By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Residents may be ever vigilant about protecting their neighborhood but they also like to have a good time. Every Halloween, students at McGilvra Elementary carve pumpkins and put them outside local shops, which return the favor by participating in neighborhood trick-or-treating.

And July 12 is the annual children's parade and picnic in the park from 12:30-2 p.m. Merchants will supply free pies, hot dogs and drinks, says Lynne Parrott, president of the Madison Park Business Association and general manager of the Yankee Peddler apparel store.

Sack races and a water balloon toss also are planned, though the annual water balloon event often sparks a friendly water fight, Parrott says.

The family event is preceded by a two-day art walk and sidewalk sale.

"This is a very tight neighborhood," says Parrott. "It's so nice to have a store down here. We know so many customers' names and we see the same people each day on the street. It's like a village."

Not only is knowing people's names important, but in the case of The Madison Park Cafe, owners Karen Binder and Peggy Stamm know what their customers like to eat.

One longtime customer had a breakfast named in her honor. And when the cafe's oldest customer passed away, "we all went to her memorial service," Binder says.

The 18-year-old cafe is the longest-running restaurant in Madison Park and was first in offering espresso drinks, according to Binder. Now there are 11 places that do, including a Tully's and a Starbucks, she says.

Continued:

• 'A village within the city'
• Expensive homes, clubs are part of lifestyle here
• Well-educated populace involved in schools and community