Spring Clean

Spring Clean, April 5 – May 31, is Seattle's premier clean up event and part of Mayor Greg Nickels' Clean and Green Seattle Initiative. Now in its 22nd year, Spring Clean provides opportunities for citizens to clean up Seattle's public open spaces of their choice with city support.

More details from the City website, or just download the registration form, and away you go. Project ideas on the website: you're welcome to use this blog to recruit others, publicize your ideas, etc.

Capitol Hill Community Council Revival?

Many thanks to all of you who wrote wanting to be part of a reinvigorated Capitol Hill Community Council. I heard from several previous Council officers: their explanatory remarks and offers of support are appended below. Looks like we need some sort of hybrid between the old type of "meet in a room every month" Council and the various electronic forums that are proliferating in our neighborhoods.

I propose that we gather in the meeting room at the Capitol Hill Library ( 425 Harvard Ave E., behind the QFC on Broadway) from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday January 30th or Thursday January 31st ( date to be decided by VOTING HERE by Jan 22nd ) and decide how to proceed.

Addendum (1/19/08): Meeting will be Thursday Jan. 31st.


click image for readable version

The meeting will be publicized by the usual blogs and E-mail lists. The Capitol Hill Times hopes to do an article about the Community Council in its January 23rd issue (and I will send a meeting announcement for the January 30th issue). That should help get the word out to those without ready computer access (as can you by word of mouth).

There is a Discussion Board for the Community Council (kindly set up by Justin) that we can use to post/exchange ideas ahead of the meeting. BTW here's the old Council website (for background), here are the council bylaws and here are some thoughts from the CHS blog.

Notes from Community Council Officers

I'm willing to do what I can to help reinitiate things. I'm really pressed for time so I can't lead but I'm totally willing to share any insight, information -- and of course records as I have the CHCC's filing cabinet at my house.

Ann Donovan

********************

From Phil Mocek

In case you don't already know: the Community Council still exists but is on hiatus -- not dead, just hibernating. All it should take to revive it is leadership and public participation. There is still a bank account, and I assume we're incorporated. When Ann Donovan stepped down after many years of hard work building the organization, no one who was willing to step up could be found. I am technically the secretary, as I agreed to take the position shortly before we decided to stop holding monthly meetings a couple years ago (because hardly anyone -- sometimes no one besides officers -- showed up for them). I think Catherine Brumbaugh is the treasurer, and Gary Clark may still be vice-president. None of this means much, as we have been inactive since the last election, and we're surely operating (I use that loosely) outside the by-laws by now.

I've thought for some time that someday the Community Council should come back in a more Web-based form. There was a time when a big face-to-face meeting was the best way to disseminate neighborhood-level information and to facilitate discussion of neighborhood issues by neighbors. Nowadays, it's difficult to convince people to stop whatever they're doing and go to a meeting to get some information that they could just as well read from a mailing list or find on the Web. Obviously there are some advantages to face-to-face interaction, but it's probably not needed on a monthly basis.

I registered the capitolhillcommunitycouncil.org and capitolhillseattle.org Internet domains a couple years ago in case something like this were to develop. I also have a Web hosting account that allows me to use more storage and data transfer than I'll ever need, and my Web host makes it very simple to set up all kinds of Web-based software -- blogs, forums, wikis, etc. This could be used to get something rolling with the intention of handing it all over to CHCC sometime in the future.

Due to a drastic change in my work situation last year and having bitten off more than I can chew, I'm overextended as it is, and already feeling guilty about not devoting as much effort as I think I should to the Neighborhood Plan Stewardship Council (I'm the current president, somewhat by default, as I'm a terrible leader) and the new Chamber of Commerce (I'm on the board of directors). I'm willing to try to help some, especially if that mostly involves providing some initial technical assistance.

******************

I agree with Phil's comments. Meetings per se don't really work much of the time and the internet is an alternative. Plus, I'm currently on several local non-profit boards of directors and I'm committed--as I hope you all are--to sweeping the Republicans at all levels under the bridge in November. But I would come to meetings as time allows.

Gary Clark

Help revive the Capitol Hill Community Council

When both the P-I and KING-TV contacted me last week for comment on the New Year's Eve murder on 15th, I realized that the Capitol Hill Community Council was truly dead.

I'd like your help in reviving it, to provide a voice for Capitol Hill and as a way for residents on the Hill to interact with the City in as unified a way as we (herd of cats that we are) care to.

The Capitol Hill Community Council was (according to their, no longer updated, website) founded in 1968, and has worked on assorted public interest issues that would have been beyond the scope of individual neighbors or more local neighborhood groups (like Miller Park). Their website lists some ( eg the # 8 bus !) but was never updated to note a couple of their last successes:

• They successfully intervened in the dispute between the Walgreens Pharmacy on 15th and its neighbors to lessen the impact of the original "cookie cutter" design on the neighborhood. Don't see the free-standing readerboard in the parking lot, do you?
• They helped rally opposition to another free-standing cookie cutter Walgreens at Broadway & Pine, and convinced the developers to work with Capitol Hill Housing to instead build a low income apartment building on the site, with a Walgreens at street level (quite a departure for them). Dare I say "win, win"?
  

As I understand it (correct me, please) the driving forces in the Community Council put their all into opposing the Mayor's proposal to upzone Broadway, and then moved onto other things when they failed in that effort.

Given the changes happening in the commercial core of Captitol Hill (impending light rail, streetcar, massive redevelopment, revival of neighborhood plans, building code updates) it would be great to have a neighborhood group to help us interact with City government. Let's face it: I'm not Paul Allen - the Mayor or Councilmembers aren't going to come out to my living room to hear what my views are, but they will (and do) regularly come out to neighborhood groups to meet with people (even when they're not actively seeking votes!). I'm only aware of the history of the Council since the birth of MPNA, but I'm not aware of them ever advocating any of the NIMBYish things that so alarm the CHS blog.

So, how do we do revive the Community Council? José Cervantes write to offer City assistance (my comments are interspersed):

After talking to Crime Prevention Coordinator, Michael Yasutake and Thomas Withemore, Neighborhood Matching Fund, we would like to follow up on your suggestion to assist in the creation and or reactivation of the community council for the Hills.

For this we need your valuable assistance and input of the following:

-We would like to use the Blog (that would be CHS: Seattle) you identified at the recent public safety forum to advertise funding available through the Department of Neighborhoods/Neighborhood Matching Fund Outreach Grant (up to $750) for folks that would like to create or reactivate the mentioned needed community council for the Hills. The funding available can be used for this purpose.

-We need to know from Ann or other Elders of the previous Capitol Hill Community Council if they would like to participate on this or help us endorse the idea, everyone is welcome and the new group needs to develop the leadership responsibilities to accomplish the task. Can you help us with this? (Ann is Ann Donovan, who still runs the Community Council listserv and is, along with several of the previous officers, still living in the area)

-As you know, neighborhood organizations such as community councils are independently organized from the City, but once the core group initiates the organizing process DON and SPD can assist with funding applications, technical assistance, etc, as requested.

Jose Cervantes, Neighborhood District Coordinator
(206) 684-4574
jose.cervantes@seattle.gov

Some final thoughts:

• The listservs and blogs that we all use now make it easy to communicate speedily, but there's still value in occasional traditional neighborhood meetings.
• No need for kneejerk once-a-month meetings, but good to get together as needed: sitting down in a room sometimes just WORKS!
  
• Service projects, like the MADCAP cleanups, are one good way to get together and swap news.
• NO, I don't want to Chair the group! I'll come along to some meetings, but Miller Park is on the edge of Capitol Hill and somebody more central should be "in charge".
  

SO How do we proceed? You can contact me (tayles@jps.net) or José (jose.cervantes@seattle.gov) and, if there's enough interest, we'll take it from there.

Thanks for your time. I'll try and write soon about my (flawed) understanding of the various neighborhood groups that serve our assorted needs in working with local government.

Help us make our Community Center even better!

( This is a flyer recently created by the Advisory Council to recruit new members. You may download a good copy to print and share with others)

Miller Community staff and advisory council welcome you to the Miller Community Center.

This facility is supported and led by staff and volunteers around the neighborhood just like you.

Miller Community Advisory Council would like YOU to join us!

It’s easy and fun! We meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month to help with program planning, special events and activities.

See how much change we can make in our community together. We would love to contact you to answer your questions and invite you to the next meeting.

Name:___________________________________

Phone: ( __ __ __ ) __ __ __ -- __ __ __ __

E-mail: __________________________________

Leave this at the front desk at Miller Community Center or contact:
Zoom Piksa: zoom.piksa@seattle.gov • 206-684-4753

Volunteers needed for Saturday Holiday Party

The combined Miller Community Center and Country Doctor clinic holiday party, to be held at Miller Community Center from 11 to 3 on Saturday December 15th, seems like it will be a great success, thanks to all the donations of presents to replace those lost by flooding, and by the donation fo a turkey dinner by a catering company. They're fairly well set for general volunteers (though they could surely use a few more) but are seeking a few special types of help:

1. Spanish speaking volunteers to help with the many Spanish speaking kids they expect
2. People to help with Face Painting.
3. People good at selecting appropriate presents for kids of assorted ages, to help in the "Present Room".

Contact Zoom Piksa at the Center at 206-684-4753 for more information. or to volunteer.

If you'd like to help wrap the presents, come along to the Country Doctor on 19th between 5 and 9 PM on Thursday and ask for Laury.

Adopt a drain -- or just help keep them clear

(stolen from Capitolhillnews)
It's that time of year when the leaves combine with the rain and create clogged drains around town. Even on top of our hill there can be problems with puddling. What can you do? The City of Seattle has organized a program called Adopt a Drain where you can sign-up and then be the recipient of tools to help keep your designated drain/s clear.

Learn more and sign up via the City's website at:
http://tinyurl.com/35porl

Even if you don't want to commit to be a fully designated storm drain steward, feel free to help keep area drains clear and flowing.

"Volunteers are only asked to remove the matted leaves from the tops of the drains. If the drain is still clogged even after you’ve removed the matting, then call our drainage problem hotline at (206) 386-1800 to report it. Do not try to unclog the drain. Removing matting is safe, but clearing out a deep clog requires special expertise."

For More Information
The Adopt A Street/Drain team is ready to help you with your questions, please call the 24-hour hotline at (206) 684-7647 and leave a message or e-mail adoptastreet@seattle.gov .

CADA retreat: your comments please on our presentation

Recall that we were invited to take part in the Central Area Development Association's annual retreat on Saturday October 27th.

Heidi Ob'bayi has kindly volunteered to accompany me (Andrew Taylor) and Jim Mueller (who's planning developments on Madison and on Union) may be able to attend.

Please take a look at my draft of our presentation, and comment as appropriate. It's also never to late to volunteer to attend.

Many thanks.

Volunteers needed for Miller C. C.'s Creepy Carnival

Date: Friday, October 26th
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Miller Community Center
330th 19th Ave E
Seattle WA 98112
Phone:206-684-4753
Admission is FREE!!!

Volunteers are needed to operate the 25 game booths! Please contact Zoom at zoom.piksa@seattle.gov or 206-684-4753, if you are interested in volunteering.

Central Area summit: care to volunteer?

The Central Area Development Association (see this summary of what they do) has invited our neighborhood to participate in their October 27th annual retreat. Here (in part) is what they ask:

Dear Miller Park Neighborhood Association,

The Central Area Development Association (CADA) is pleased to invite you to participate in the morning session of its annual retreat on Saturday, October 27th. We are soliciting your opinions of and vision for the future of the Central Area in a process to identify where and how CADA can best contribute to the development of the community.

As a community-based development association we rely upon your input and participation. It is not only a critical component to CADA’s mission and philosophy but to the Central Area’s health as a whole.

We ask that you review the following and then identify at least two individuals you believe will best represent your group at the retreat. Please have them come prepared to provide us with the following information as a consensus of your group:

• A brief history of the group - no more than 2 minutes
• Opinion of the Central Area as they see it today in regards to housing, economic development, education, crime, arts, opportunity, etc.
• Current focus of the group - short-term (up to 12 months) and long-term (12 months and beyond)
• Top two things the group would like to see accomplished in "their" area and how it would benefit the entire Central Area.

Note: please don't limit the 'kind' of things you'd like to see happen. Although CADA's primary line of business is affordable housing and CADA may not be the organization that fulfills your vision, we do partner with and delegate to other organizations in our efforts to revitalize the Central Area.

Please provide us with a written copy of your talking/bullet points. You may send this with your reply or give it to us at the retreat. As there will be potentially eight to ten groups attending, each group will have 15 minutes to speak and there will be a timekeeper to ensure that everyone is heard.

I'd be happy to volunteer (if you agree) and am writing to invite you to join (or replace) me. Drop me a note by Friday (Send to me: tayles@jps.net) with your contact info and I'll send it on to CADA. We could get together this weekend and work on the talking points they suggest.

As resources to think about what to say, I remind you of the Central Area's neighborhood planning efforts in the late 90's which resulted both in a general plan for the area and in a specific plan for the Madison-Miller area (see right side of blog page; "Madison-Miller Neighborhood Plan"). See links in this post for more background info.

Volunteers needed to help "Chicks Play Hard"

Chicks Play Hard is a volunteer-run, non profit organization that strives to build self-confidence in girls by providing them with a nurturing environment to try different activities and develop self expression. Girls ages 9 to 13 participate in workshops led by high school students who are, in turn, mentored by women experts (that's you!). The event encourages the girls to try new and diverse things, learn from positive female role models and-most importantly- have fun.
(modified from www.chicksplayhard.org)

Chicks Play Hard 2007 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, at Miller Community Center on Capitol Hill. We are seeking female volunteers (incl. high schoolers in need of community service credits) and are also open for registration for girls ages 9 to 13. This marks the first year that Chicks, an all-volunteer and free event, is officially collaborating with Seattle Parks & Recreation on the event, which will take place from 11 am to 4 pm. Classes lined up so far include creative arts, combat theatre, boxing and writing. We have tentatives for songwriting and we're also looking into rock climbing. Double dutch, a crowd favorite, may again rear its head. The new UW women's basketball coach, Tia Jackson, will serve as our keynote/kick off speaker. Please visit the Chicks Web site (www.chicksplayhard.org) or send an email with "volunteer" in the subject line to chicksplayhard@gmail.com You may also contact co-organizer Mary Guiden directly at MKGSeattle@aol.com

City Free Tree application deadline extended

The Department of Neighborhoods Tree Fund deadline for applications has been extended to Friday, August 24th.

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get free trees for the planting strips (between the sidewalk and the curb) and green your neighborhood!

Get a group of 5 households together with a request of at least 10 trees and send in your application to DON. All you have to do is send a representative from your group to a tree planting and maintenance training on Saturday, October 13th, agree to maintain the trees for their first 3 years and the trees will be delivered, for free, to the location your group chooses one weekend in October or November.

Applications are available on the Department of Neighborhoods website, at:
http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/treefund.htm

Questions? Call Eden Trenor (206-684-4520) or John Eskelin (206-684-0359) at the Department of Neighborhoods.

Saturday: Cleanup and Precinct Picnic

Jon Vandemoortel (Mr. MaDCAP) writes:

The MaDCAP cleanup will commence as usual beginning with Starbuck's coffee at 9:45. It will end around noon. The barbecue portion has been canceled, however. The East Precinct station, located at 1519 12th Avenue, is having their annual picnic between 1:00 and 4:00 that day, and we are all invited to attend. Over the years, and especially so these past few, the officers of the East Precinct have worked many hours to ensure that we have a safe neighborhood in which to live. The Miracle on Madison simply would not have occurred without their assistance. Thus, you are encouraged to stop by their gathering after the cleanup for food and festivities. Thanks.

See you at the cleanup at 9:45 AM, Saturday July 21st (we meet behind the Prince of Wales apartments at 20th & Denny), and then again at the East Precinct at 1 PM:

Picnic at the Precinct

When: Saturday, July 21
From: 1-4 PM
Location: East Precinct 1519 12th Avenue, Seattle

All East Precinct Community members are invited!
Enjoy dancing, music, food, magic, balloons, raffles and Fun!
Get a precinct tour, meet local officers, Swat, K-9 and More

(click on image for larger version)

City funds available for neighborhood improvements

Bridging the Gap & Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF)/ Cumulative Reserve Fund (CRF) Dollars are Available Now!

Money and resources are available for groups and individuals to get involved in improving their neighborhoods. The City needs your help in identifying Transportation and Parks projects to be completed in the next several years. Your input is essential for ensuring that our communities have a voice in this process and that we get the best results possible.

There are two sources of money for two different types of projects. Applications for both are due May 18th.

1. Funds Available from Bridging the Gap Levy! (Larger Transportation Projects)

2. Neighborhood Street Fund and Cumulative Reserve Fund (NSF/CRF)
(Smaller Transportation and Parks Projects).

All the details and appication forms available on this Department of Neighborhoods webpage:

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

Anybody care to submit the Miller project from the list of proposed but unfunded Parks projects:

(page 3): East Parks -- Miller Playfield - Park funishings. Install tables, benches and other furniture.

Young adults (18-29) needed for City Boards and Commissions

(Start em young!)

Get Engaged places people ages 18-29 on boards and commissions each fall. Serving in an advisory capacity to the mayor and City Council, commissioners help shape policy decisions, make recommendations, and provide citizen participation in city government. Even if you’ve never considered a role in public service, our city needs you. Experience doesn’t matter. Passion does.

Here are all the details, the application form and the Mayor's press release.

Central Neighborhood Association notes

(Some notes from longtime Central Neighborhood Association [CNA] member Jean Tinnea, posted with her permission)

Just a couple of historical notes: Louise Thompson and family have always worked with the police to stop the drug dealing, loitering and shootings. Louise started the 23rd & Union Crime Prevention Task Force that morphed into the Union Street Business Group (USBG). Louise has gotten death threats and had her windows shot out for cooperating with the police. Shutting Thompson's down is not a reasonable response nor is it fair. Working with Louise and family is a better choice.

The USBG hasn't been active for a couple of years, but this kind of negative activity may spur some participation. Please support our local businesses by shopping, movie-watching and eating and let the business owners/operators know that you want their support to stop the dealing, shooting and loitering. Most of these owners are aware of the response to Louise's pro-police, pro-safety position and may be in fear. Not everyone has Louise's courage. It should help if we stand together and talk to each other.

Officer Tim Greeley stopped by my office yesterday and is well aware of the new level of drug dealing and shooting along Union. Time confirmed that there is also a group of kid burglars at work. If a couple of cute kids come by selling candy and ask to use the bathroom or want to come in and get a drink of water, be harsh and point them at the nearest public bathroom. They are casing your house for robbery. Sad but true.

Tim is willing to work with us and keep the patrol officers in the loop. In my experience, there is often a disconnect between us and the patrol officers. It makes me crazy. I walk to the PO every day and stop to talk to any police officers I see and ask them if they're aware of the latest concerns. Sometimes they give me that 'huh?' and I fill them in. I also want the officers to get out of their cars and walk among us.

As to what to call yourselves, a block watch is one plus you are welcome to join the Central Neighborhood Association (CNA) that has been active here for at least 20 years. It started with crime and safety concerns and grew to include the Union St Improvement Project, seven Garden Tours and a few street parties. The CNA has a good reputation with the City, the police, and other neighborhood associations. (We have street cred and carry some weight!)

Once we completed the Union St Improvement Project (19th - 24th, $500,000 in grant and City $$ and ten years' of work) we were worn out and haven't been very active since. We just held a CPR class and the next meeting is Disaster Prep 6:30 April 17th at the Lutheran Church 22nd & Union. There will be time for general discussion after the disaster preparedness presentation.

We need our website set up anew and some people to lead (President, anyone?) and/or organize meetings and events.

I am pleased that the owner and some customers from Earl's Cuts and Styles at 23rd & Union came to the CPR class and plan to attend the disaster prep meeting. My personal goal has always been to have a diverse, real representation of the 'hood at CNA functions.

Another good way to combat street crime is to be in the streets. The spring free Plant Exchange will be held Sat. April 21st 10am-2pm at the Copymaster parking lot at 20th & Union. You don't need to bring plants to attend. Come meet your neighbors, air your concerns, pick up some free plants and gardening tips. Sonja Richter, our retiring SPD safety liason, is one of the organizers of the Plant Exchange.

In October Nic Pottier set up a CNA google group for just this type of conversation. Please join, see below. Jean Tinnea

CNA Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/centralna

You'll need a (free) Google account, and can then sign up for the CNA group.

Volunteers Needed for Green Footprints

(from the Arboretum Heights community, between 23rd and the Arboretum)

Hi, we are in the final stages of preparing the Green Footprints proposal to the Dept. of Neighborhoods (DON). The DON wants to see broad community support and signing up as a volunteer is the best way. Please consider pledging some time and helping us strengthen our community. thanks, John

Volunteers Needed for Green Footprints

Our goal is to create an ecology resource map and master plan for the hillside neighborhood above the Arboretum. We hope it will be a positive community experience as well

We are looking for volunteers that want to work with experts from Seattle Urban Nature and the Audubon Society to build a resource map of the neighborhood. Training will focus on the trees, shrubs, birds and habitat in our neighborhood as well as mapping techniques, GPS systems and more. After the training, volunteers collect data in their neighborhoods. The result will be a resource map that captures all the natural resources (and there are plenty) in an urban neighborhood. Kids 12 and over are welcome and it could be a great family experience!

Please sign up as:
Mapping Volunteer
6 or 12 hours (Fall 2007 or Spring 2008) to include 2 hour training sessions and 4 hour data gathering sessions - this will guarantee you a free tee shirt!

Volunteer Staff:
40 hour suggested (from Fall 2007 to Fall 2008) to participate in survey preparation, data collection, community meetings, and preparation of the Master Plan. This will get you a CD of the final master plan!

Please reply to email at johnrpotter@qwest.net or give me a call at 320 0947. If you have any professional skills that could be of value (education or training in ecology, data bases, computer skills), we would love to tell you more about the project.

Even if you can't volunteer and want to stay in touch with the project just let me know. Thanks,
John