, and go to the end of the street, entering the community center parking lot, which is adjacent to and behind the mall and its parking lots. Everett Senior Center Closed indefinitely. But perhaps due to Covid. Address: Everett Senior Center 3025 Lombard Everett WA 98201 Located at Pacific and Broadway in Everett, just behind the Days Inn. Contact: Everett Senior Center 425-257-8780. Notes: Age Requirement: You have to be 50 or older. Sorry kids. Cost: Free to join the Senior Center, $1 drop in fee. Up to 25 players show up. 5 butterfly tables! Federal Way Table Tennis Club Was closed for Covid, but reopened in early August 2021 for Tuesday Night League and Saturday 2-5pm. Address: 876 S 333rd St. Federal Way, WA 98063 Contact Person: Directions: itallhappenshere.org / directions.html for website and directions/map. Green Lake TTC Closed for Covid. As of mid-August 2020, due to rapidly changing predictions, we don't even know when we'll know but maybe in September or October we'll have an idea. Address: Green Lake Community Center & Evans Pool Recreation Complex 7201 E. Green Lake Drive North Seattle, WA 98115 Contact Person: GLCC Counter Staff 206-684-0780 Kim Goldov, President, 206-979-9752 Club website: glttc.org. Sign Up: seattle.gov/parks, log in, click Activities, type "table", sign up. Directions: exit from I-5 at Ravenna, proceed NorthWest on Ravenna until you run into the park. Now you're looking at the community center. To get there, turn right, following the edge of the park (That's E Green Lake Way N) Proceed to the first possible left turn which is also the first light, turn left. You will find yourself in the community center parking lot. If parking is full, use nearby street parking (go one block up Latona and turn left or go straight, usually you can find something there). Knock on the side door of the gym and someone will let you in. Seattle Table Tennis Club (in Everett) Open. Coach Jin appreciates your support. Address: 11520 Airport Road Bldg E Everett, WA 98204 Contact Person: Coach Jin 425-772-3722 Directions: From East side take 405 north, crossing I-5 as 405 becomes 525. From the West side, take I-5 north past Seattle. Just after Alderwood Mall at the 405 intersection take the 525 exit (northbound). After continuing 2+ miles on 525, take the exit to turn right (northbound) on Highway 99. After 1+ miles on 99, turn left (Northwesterly) at the Home Depot corner on Airport Road. After Tacoma Screw turn left into the driveway into the industrial park, and look for Building E. Perfect! Copyright © 2001-2021 Thomas C. Veatch. Send me a text if you discover any errors.