FREE tickets to Greenfest

What is GreenFest?

GreenFest will be held at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center on Saturday April 12th (10:00am -8:00pm) and Sunday, April 13th (11:00am-6:00pm). 300 exhibitors, over 150 speakers together with community groups and residents will come together to share successful approaches for creating a just, prosperous and ecologically balanced community to leave to our children and grandchildren. Together, we can address these questions that are crucial to our personal and our community’s environmental health:

• What can I do about climate change?
• How safe are my cosmetics?
• How can I make positive changes in my own community?
• Is buying organic food worth the price?
• How much does solar or wind power cost?
• How is my child’s health affected by air pollution?

Special Attractions include . . .

• Hands-on workshops
• Swap-o-rama-rama
• Community and Social Investing
• Greening Your Home & Office
• Responsible Travel
• Green Technology and Building
• Solar Installations and Green Renovations
• Organic Valley Kids’ Zone
• Organic Beer and Wine Garden
• Organic Dining
• Green Festival Bookstore
• Live Music Stage
• Organic Tea Garden
• Community Action Center

How do I get in for free?
Simply present the coupon below (click it for larger version) at the event box office to gain free admission. We hope to see you at the Seattle Green Festival on April 12th and 13th!
Please contact me if you have any questions,

Eden Trenor
Neighborhood Matching Fund
Seattle Green Festival www.greenfestivals.org

April 12-13, 2008

23rd Avenue: no change till they fix 520

From: Seattle Dept. of Transportation
(in reply to a neighbor's inquiry)

Thank you for your interest in the design and operation of 23rd Avenue. I value the contribution that citizens bring to transportation issues.

Our direction at the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is to look at arterials not only as general traffic carriers, but to consider the broad range of uses they may serve. This includes transit, a safe and attractive place for pedestrians, access to local businesses, parking, movement of freight and goods, and opportunities for cycling. With this in mind, the possible redesign of 23rd Avenue is something that we would like to consider in the future.

We do not foresee making a change to 23rd Avenue within the next few years. As a principal arterial, 23rd Avenue is part of the regional transportation system and a major roadway. It has to work in a coordinated way with other key parts of the city and regional system. Work is presently underway to shape other major parts of the transportation system. Before making a change to 23rd Avenue, this work - the future design for SR-520, for example - will need to be resolved. When this is done, we will have a better sense of what options may be explored.

Again, thank you for writing. If you have additional questions or thoughts, please feel welcome to call me directly at (206) 684-5727 or via e-mail at mike.morrislent@seattle.gov

Neighborhood Plan Land-Use, Open Space and Housing Committee

(brief explanation: After the Central Area Neighborhood Plan was approved by City Council in 1998, a "Stewardship Committee" was formed to oversee the update and implementation of the plan. After a time-consuming false-start as an independent body, the Stewardship Committee became part of the Central Area District Council. City support for neighborhood plans was reduced and then effectively eliminated, making any plan update efforts very difficult to achieve.

This new committee is an attempt to breathe new life into the process, to help update the plan in light of the many changes in the neighborhood over the last decade. Andrew Taylor)

Central Area Neighborhood Plan Updating
Land-Use, Open Space and Housing Committee
By Kathryn Keller and Marty Liebowitz

The Central Area Neighborhood Plan (CANP) is being updated by the Central Area Neighborhood Plan Stewardship committee. The Land-Use committee concerns itself with properly representing the goals and aspirations of the Central Area community in updating several sections of the Neighborhood Plan which deal with Comprehensive Planning, Land Use and Zoning codes, Sustainability, and design guideline overlays for the different neighborhoods of the Central Area Community. The Land-Use, Open Space and Housing Committee is attempting to have as broad a participation of neighborhood views in our discussions as possible so that other committee’s work is transparent, open, and inclusive.

Items on the draft 2008 Action Agenda include:
1. Response and outreach to citizens regarding the Multi-Family land use code update proposal now under review by the Seattle City Council.
2. Review the 2008 Comprehensive Plan amendments, one of which is titled Affordable Housing Strategies.
3. Develop any desired Central Area 2009 Comp Plan Amendments.
4. Update and take steps to enact Central Area Design Review policies, and include a Central Area Overlay District in the Seattle Land Use Code.

Neighborhood Plan Update Preparation Activities Include:
1. Understand current 2008 zoning and land use realities, and identify gaps with the CANP
2. Collaborate with the Economic Development and Transportation and Arterial efforts/committees.
3. Determine updates that are required immediately that may be handled as separate City Council actions.
4. Determine the agenda for the Land Use, Open Space, and Housing updates, that will be done within the framework of the CANP update process.

Please contact Kathryn Keller (ktkeller@earthlink.net) or Marty Liebowitz (marty@madronacompany.com) for dates and times of the Committee meetings.

Business District discussion at City Neighborhood Council

The District Council system were established by the City as their preferred way to hear from citizens. Our neighborhood is part of the East District Council: Ann Donovan used to represent the East District Council on the umbrella organization, the City Neighborhood Council. I (and Jan Maloney from Madison Park) now share those duties. Ron Boddie represents the Central District Council on the City Neighborhood Council.

The neighborhood business district panel at this month's City Neighborhood Council meeting could well be of interest to all of us who live near developing commercials streets (Madison, 23rd, Union).

The meetings tend to be long and detail oriented (but they do have frequent discussions with Councilmembers, the Mayor, Department heads etc). In general I would characterize the meetings as "not for the faint of heart", but the business district panel could be worth coming for (then you can sneak out "into that good night").

Respectfully,
Andrew Taylor


City Neighborhood Council
www.seattle.gov/neighborhoodcouncil
Monday, March 31, 2008
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
West Precinct Conference Room
810 Virginia Street

March 31 City Neighborhood Council meeting includes panels on neighborhood business and on organizing multilingual neighborhoods. The March 31 CNC meeting will begin with a panel of neighborhood business leaders discussing the challenges and benefits of organizing business districts and how best to involve them in district councils. Anyone who is involved with a neighborhood business district organization, is particularly urged to attend. Then CNC will host a roundtable on how neighborhoods can address language and translation barriers. Any neighborhoods that are face such challenges are particularly encouraged to come and participate. Please help us spread the word about both roundtables and encourage people to bring their experience and questions.


Chair: Chris Leman, cleman@oo.net, (206) 322-5463
Vice Chair: Pete Spalding, bayouwonder@comcast.net
Secretary: Dick Selin, arichardselin@comcast.net

DRAFT AGENDA:

6:30 Introductions, review/approval of agenda, approval/revision of Feb. 25 minutes
6:35 Roundtable on organizing neighborhood business districts
7:55 Roundtable on organizing multilingual neighborhoods
8:25 Reports of CNC's committees
Budget Committee
Neighborhood Planning Committee
Neighborhood Matching Fund Oversight Committee and Citywide Review Team
Transportation Committee
CNC executive committee
8:45 Discussion (no action) on possible CNC letter on Seattle/suburbs transit bus funding
9:00 Adjourn

Seattle Storm cancer benefit at Bottleneck Lounge

Seattle Storm CEO to Launch Season at The BottleNeck Lounge

Benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Where: The BottleNeck Lounge
2328 E. Madison St
www.bottlenecklounge.com

When: Sunday, April 6th from 4:30 – 7 PM

Cost: $10 cash only. $100% of the entry fee goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Join us at The BottleNeck Lounge on Sunday April 6th at 4:30 PM and help the Seattle Storm kick-off the upcoming season while benefiting a very worthy organization. Each person that comes through the door will receive one complimentary ticket for a myriad of raffle prizes, including a set of glasses from Leinenkugel’s Brewery, Storm T-shirts, and a gift basket from Babeland -- just to name a few.

Storm CEO Karen Bryant will be on hand at 5:30 to welcome fans and make some announcements regarding the new season. Haven’t purchased your season tickets yet?! This is your chance – and a portion of the package price will also benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Doors open at 4 PM. The BottleNeck Lounge is a cozy (21+) venue and this is certain to be a popular event. Get there early!!! GO STORM!

Come bid Lt. Hayes a fond farewell

Dear East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition:

As you know, our awesome Lt. John Hayes has been promoted to the Director of Community Outreach in the Seattle Police Department.

This is a good move for all concerned, as his extraordinary ability to improve community quality of life issues will expand citywide.

This Thursday, March 27th, will be his 'Final Appearance' as the East Precinct Operations Lieutenant. This doesn't mean we won't see him again, just not as often.

I am extending a personal invitation for you to attend this Thursday at 6:30 PM, so we can give him a proper send-off and express our appreciation for all of his efforts in the East Precinct.
After introductions, we will recognize him with a few stories, memories, and LOVE.

I look forward to seeing you all.

Best regards,

Stephanie Tschida, Chair
East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition

The East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition meeting is at 6:30 PM on March 27, 2008 at Seattle Vocational Institute, 2120 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144.

Meeting Topics this month : Elections ; Community Concerns & Precinct Updates

- - - - - - - - For details contact - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sita DeGiulio Das
East Program Coordinator
Seattle Neighborhood Group
206.323.9666 (Main Line)
206.322.9330 (Direct Line)
sita@sngi.org
http://www.sngi.org/

Club Chocolate City manager charged with selling cocaine

Last Saturday's Seattle Times had an article that noted:

More than a year after a problematic East Madison Street bar was shuttered, the former manager has been charged in King County Superior Court with selling cocaine.

Darnell Parker, 48, could face 12 to 20 months in prison if convicted of one count of violating the Uniform Controlled Substances Act

The article also gave details of two other people convicted of drug dealing in the bar, one of which had been noted here.

The manager, Darnell Parker, had approached the Miller Park Neighborhood Association before he became the manager of the bar. He met with the neighborhood association a couple of times, and answered peoples' questions. This MNPA website page gives a flavor of peoples' views at the time, and this page documents some of the process of license renewal. Some neighbors were skeptical of his plans, others were in favor of giving him a chance to clean the place up. A Seattle Times guest columnist wrote about the neighborhood in 2003, including details about Mr. Parker's plans.

The picture shows Mr. Parker answering neighbors' questions during a subsequent (May 2004) visit to the neighborhood association: he was invited by Lt. Hayes, who is standing in the background.

Recall, BTW, that the other licensee of the club ( Ms. Helen Coleman ) has relocated and is in business on ML King Way.

In last week's Capitol Hill Times

In the 3/19/08 Capitol Hill Times:

a) an article (page 4) about the Twilight Exit on Madison, including a rumor that it won't be redeveloped anytime soon. (Developer Jim Mueller notes "Just waiting for the City")

b) a guest article by Miller neighbor Mike Clarke about the caucus/election problems: "Super-delegates need to respond to the bigger picture"

c) a picture of Twice Sold Tales owner Jamie Lutton busy moving her bookstore, to which I add the snapshots below.

Operation Streetlight revisited

View Larger Map

A while ago, I suggested that we all share in the task of keeping an eye on dark or flickering streetlights on our neighborhood streets. This map shows the streets that have been adopted. A recent Seattle P-I article confirms that dark streets are an ongoing Citywide concern.

If you'd like to adopt a street, please return to the original post and follow the directions.

Yes, Spring is coming, but it still gets pretty dark at night, so why not do your bit?

Miller Community Center Scrapbook

Miller Community Center

Please help us prepare for the Saturday April 19th Celebration of Miller Community Center's 10th Anniversary. I've started an online scrapbook (click on the picture) of events at the Community Center.

Please send me your digital images (or lend me photos to scan), and I'll add them to the scrapbook (and remove some of mine!). Anecdotes, stories, reminiscences, video, whatever, would also be most welcome.

The Celebration, which is still taking shape, will include visits from the Mayor and Parks Superintendent, demonstrations of assorted sports (basketball, volleyball, chess) and arts (swing dance, karate, jujitsu) as well as free lunch, cake and the grand turning on of the Miller Fountain. Also music, a conjurer and jumpy toys for the kids. You won't want to miss it.

So, send me those pictures. Many thanks, Andrew Taylor

Miller Egghunt: volunteer / participate

Volunteers are need for the Miller Community Center's Spring Egg Hunt this Saturday, March 22nd. The hunt is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. sharp! We are expecting 60-70 kids for our egg hunt and is in need of many volunteers to hide 1000 plus eggs in the Miller Park ground. If you are interested in helping, please contact Thavy Pen at 206-684-4753 or e-mail thavy.pen@seattle .gov. Come and join us for this wonderful community event!

Thanks


Thavy Pen
Seattle Parks and Recreation
Miller Community Center
330 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 684-4753: Fax (206) 684-4397

Thursday Capitol Hill Community Council Meeting

(The tragic stabbing on New Year's Eve helped emphasize the lack of neighborhood leadership/cohesion on Capitol Hill. I suggested that the Community Council be reinvigorated. A dedicated group of volunteers have been working on it, and now want to share their thoughts and get your input)

Public Meeting: Capitol Hill Community Council
Thursday, March 20th
6:30 to 8:30pm
Room 3212, Seattle Central Community College

The Capitol Hill Community Council Steering Committee has scheduled a public meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. This meeting will serve to update the community regarding progress and to kick-start the election process. Key points to be addressed:

• Election process and calendar
• The formation of a nomination committee
• The formation of a committee to oversee the revision of the existing CHCC Bylaws

All members of the community who are interested in joining a committee or wish to be nominated for an officer position are strongly urged to attend the meeting located in room 3212 at Seattle Central Community College.

Development News: 2305 E. Madison Street

The proposal is for a four-story building with 30 residential apartments above 8,200 sq.ft of retail at grade. Parking for 30 vehicles will be located within the structure pending proposed Lot Boundary Adjustment.


Early Design Guidance Hearing:

Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Yesler Community Center,917 E Yesler Way. Multi-Purpose Room

See CD News for pictures and more details

State of the Central Area Forum

CD News has a good report, with video, on the State of the Central Area Community Forum.

The forum organizers promise a website soon, with reports from last year's students immediately, and this year's reports (which we heard at the forum) as soon as they have been edited.

Coming Soon (and here now): Just Food

Just learn of an intriguing sounding little restaurant ( Just Food Eatery) that will be opening soon in the little row of stores across the road from TT Minor Elementary school.

The same people also will deliver home-cooked food to you (Just Food To Go).

St. Patrick's Day at the Bottleneck Lounge

(the owner of the Bottleneck Lounge, whose name hints at her heritage, sent this note)
Hi Andrew,

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and sure we’ll be serving up pints of Guinness and rounds of Jamesons all week long but this year we’re also offering St. Patty’s Day revelers the opportunity to make a political statement while quaffing a few rounds.

We’re the only bar in Seattle (it’s a fact) selling this T-shirt ($20/American Apparel) and we think everyone will enjoy it just as much as we do. Shirts go on sale Tuesday and we’ll have them around through St. Patty’s Day – which, incidentally falls on Monday. We’ll be open anyway (of course) serving up traditional cornbeef and cabbage as well as Guinness stew and the not-so-traditional but ever popular hummus plate.

The shirt was created by a local guy named Paul Porte and we love it so much we wanted to help give his stuff a push.

Thanks,

Erin
PS. Sale of the shirt in no way reflects the views of the staff and/ or owners of The BottleNeck Lounge although we do collectively yearn for a Democrat to save the damn day.

Community Center 10 Year Celebration

(click to enlarge & read)

The Mayor will visit from 11:30 to 12:30, and will officially turn on the Ron K. Bills Fountain for the 2008 season. Ron Bills was a longtime Miller neighbor and Community Center volunteer, who would have been 54 on April 5th. Assorted demonstrations, information tables, fun for kids of all ages, lunch, cake and friends will await you. Details to follow. See you there.

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.

The State of the Central District: A Community Forum

(click image for larger version)

The 2nd Annual The State of the Central District: A Community Forum, will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., in Schafer Auditorium (Lemieux Library) at Seattle University.

This is an annual event that began in March 2007 as part of a service-learning class project where students were charged with the task of collecting data on the impact of gentrification in Seattle's Central District. This year, students will present their findings and a panel of key community leaders will address the findings and the current political, economic and social climate of the Central District.

The panelists are: James Bible (President, Seattle-King County NAACP), Garry Owens (Department of Neighborhoods, City of Seattle), Lynn Domingo (Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organizing), Andrew Miller (Miller Park Neighborhood Association), Jim Mueller (JC Mueller LLC), Professor Henry McGee (School of Law, Seattle University) and Professor Flora Wilson Bridges (School of Theology & Ministry, Seattle University).

The findings of the first report, The State of the Central District Report (2007), will be unveiled, which we hope will continue an ongoing dialogue and call to action within the community about this issue. This event is sponsored by the Departments of Cultural Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work and Global African Studies, Washington Educators for Social Justice, the Seattle University Center for Service and Community Engagement and Professor Le Xuan Hy, the Pigott-McCone Endowed Chair.

[Notes from Andrew Taylor:

1) I believe I am the Andrew Miller mentioned above: they did invite me.

2) John Perry from Squire Park pointed out this 2003 U-DUB thesis on the same topic, which provides useful background

3) The format of the event is as follows:

6:00 – 6:10 – Welcome and introduction of our panelists
6:10 – 6:40 – Student Presentations
6:40 – 7:30 – Panel Discussion
7:30 – 8:00 – Q&A and Open Discussion with the Community

4) Notes from the organizers:

In preparation for tomorrow’s community forum, here are the questions that we will engage you all with during the panel discussion. Some of the questions will be asked of certain panelists, given your various positions in the community. We envision that panelists will respond to questions and to one another in an open, fluid exchange of ideas and experiences. In addition, panelists will field questions from the audience during Q&A.

Describe the changes to the Central District from your vantage point as a leader community.

• How have these changes affected the populations that you work with?
• What are some of the challenges that gentrified communities face with respect to civic engagement and neighborhood relations?
• What does equitable urban development look like? How have different entities in the community worked toward equitable development?
• What are some recommendations that you can make that will help foster more collaborative community relations, dispel stereotypes of different populations and ensure that all residents (regardless of socioeconomic background) benefit from urban development?

There may be one or two questions that come specifically out of the student presentations that we may ask the panel to respond to. Since the panel discussion is less than an hour long, 5-6 questions should be enough to spark conversation.

Possible development of 23rd Avenue

A Central District News article reports on plans to redevelop 23rd Avenue, perhaps by narrowing it to 2 lanes and 2 bike lanes. Lots of comments, thoughts and links from readers.

Repeat Felon Convicted for Selling Crack at Club Chocolate City

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Western District of Washington

700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220 Tel: (206) 553-7970
Seattle, Washington 98101-1271 Fax: (206) 553-0882

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2008

SEATTLE MAN CONVICTED FOR SELLING CRACK AT NOTORIOUS SEATTLE NIGHTCLUB
Repeat Felon Convicted of Selling Crack at Club Chocolate City – formerly Deano’s

REIORDAN JONES, 34, of Seattle, Washington, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Seattle of five counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine. The jury deliberated about two hours following a two and a half day jury trial. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge James L. Robart on June 2, 2008, JONES faces up to 40 years in prison.

According to records filed in the case, on five separate occasions JONES sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). JONES met his customers in Club Chocolate City, a now-defunct Seattle nightclub that was a notorious hangout for drug dealers. Club Chocolate City, which was known for years as Deano’s, closed in February 2007. The location was well known to law enforcement as a place where drug dealers congregated and sold to customers. Acting on complaints from the community, DEA and the Seattle Police targeted the club for the undercover investigation.

At trial prosecutors played video and audio tapes of JONES making the drug sales to the informant. At trial JONES attempted to claim that he was not the person depicted in the video. However, at the time of his arrest JONES was shown still photos made from the video and he exclaimed "That’s me!" In closing arguments Assistant United States Attorney Mike Dion said, "Surely Mr. Jones can say when it is Mr. Jones." Dion asked the jury to consider the "simple and powerful" evidence of JONES' drug dealing caught on video tape.

Two other defendants have already been sentenced in connection with dealing cocaine at Club Chocolate City. KNUTE GOLIDY, 32, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced January 7, 2008, to 70 months in prison and five years of supervised release. DEBBIE ANN WILSON of Seattle, pleaded guilty in August 2007, and was sentenced January 14, 2008 to five years in prison and five years of supervised release for three counts of Distributing Crack Cocaine.

The cases were investigated by the DEA and the Seattle Police Department, with assistance from the King County Prosecutor’s Office. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Dion and Kelly Harris.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

Happy Birthday, Bottleneck Lounge!

Lt. Hayes to leave East Precinct

A Seattle PI article about Police reorganization notes:

The department also created a new position of director of community relations, which will oversee media relations, community outreach and the community police teams that tackle specific problems in neighborhoods, and report directly to Kerlikowske. Taking that new position is Lt. John Hayes, an officer well regarded by the community in the East Precinct, the chief said.

Many thanks to CD News for pointing out the PI article, and for its report on Lt. Hayes' departure.

A Central District neighbor commented:
The last paragraphs of the story from Saturday's P-I speak of changes in the responsibilities of the East Precinct's highly respected Lt. John Hayes. I'm sure he is the perfect person for his new job as director of community relations, but we will miss him sorely. It is not clear to me who will replace Lt. Hayes as Captain McDonagh's Operations Chief.

I hope you will all join me in thanking John Hayes for all his hard work in our neighborhood, and in wishing him all the best in his new position.

Join us behind the Prince of Wales apartments (big brick building, 20th & Denny) about 9:45 AM this coming Saturday for our monthly MaDCAP neighborhood cleanup: Lt. Hayes may be able to stop by to bid farewell. From there you could go on to 23rd & Union to help with the Central Neighborhood Association's cleanup of the "cop shop" (10 till noon) and then on to the grand opening of the African-American Museum ( 11 AM to 4 PM). And after all that excitement you'd better go home for a rest, or perhaps get a drink at the Bottleneck Lounge, which opens at 4 PM. But don't expect a quiet time there, because they're celebrating their first birthday on Saturday (complimentary appetizers and champagne from 8-9PM, and other specials: see website). If you don't find John Hayes at one of those events, you'll just have to zip on to the next one to catch him there.

Happy Anniversary

Club Chocolate City closed a year ago today.

Anything new to add to the comments made at the time?

And no, I don't know anything new about the possible fate of the empty buildings where the bar and grocery store used to be. I saw Jim Mueller (developer of projects at 2203 E. Union and at 2051 E. Madison, and eager to develop Dean Falls' property) at the neighborhood planning forum today. He had no news, other than that Mr. Falls had sent him a joke by E-mail (which, I guess, counts as staying in touch).