The new documentary “Nickelsville” will be screened for the first time Friday, April 23, 7pm, at the University Congregational United Church of Christ. The church is located at 4515 45th Avenue NE. Peggy Hotes, the liaison between Veterans for Peace Chapter 92 and Nickelsville, the roving homeless encampment many associate with the pink dome tents, created the film. The film will include the incidents when the tent city landed four times in West Seattle with still photographs and possibly some video footage.

The first appearance of the encampment in West Seattle, which was named after then Mayor Greg Nickels to embarrass him for his homeless policies that some homeless advocates believed fell short, came Sept. 22, 2008. They were evicted.

About 80 homeless encampment residents, or “Nickelodeons,” were also evicted July 23, 2009 from a vacant lot off of West Marginal Way under Gov. Gregoire’s orders, as it was state land. Volunteers with U-Haul type trucks then secretly moved Nickelsville to Terminal 107 Park, owned by the Port of Seattle, about two miles north on West Marginal Way. Port police evicted them Sept. 30 and they have not returned to West Seattle.

Churches in and around Seattle invite the encampment to stay for about 100 days, and then they choose to move on to a new church lot. Residents’ hope is to one day acquire aa permanent location. Colleagues of Hotes told the West Seattle Herald they are mildly optimistic with Mayor McGinn, but feel he has so far hesitated to make meaningful change in the lives of Seattle’s homeless people.

Ion Gardescu, 47, who said his grandfather was from Transylvania, is unemployed and has been a “Nickelodeon” for eight months. Nickelsville is now on Yesler and 23rd. He helped Hotes with the film.

“We have about $2000 in debt every month at Nickelsville,” said Hotes.

Donations are $12 at the door.