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Halloween Safety Tips

Posted: October 31, 2010

The Seattle Police Department wishes Seattle residents a Happy Halloween and offers the following Halloween safety measures to parents whose ghouls and goblins will be making the rounds on Sunday, October 31st.

• Don’t allow children to go “Trick or Treating” alone. An adult should accompany young children and make sure that all children carry a glow stick or flashlight and wear reflective clothing.

• Accompany young children to the door of every house they approach. Stay within sight of the door when opened. Children should be cautioned to never enter a home without prior permission from their parents.

• Stay in familiar neighborhoods and only visit well-lit homes that have their outdoor lights on. Parents should be familiar with every house and with all people from which the children receive treats.

• Children should be cautioned never to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent.

• All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant. When using facemasks, make sure the child can see and breathe properly and easily.

• Don’t cut through yards, parks or alleys. Walk — don’t run, and stay on the sidewalks. Cross only at intersections and crosswalks, not between cars. Don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street.

• Be sure to carry a flashlight with fresh batteries and make sure your child knows your phone number and address. For children under 12, attach a tag with their name, address and phone number (including area code) to their clothes in case they get separated. Older children who might be going out with friends should have a cell phone, mapped route and set a time to come home.

• Children should be cautioned to remember any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents or a trusted adult and the police.

• Children should be cautioned to run away immediately from people who try to lure them with special treats. Children should be instructed to scream and make a scene if anyone tries to grab them or force them, in any way, to go with them.

• Don’t approach unknown animals or pets; they could be frightened by the costumes or strange noises.

• Parents should inspect all treats and dispose of anything that has been opened or has never been wrapped. The police should be notified if something has been tampered with.

The Green Lane on N 130th St.

by Dale Johnson

Posted: October 30, 2010

This past summer Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) changed the striping on N 130^th St. between Linden Ave. N and Greenwood Ave. N, as part of the 2010 Pedestrian Master Plan Early Implementation. The goal of the changes is to improve safety, pedestrian access and bicycle usage.

A new feature in our neighborhood is the green portion of the bike lane as you approach Greenwood Ave. N from the east. Green bike lanes highlight areas where bicycle and cars cross paths, in this case where cars move over into the right hand lane to make a right turn onto Greenwood Ave N. Motor vehicles should yield to bicyclists in green bike lanes. Bicyclists should be alert and look for motor vehicles crossing green lanes. Green bike lanes and bike boxes are being installed as part of the Bicycle Master Plan.

Sunflowers Sprout on Aurora!

by Will Murray

Posted: October 27, 2010

SDOT and Washington Traffic Safety Officials unveil Aurora mural October 16th 2010

The Aurora Traffic Safety Project together with Greenwood Aurora Involved Neighbors, Sustainable Green Lake and Epic Life Church recently unveiled a 10’ x 50’ mural at 102nd and Aurora at the North Park Grocery. According to a press release from SDOT:

“The project was created to help Aurora gain a competitive edge in tough economic times by making improvements along Aurora Avenue; to attract attention to the business district; to improve public perceptions of Aurora; to encourage consumers to come to Aurora for their shopping needs; and to improve the sustainability and safety of the neighborhood by contributing to the walk ability and bikability of the neighborhood business district.”

Artists from Bherd studios and Matamuros were commissioned to paint the mural with funding provided by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Washington Traffic Safety Commission and community volunteer hours as a match.

‘Splash of color brings life to grim spot’ Seattle Times

Stone Ave. N Site Considered for Homeless Camp

by Dale Johnson

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!