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Stone Ave. N Site Considered for Homeless Camp

Updated: October 27, 2010

According to an article in the Seattle Times a citizens panel appointed by Mayor McGinn recommends that Seattle put a permanent homeless encampment on city land within a month. Mayor McGinn’s staff has sent a list of seven possible city-owned sites that are large enought for an camp of 100 to 150 people. One of those is 12098 Stone Ave. N. The site is owned and used by the Seattle Department of Transportation. The citizens panel will give feedback to the mayor.

Closure of Carkeek Park’s Environmental Learning Center

by Susan George

Posted: October 22, 2010

Dear Neighbors & Park Users

We felt it important that you know of the impending changes in our neighborhood.
The Mayor is proposing serious budget cuts which, if passed, will have an especially adverse affect on our community. Most significantly, his proposed 2011 budget recommends over $10 million in cuts to Seattle Parks & Recreation, including the loss of approximately 100 full time staff.

We, the the Carkeek Park Advisory Council, are writing to specifically to inform you that the Mayor proposes the closure of Carkeek Park’s Environmental Learning Center and canceling all the public programs housed there.

The proposed change for Carkeek Park is that it will lose all of its day staff, which means both of the park’s buildings – including the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) building – will be closed for the foreseeable future. The ELC building is a certified green structure and is an essential hub of environmental education and community throughout Seattle. It is outfitted with rain catchment and solar panel systems and was awarded a LEED Gold Award in 2003 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Under the Mayor’s current proposal, all public programming run through the ELC building will cease. Salmon Stewardship, Master Foresters, Beach Docents, Tot Treks/Tyke Hikes, environmental classes, and the like will shut down. (The ELC would remain open for private rentals, however.)

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The Carkeek Park Advisory Council (CPAC) is a volunteer group that meets monthly to coordinate various school and summer educational programs and support the volunteer working groups that help maintain the trails and historic Piper’s Orchard. This is achieved through the activities of both volunteers and Parks staff. CPAC is working with Seattle Parks to find ways to maintain all of these programs in the absence of the local Parks staff. Seattle’s two other ELCs, Discovery Park and Camp Long, will also lose their public programs although they are impacted to a lesser degree as they will remain open during the day, albeit with fewer staff. The three Park Advisory Councils have recently met to discuss ways to share their reduced resources to help deliver efficient school educational programs and summer camps. Many more discussions will be needed over the coming months as the Parks Department works out how it will manage Seattle’s parks, community centers (see below) and the ELCs.

CPAC has expressed much concern over the closure of the Carkeek Park buildings, not least because of the use by neighbors of all ages for information and educational purposes. Seattle Parks have assured us that some grounds maintenance staff will still remain at Carkeek and will have a presence each day. Other options are also being considered but nothing is likely to be decided until the budget has been approved at the end of the year.

VOICE YOUR CONCERN:
If you are concerned about these changes to your beloved parks and neighborhood, please express your concern or provide constructive suggestions to the City through the links at:

http://www.seattle.gov/council/budget/ (see the options under the “Feedback” section on the left side of the page)

A more complete report on the budgetary impact for Seattle Parks can be found here:

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/publications/parks_proposed_budget_2011.pdf

You may also keep up to date with developments on Carkeek Park through a new blog that a concerned neighbor has started:

http://savecarkeekpark.blogspot.com/

WANT TO HELP OR KEEP INFORMED?
As a general call, for those of you who would like to keep abreast of issues that affect the Carkeek Park and its neighborhood or to contribute in either a small or large way to keep Carkeek Park a wonderful place for everyone, please feel free to attend the Carkeek Park Advisory Council meeting(s). These meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every month and are open to the public. As a casual attendee, there is no commitment for prolonged involvement. You can simply come and listen and comment. But if you do have a strong desire and interest in giving back to your community and wish to become an official member of CPAC, then we would be delighted to have you join! Everyone’s opinions and views are welcome and appreciated.

Our next CPAC meeting is on Monday October 25th at 7pm in the ELC building.

I hope you will support our parks!

Timothy Cox, Carkeek Park Advisory Council Treasurer tccox@uw.edu

A Free, Fun Activity in Broadview for Kids

by Michelle

Posted: October 21, 2010

It’s another rainy day. You’ve taken your 2 year old to the zoo. You’ve been to the aquarium. What else is there in Broadview that is close, and more importantly, free? Welcome to Wonderland. The Planned Learned Network (Wonderland) holds a free playgroup called Kaleidoscope for children ages 18 months to 5 years old at the Broadview Library Wednesdays from 10:30am – 11:30am. They have felt boards, play doh, arts and crafts, balls, puzzles, and an instructor who informally runs the playgroup. My daughter didn’t want to leave when it was time to go! She had already met a friend after playing for 10 minutes.

This is great service that the Seattle public library offers to neighborhood families. Most of the children in attendance were around 2 years old. This group gives us another alternative on Wednesdays without having to commit every week. With the economy in the state it is, it’s also nice to have a ‘free’ option. Plus, I like seeing my 2 year old play with other kids her age instead of always having to play with her sister’s friends. Check out the library’s website www.spl.org for more scheduling information.

Here is a person who brings meaningful ideas to our community.

by Susan George

Updated: October 21, 2010

This article was on the Seattle.gov web-site. I thought I would share this with our community. Richard is a strong activist with a big heart.

“Richard Dyksterhuis, a retired school teacher and principal, has been working for years with other neighborhood advocates on improving the walking environment in Bitter Lake and beyond. Recent housing developments have brought many more residents to the neighborhood, and there is also a large senior population in the area.

The Linden “Complete Streets” project (a project that serves all modes of transportation) exists in the nexus of a community center, new development, and a connection to the Interurban Trail. It will include new sidewalks, bike facilities, and a better roadway for everyone.”

Richard has worked long and hard enough for filmmaker Monteith McCollum to take notice and feature Richard and his activism in part of the documentary, “A Different Path.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f738y-5gDEA&feature=player_embedded

A great video.

Last night Broadview Community Meeting

by Dale Johnson

Posted: October 20, 2010

Councilwoman Jean Godden

An audience of about 40 neighbors gathered last evening to hear about the City of Seattle’s budget process from Jean Godden, Chair of the City Council’s Finance and Budget Committee. After a brief summary of where we are in the process at this point, Jean took questions from the audience about issues specifically related to our neighborhood. There was concern expressed about the Citywide focus on bicycle lanes while we don’t have sidewalks and sewers that are really user friendly. Councilwoman Godden did her best to field all the questions and encouraged the audience to attend the remaining budget hearing and get in touch with other Council members to make their concerns known.

Other topics included the lamented loss of our Northwest Neighborhood Service Center site and staff person when we are entering the Neighborhood Plan updating process as one of two neighborhoods in the City selected by the Mayor. Oversight from the Department of Neighborhoods and the Department of Planning and Development will be affected by layoffs. Concern was also expressed about the loss of Crime Prevention staff from our Police Department. Unfortunately, that case was further underscored by the breaking glass in the parking lot that included Councilwoman Godden’s car! We are all very sorry that this happened in our church meeting place’s parking lot.

Ed Mckeena

Also Ed McKenna was there a long-time Senior Assistant City Attorney. A community prosecutor, Ed works with police, business owners and community leaders to resolve disputes and help prevent crimes before they happen .

Ed is running for the seat currently held by Judge Edsonya Charles, the presiding judge on the Municipal Court.

North Seattle Burglary Report

by Will Murray

Updated: October 19, 2010

Residential burglars have been active in North Seattle neighborhoods this fall including North Beach and Broadview. On Tuesday evening during the Broadview Community Council meeting at Luther Memorial Church two cars had windows shattered with a backpack and briefcase stolen. One vehicle is owned by City Councilmember Jean Godden who was the guest speaker. Burglars have also gained entrance to homes through open and unlocked doors and have stolen cars and flat screen televisions. Many residential burglaries are occurring during daylight hours so residents are encouraged to call 911 to report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. One resident called 911 to report a suspicious vehicle backed into their neighbor’s driveway and provided a license plate number to Police who then apprehended a serial house burglar.

North Precinct burglary detectives have also been busy this year filing 115 burglary cases in North Seattle which have lead to the arrest of 95 alleged burglars. North Precinct’s burglary clearance rate which is the measure of crimes solved by the police is well above the national average. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearance_rate

One North Precinct burglary detective will be shifted to patrol, three crime prevention coordinator positions cut and two victim advocate positions will be cut citywide in the proposed 2011/2012 Seattle budget. Neil Hansen who is the Crime Prevention Coordinator for North Seattle including Broadview recently received his 30 year Service Award although he has worked for the Seattle Police Department for 34 years. Neil organizes the Block Watch program and the annual Night Out to prevent crime and has received National Awards for theses programs. If you are interested in forming a Block Watch contact

Neil Hansen
(206) 684-4689 | neil.hansen@seattle.gov

http://www.seattle.gov/police/programs/blockwatch/default.htm

Community Council Meeting!

by Dale Johnson

Updated: October 18, 2010

Join us Oct. 19th at Luther Memorial Church 13047 Greenwood Ave N.

Social time 6:00 – 6:30 PM, program starts at 6:30 PM.

IT’S BUDGET REVIEW TIME…Join other members of our community in hearing about the major issues that are coming before our City Council’s Finance and Budget Committee from Jean Godden, Chair of that Committee. Our guest speaker is hearing a tremendous amount of concern from the active citizens who have studied what is in the Mayor’s proposed budget.

The Topic: 2011 MAYOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET: ISSUES AT MID-POINT IN THE REVIEW PROCESS AND WHAT COMES NEXT…

Jean Godden quit her job as a city columnist to run for Seattle City Council Position One in August of 2003. During her first four-year term she led the Council in stabilizing City Light’s finances, lowering electric rates by 8.4 percent across the board, and achieving three years of greenhouse gas neutrality–among other successes. She now chairs this critical committee that makes recommendations on all matters relating to the financial management and budget policies of our City.

Jean will be joining us as we meet and greet from 6-6:30. Bring your neighbors and join us for this important program!

Design Review for Cyndy’s Replacement

by Dale Johnson

Updated: October 15, 2010

An important design review meeting about the building to replace Cyndy’s House of Pancakes at N105th St. and Aurora Ave. N is being held on October 25. As reported earlier this year, the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is proposing to build 87 units of low income housing on the site. Here is a link to the announcement of the design review meeting.

If you are interested in design issues for this development the design review meeting is a way to learn what is planned and, to some extent, influence the design.

The Rainy Season is Here!

by April Sotura

Updated: October 10, 2010

Fall 2010 has arrived and with it the rainy season. It is time to clear our storm drains and make sure that our downspouts are flowing away from our homes. However, for some residents this may not enough to keep their homes from flooding in the case of a storm event. These concerns are real; our neighborhood has well-documented problems with its sewage and storm water conveyance system, in the 2006 Wastewater Systems Plan. See chapters 6 and 7 for discussion of sewage backups, including references to areas in Broadview.

Some of you will remember the storm event of December 2007. It had a grave impact on Broadview residents who found their homes flooded with storm and sewage backups. Claims were filed with the City and many claims were denied. Residents were told that it was an unprecedented storm, a “100 year storm”, and were denied on that basis. However, common sense shows us that strong storm events are happening with more frequency.

A group of concerned neighbors formed the Broadview Taskforce on Sewage and Storm Water Overflow. With the support of the Broadview Community Council and local engineers, we began asking tough questions and demading answers about what is going on underneath our streets that is causing these back ups. In early 2010, in response to our concerns, the City made repairs to the corner of 115th and 1st Avenue, and to 105th. In July 2010, Seattle Public Utilites, led by Martha Burke, completed a two-year study of our area with recommendations and solutions. See the Study here. Three years later, we remain committed to working with the City and King County. We have made Broadview’s concerns, part of their agenda and we will continue to demand working and viable solutions for our neighborhood.

Broadview residents should not have to worry each rainy season about having sewage back ups’ in their basements. The City acknowledges the problems. However, the solutions to create a functioning sewer and storm water systems are both complicated and integrated. As residents of Broadview we need to keep vigilant, and demand that the City continue to address the issues of sewage and storm water overflows in our homes, our environment, our park, and our watershed.

Here is a video link to how Everett Residents have faced sewage and storm water overflow in their area.

Multi-Family Garage Sale

by Susan George

Posted: October 7, 2010

Christ the King Preschool are getting together this Saturday for a multi-family garage sale to benefit CKS preschool.

Address: 12002 Phinney Ave N [not at the school] Time: Oct. 9th from 9am – 3pm

Lots of items: Antique Dining Room table (w/ 3 leaves) and 6 chairs, Wood Patio Set (including a bench), 2 flat screen computer monitors, Crate and Barrel Wine Rack, Tons of kitchen items, lots of kids items, armchairs, vintage (1960’s era) chair, Clothing, rollerblades (like new),DVDs, VCR w/ movies, 2 tvs, shop vac, luggage and laptop bags, There is going to be tons of stuff with more showing up.