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Finally! Help for our ailing sewage and storm water infrastructure!

Posted: April 2, 2011

Broadview residents, please come out to the meeting with SPU this coming week. Wednesday night, April 6th starting at 6 p.m. at the Lutheran Memorial Church. Seattle Public Utilities will be speaking to our community about the new focus of capital budget funding for our area. They will discuss their short and long term plans to address Broadview’s sewage and storm water overflow problems.

The SPU team will be on hand at 6 p.m., with a kiosk format, to discuss answer questions on a range of subjects. The meeting will formally start at 6:30. At the end there will be a panel discussion and Q and A.

Please come to this meeting and bring a neighbor or two; for us to solve these infrastructure problems will require that we work together on behalf of Broadview.

We have waited a long time for a commitment from the City. Let’s hear that they have to say. Please check it out on Wednesday night.

Happiness on a rainy Seattle day

by Susan George

Updated: March 31, 2011

Tired of our extended gray days in Seattle?…..rain…..more rain. Here’s a solution – my daughter and I recently took a pie making class at Dish it up! in Ballard. Here’s the link to a great video: Sisters of pies

It is on the website of Art of the Pie.

The teacher was Kate McDermott. Her website and video brings me such joy that I thought I would share it with you. Go make a pie…There is enough info on pie making on the website you don’t have to take her class. But if you ever get a chance to take a class…meeting her will be worth the price of admission.

Home invasion Burglary shots fired on 135th and 3rd Avenue NW

by Will Murray

Updated: March 27, 2011

The Seattle Police Department blotter reports:

“On March 25th at approximately 11:53 a.m. officers responded to 911 calls of a male subject armed with a rifle firing numerous rounds at another subject in the middle of the street in the 13500 block of 3rd Avenue NW. Officers arriving on scene located and detained an adult male subject who was later determined to have been in possession of a rifle (the rifle was found nearby lying on the ground).

Information and evidence indicates that this was a medical marijuana dispensary. Medical marijuana dispensaries are not legal in the State of Washington.”

http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2011/03/25/home-invasion-burglary-interrupted-shots-fired/

Neighbors reported that Broadview Thompson elementary was placed into lock down mode because of suspects at large.

Komo news report:

http://northseattle.komonews.com/news/crime/update-2-arrested-2-large-after-interrupted-burglary-3rd-ave-nw/630770

Staying in touch outside of Broadview Community!

by Dale Johnson

Updated: March 25, 2011

On behalf of our Broadview Community Council members I attended two meetings this week. One meeting was our Northwest District Council on Wednesday evening at the Greenwood Senior Center and the other was the Seattle Community Council Federation meeting, held at the NOAA headquarters on Lake Union Thursday evening. Both of these organizations are integral to providing platforms for learning about events and issues that affect our daily lives.

NORTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL (nwdistrictcouncil.org): The recent reorganization of this group adds more neighboring communities. Also, there is a new Department of Neighborhoods (DON) staff person providing support by the name of Rob Mattson. The highlight of the March meeting was to review a list of eight projects submitted for funding through the 2011 Neighborhood Projects Fund in our District. We reviewed each project and set a date of April 22 by which time each voting organization must submit three projects for funding to DON. If any reader wants to discuss these projects, please contact me (patamccoy@gmail.com). There are currently about 16 member organizations on this group, however, many were not represented at the meeting. I’m planning to contact those in our Broadview/Bitter Lake area and provide them with voting information. Please check out the NWDC web site if you want more background information.

SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION (seattlefederation.blogspot.com): Check out the web site if you’d like to see agendas on a regular basis. This group meets on third Thursdays at the headquarters of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last night’s meeting was a real eye opener. I’ve got a stack of literature on HANFORD CHALLENGE (hanfordchallenge.org) and the main speaker was Tom Carpenter, Executive Director. Tom is a lawyer who represents nuclear whistle blowers. Frankly, I had NO idea about any of this but the situation in Japan prompted the Chair to arrange for this program. Here’s just one quote regarding the Hanford site:

“Every gram of plutonium results in one ton of nuclear waste. There are 53 million

gallons of nuclear waste in 177 underground waste tanks. Waste lives for about 300 years. It

can’t be made harmless. These tanks were to last 20 years but they are way beyond their

design life. Japan’s waste storage system was well designed. The Hanford system is only

moderately well designed.”

There is an event on Tuesday night you may want to attend to learn more entitled “What is the State of the Hanford Nuclear Waste Site?” It will be in the Olympic Room within the Northwest Buildings at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, from 6-9:30 p.m. March 29.

The other speaker was Mike McCormick (labwatch.org) who talked about the continuing proliferation of high-containment biolabs in Seattle and why citizen oversight remains critical to our safety. He urges that citizens need to be informed about the potential uses of these facilities and have a say as to whether they want them located in their neighborhoods and city without adequate safeguards. Check the site for more information.

Spring Blooms in Broadview

by Sue Jensen

Posted: March 23, 2011

Sunday, March 20th, was the equinox and first official day of spring, but today we really felt it. The signs were everywhere: blue skies, sun and shadows! The temperature is nearly 60 degrees. Bugs and bird song abound, cats curled up in sunny spots and the dog rolling in the grass. I see the welcome blooms of daffodils, primroses, hellebores pieris, viburnums and especially, the heady scent of Daphne by the front door.

Ah, spring, beckoning us outside again after weeks of gray and rain. Working in the front yard, pruning, turning the soil and weeding, I get a chance to socialize, catching up with the neighbors and kids on the block. My energy rises and I burst out in the usual ambitious ‘To Do’ lists of spring. Topping my list this week:
• Veggie garden: add the compost and chicken manure and turn the soil. The peas are planted but I want to get the hardy early season seeds and starts– lettuces, radishes, bok choy and onions– in the ground soon. I can harvest my winter greens and purple spouting broccoli is nearly ready! Best to wait till the soil is warm in May or early June to plant warm season crops like tomatoes, peppers, beans, basil and cucumbers.
• Chickens! We are joining the urban homestead movement and are getting 3 sweet chicks from another Broadview friend in a couple weeks. So, we need to get going on that chicken coop and fencing this weekend. A Google search leads to hundreds of inspiring chicken coop examples and plans online. We need to find one we can adapt to fit our space, budget and carpentry skills.
• Roses: prune back the dead tips, remove the crossing branches, careful to leave the cuts clean with the next growing bud facing in the direction you want it to grow.
• Fill in the bare spots: the early November freeze killed a few plants, making way for bare ground I can fill with new garden favorites. I’ve got new dahlias, heathers, fancy heucheras, carex and primroses to pop in the ground and spring pots to fill.
• Share and mentor: a call to gardeners to make an effort to meet with new gardening friends to share the garden knowledge and enthusiasm you’ve gleaned over the years. Saturday, my son stopped by with questions on compost and worm bins, and left with some raspberry starts to plant in his Fremont garden. This weekend we’ll visit friends with the new home and garden to offer advice and planning tips, then share a meal. Lots of other opportunities to share nearby, with the new Bitter Lake P-Patch garden going in and the Viewlands School design team interested in planning for school yard gardens too!
Heading outside to get my hands dirty . . . . .
Next posting: a report on sustainable practices we can adopt in our gardens.

West Coast Wellness Opens on Greenwood Avenue North

by Will Murray

Updated: March 22, 2011

Greenwood Avenue North and 143rd

West Coast Wellness opened last month at 14314 Greenwood Avenue North in the old Tiger’s Sports Bar location. West Coast Wellness is one of over 15 medical marijuana dispensaries that have opened in Seattle. According to the Washington State Medical Use of Marijuana Act Ch 69.51A RCW …qualifying patients may fully participate in the medical use of marijuana, and designated providers may assist patients in the manner provided by this act without fear of state criminal prosecution. [2007 c371 S 1.]http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.51a&full=true

This morning during our interview Co-founder David Jablinske of West Coast Wellness stated, ” We are trying to make a difference in the whole community”. David also mentioned this morning that traffic at his non profit organization has been slow his first month as they provide medical marijuana to patients with terminal and debilitating ilnesses and have been accepting donations for a local food bank.

To read more about dispensaries from the Seattle Times:

Pot dispensaries sprouting statewide

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014078275_marijuana30m.html

Broadview Spring Cleaning- Seattle- Sponsored Neighborhood Cleanup

by Susan George

Posted: March 18, 2011

Seattle neighborhoods

It’s Time for Spring Clean

City-Sponsored Neighborhood Cleanup Runs April – May

SEATTLE — Spring has arrived and Seattleites are gearing up to take part in the city’s longest-running neighborhood cleanup program – Spring Clean.

Spring Clean, now in its 25^th year, runs from April through May. Last year saw more than 20,000 volunteer hours dedicated to making Seattle a more livable city.

Spring Clean activities include painting out graffiti, picking up litter and illegally dumped materials, stenciling storm drains, cleaning school yards, removing invasive plants in planting strips and traffic circles, and planting trees. All projects are conducted on public property.

The City of Seattle supports volunteers with FREE bags, gloves, safety vests, and waste disposal. Spring Clean information, including neighborhood cleanup activities and sign-up packets, is available by calling 206-233-7187 or by visiting www.seattle.gov/util/springclean.

Spring Clean is a partnership between Seattle residents and Seattle Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Neighborhoods, and the Seattle Department of Transportation.

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at: www.seattle.gov/util.

In addition to providing a reliable water supply to more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area, SPU provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region’s environmental resources.

Contact:	Gretchen Muller, 206-684-0570, gretchen.muller@seattle.gov
	Michael May, 206-684-8056, michael.may@seattle.gov

Broadview Viewlands School has a New Principal.

by Susan George

Updated: March 18, 2011

Dear families and students of Viewlands Elementary School,

It is with great enthusiasm that I write my first letter to you. I am very excited about being your principal and I look forward to working with you to create a wonderful learning community that reflects your hopes, dreams and expectations for your child’s educational experience.

I bring many years of experience in public schools as a teacher and an administrator. I have devoted my life to education as I believe it is the most important work I can do. I believe in educating the whole child so that we have strong balanced leaders to move us forward into a sustainable future. My favorite moments are visiting classrooms and participating in activities or teaching mini-lessons. I am always amazed at the magic created in the classroom through the interactions between a student and a teacher.

I have a strong background in elementary education, special education and bilingual education. I look forward to sharing my expertise with an exceptional staff to ensure the success of all children at Viewlands Elementary School. I am known as a collaborative and compassionate leader and I believe the partnership between families and communities are critical for the success of our children.

As the mother of four children and the proud grandmother of a 20 month old granddaughter, I can honestly say I understand the importance of having a safe, positive school environment with a strong academic program. I can assure you that we will work very hard to create the school community we all envision for our children.

I am planning a time that we can get together and actually meet face to face this spring. Stay tuned for details on our first “get together.” I look forward to meeting you!

Take care. Lisa Escobar

A letter from Susan Enfield, Ed.D.,Interim Superintendent

I believe that Ms. Escobar will make an excellent match for the Viewlands learning community, given her extensive classroom experience and strong educational leadership. Ms. Escobar has been an administrator in the Seattle Public Schools since 2004. She has been a principal at Nova, The Center School and is currently co-principal at Rainier Beach High School. Her administrative experience also includes an elementary school principalship and assistant principal positions at the middle school level. Ms. Escobar is known as a creative and compassionate leader who is passionate about children. She is a “hands on” principal who believes in educating the whole child. She is an effective instructional leader that has high expectations yet works collaboratively with her staff to deliver an innovative, child-centered curriculum. She believes strongly in the involvement of family and community partnerships to create a rich educational program where all students thrive.

In addition to her service with Seattle Public Schools, she has been a classroom teacher at schools in Issaquah and districts in California. Ms. Escobar taught general, special and bilingual education for several years at the elementary and secondary level and did her administrative internship at an elementary school. She has a strong background in health, biology and chemistry with a passion for environmental science. She believes strongly in creating a healthy school environment where students cultivate a love of learning and an awareness of their impact on the world around them.

Ms. Escobar received her degree in health science with minors in chemistry and biology from Chico State University, California. She has a master’s degree in special education from San Jose State University, where her focus was on engaging Spanish-speaking parents in the IEP (individualized education program) process. She received her administrative credential from Chico State.

I look forward to working with Ms. Escobar to build a positive learning community at Viewlands that supports the success of all students. She will be in touch with you to set up opportunities to meet and get to know her, and to be involved in planning for a very successful program.

Christ The King School Holds Open House

by Michelle

Updated: March 17, 2011

Christ the King Catholic School located in the Broadview Neighborhood is holding an Open House on April 5th, 2011. Come visit and tour between 9:00 – 10:00am and 1:00 – 2:00pm. The Open House is for grades Preschool through 8th!

You can find out more information by viewing the Christ the King website.

www.ckseattle.org <http://www.ckseattle.org/>

206-364-6890

North 117th & Dayton (1 block east of Greenwood Avenue)

Broadview rain storm March 14, 2011

by Susan George

Updated: March 14, 2011

Our recent overnight rain storm resulted in outside damages. If you haven’t already, be sure to check your basements and around the outside of your residence for water intrusion. A very important meeting with SPU is coming up on April 6^th from 6 to 8 pm at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. SPU is beginning a capital project to address flooding and sewer backups in Broadview. This is a big project and they need our input. Please attend. As a reminder, I will be posting the event again on the Broadview Blog on April 1^{st .}

Correction on video that was 120^th ravine to the park.

^{Thank you SPU for getting out here so quickly.}