New Sidewalk on N 125th St.

Doug Cox, Associate Planner, Multimodal Program & Project Group, SDOT Traffic Management Division notified the Broadview Community Council (BCC) of a project to build a new sidewalk.  Below is from his email message”

“I am eager to share the news with you that in 2011, SDOT plans to build another sidewalk in your area…this time on the north side of N 125th Street, connecting Greenwood Ave N with the Interurban Trail!

At this point we are beginning work on the design, and we expect to have some pretty detailed plans, cost estimates & other info by the end of January.  The project is part of SDOT’s Sidewalk Development Program, which builds new sidewalks throughout the city each year thanks to funding from the Bridging the Gap levy passed by the voters in 2006.

I understand that you applied for NSF funds to have this project built, but that it was not selected.  Thankfully it is a priority in the Pedestrian Master Plan (which we use to select projects for the sidewalk development program), so it has another avenue for becoming a reality.”

 At the Nov. 16  BCC meeting local residents noted that survey work was being done on N 125th.  Now we know why.  Because this street segment is a corridor to both the #5 bus on Greenwood and the #358 bus on Aurora, having a safer way to walk to transit is welcome.

Keeping it Simple–Holiday Edition,Part 1

This September, Cecile Andrews, a Seattle resident, author and leader in the Voluntary Simplicity Movement, spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the Broadview Community Council meeting. She’s an engaging speaker and presented lots of ideas to build community and to encourage happiness and meaning in our lives.

Well, we turned our calendars to December this week. Hanukkah has started and Christmas is just three weeks away! I mentally started my do-lists, plans for holiday events, ask when do we start the decorating and gosh, what about the gifts and cards? Did your heartbeat just start to race too?

That’s when I took the dog out for a walk, and thought about Cecile’s message: research has shown that our national happiness rate has dropped because people have less time for their social networks, friends and families. How can we keep centered and focused on happiness, joy, our families, friends and communities in a meaningful and less stressful way? Back from my walk, refreshed by the exercise and views of distant snow capped Olympics, here are some ideas I’d like to share. This is an interactive blog site—please reply with your comments and ideas too!

Holiday gatherings

Gatherings can be fun, build community and strengthen family ties, but also suck up a lot of your time, energy and expense. Someone suggested an easy way to simplify– avoid hosting events and enjoy being a guest. But if it’s your turn to host a dinner or you enjoy throwing a party, here are some ideas to keep it simple:

  • Simplify the menu, make it memorable and tasty but not complex.
  • Make it a pot luck, inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or dessert.
  • Instead of a full party dinner, try a brunch, hor d’oeurve or dessert party.
  • Ask for help with the cooking—consider the extra time with family/friends a bonus.
  • If you need a little help with housework, cooking or serving, trade help with a friend or pay a  teen who could use some holiday spending money.
  • Instead of hosting a full party, you can plan a gathering with friends around a free holiday event, and then meet afterwards for cookies, coffee or hot cider or other warm beverages.  I have two favorite events this season I like to share with friends/family.
  1. Enjoy the lighted Christmas ships and caroling at the Ballard Locks or Golden Garden bonfires (December 15th). Other dates, times and information can be found online.
  2. Wrap up and stroll the wonderful Pathway of Lights around Greenlake, the evening of Saturday December 11th. The entire lake path is brightened with candles, musicians and carolers from about 4:30 – 7:30 pm. Warning: this can get really crowded on a clear night. Best leave your dog at home.

Parts 2 & 3 will cover Decorating and Gifts/Giving.

Venema Natural Drainage Project

Seattle Public Utilities invites you to a public meeting for the Venema Natural Drainage Project

 

 What is the purpose of the meeting?

We invite you to come and hear updates on the current status, design, and schedule of the project. It will be a good opportunity to meet design team members; they can answer your questions about the project. Our landscape architect will also be available to talk about plant selection. 

 Why is the project important?

This project helps promote water quality in Venema Creek and Puget Sound by cleaning and slowing stormwater that carries pollutants from roads and residential neighborhoods.

TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. DATE: Wednesday,  December 8    LOCATION: Bitter Lake Community Center 13035 Linden Ave N, 98133

Reindeer Festival at Swanson’s Nursery

Looking for some local holiday fun for the family?  Check out the Reindeer Festival at Swanson’s.  From now until December 24th, you can view the reindeer Dasher and Blitzen.  There is also an opportunity to take pictures with the reindeer, just bring your own camera!  In addition to the reindeer, Curly the camel and Moe the miniature donkey will be there.  Watch them frolic and play.

On December 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Santa will be at there for professional portrait photos by Brahm of Bonjour Photography,  A reservation is not required, but get there early as the lines tend to get long.  While you are waiting for Santa, enjoy some refreshments, or check out the Holiday Train display.

If you are hungry for breakfast or lunch, stop by the Garden Café.  Enjoy a cup of Café Vita coffee while munching on a homemade dessert.  Check out the Koi Pond – always a draw for kids.  Be sure to check out Swanson’s website at http://www.swansonsnursery.com.

Family Multicultural Dinner and Concert

The Bitter Lake Community Center is holding its 3rd annual multicultural dinner and concert event on Friday, December 10. Join in for food and fun. Enjoy food and music from around the world. Learn about the many cultures of our neighborhood and our world! If you are interested in submitting a recipe or share cultural games or information please call Bitter Lake Community Center at 206-684-7524.
Location: Bitter Lake C.C., 13035 Linden Ave. N

Fri., 12/10 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Activity Fee: $5 per family

Free Trees for Your Yard

Despite the very cold weather the past few days, ideal tree planting time is nearly upon us! Seattle reLeaf is offering free trees for your yard! Details are below.

The Seattle reLeaf Trees for Neighborhoods program is pleased to offer you free trees to plant in your yard. Planting trees is a great way to lower your carbon footprint. An average city tree will absorb about a ton of harmful carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Urban trees also help keep our water clean, our air breathable, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife and make Seattle a vibrant place to live and work.

Tree supply is limited, so it is first come, first served. Applications will not be accepted after Dec 6. Program participants will receive up to 4 free trees per household, watering bags, a bag of GroCo compost, and training on proper tree planting and care.

Available species include:

Shore pine (Pinus contorta ‘Contorta’)

Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

Red oak (Quercus rubra)

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata ‘Excelsa’)

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

To receive a free tree, you must meet these guidelines:

Live in Seattle, and plant the tree on your property (renters must have their landlord’s permission)

Plant the trees in your yard, and not as street trees

Do NOT plant the trees under power lines (these are large trees that will eventually grow into the lines)

Commit to caring for the tree in the future, including watering for the first 3 summers

To get your trees, send in the application ASAP.

Questions can be directed to: 
Jana Dilley 
Seattle reLeaf

jana.dilley@seattle.gov

206-615-1668

Take the Transit Survey

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is updating its Transit Master Plan.  The current plan, dating from 2005, is getting out date, as evidenced by its inclusion of the Monorail to Ballard that didn’t happen. 

Planners are seeking input from the public via an online survey.  Unless members of the public — both those who use transit and those who don’t — give their views, the planners will be operating in the dark.  You can complete the brief survey here.  Go ahead, shed some light!

Broadview Thomson Teacher Named a ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

BELLEVUE, Wash. — (Nov. 17, 2010) — Symetra Financial and the Seattle Seahawks honored Broadview Thomson K-8 teacher Carole Lynch as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” today during a special faculty meeting at the school, where she teaches fifth grade.

 “Mrs. Lynch is my child’s hero as well as my hero,” said Teresa Caraveo, a Broadview Thomson student’s parent. “This very special teacher gives her heart and soul to all of her students, dedicating time above and beyond regular school hours to help them understand and even love math. She arms them with the tools they need not only to learn and grow, but also to be responsible for themselves. She is a gift to all of us.” Caraveo and a former student nominated Lynch for her Symetra Hero in the Classroom award.

 Lynch is one of 24 K-12 teachers across the Puget Sound area that will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2010 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations. In addition, they receive tickets to a Seahawks home game and are acknowledged during on-field presentations at Qwest Field. Lynch will be recognized at the Dec. 5 game when the Seahawks take on the Carolina Panthers.

Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student’s parent. The winners are selected based on their ability to balance the core curriculum with students’ individual needs; build trust among students, parents and the community; and invest in their students’ long-term success.

 In addition to honoring exceptional teachers on and off the field, each of the schools represented by a 2010 teacher Hero will be eligible for an MVP Award, which provides funding to enhance learning in Seattle-area schools. Three $10,000 grants will be awarded at the end of the 2010 football season.

 More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at www.symetra.com/heroes

About Symetra

Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.

Broadview SDOT Project Links

It was great to hear from Peter Hahn, Director of Seattle Department of Transportion at our Broadview Community Council on Tuesday November 16.  Below are links to the projects that were discussed  as well as links to some of SDOT programs.

Linden Avenue North Complete Streets Project

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/linden.htm

 Aurora Traffic Safety Project

http://www.seattle.gov/aurora

 North 143rd Street Safety Improvement Project

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/btg_nsf_large_143.htm

 Neighborhood Traffic Operations (Traffic Calming – speed bumps, traffic circles, radar speed signs, chicanes, etc).  Also attached to this email message is a PDF detailing the painted intersection process that was briefly discussed at the meeting.

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/neighborhoodtraffic.htm

 Crosswalk Requests and Evaluation Criteria

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/MarkedCrosswalks.htm

 Sidewalk Development Program

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/btg_newsidewalks.htm

 Community grants available for transportation improvement projects including sidewalks

Neighborhood Projects Fund (projects up to $90k)

http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/btgnsfcrf/

 Large Neighborhood Street Fund (generally funds projects up to $500k)

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/btg_nsf.htm

  If you have any questions about the these projects or programs email  Jim Curtin at  jim.curtin@seattle.gov.  Also keep in mind that Jim Curtin at SDOT is to connect residents and communities with the services offered by SDOT.  He can assist in the development of proposals for pedestrian safety, traffic calming and other transportation-related improvements and help write proposals for community grants.