Roosevelt

NEDC ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 1, 2003

1. Brief April CNC report: Chuck Clarke and others from SPU came to talk again about a comprehensive drainage plan and how they might solicit more community input. Their efforts at outreach have not been terribly successful. The Neighborhood Matching Fund Committee chair gave a presentation on how the CRT rating process will work. The group voted to accept a new process for rating large project funds. The new process has been the subject of considerable discussion over the last several months; the group agreed to try it this year, and take an honest look at the results once the process is over. The group agreed to write a letter expressing their concern about the Mayor’s public comments about neighborhood planning, particularly growth targets in the Northgate, U District, and South Lk Union neighborhoods.

2. Ad Hoc Coalition Challenges Mayor’s Action: Community groups concerned with Mayor Nickels’ initiatives in the U District, South Lake Union and at Northgate have formed a coalition. Representatives presented their responses to the Mayor’s proposals at a press conference at Cascade P-Patch on May 1 at 11 a.m. The basic concern is that the Mayor’s plans are inconsistent with key elements of neighborhood plans. The City Neighborhood Council has also written a letter challenging the Mayor’s actions. To support the coalition or to get involved, contact Matt Fox at 206-527-0648 or mfoxmail@aol.com. The Ad Hoc Coalition is planning a neighborhood summit.

3. Public Hearing to Reduce Open Space Requirements: The City Council Land Use Committee will take public comment on CB 114502, a proposal to reduce open space requirements for residential housing in commercial zones on May 6 at 10 a.m. in council chambers. Currently, the Design Review Boards are granted the authority to reduce/modify certain development standards, including open space, when it is believed that such a departure would result in a better overall building design. At the Committee briefing on the issue, DCLU had no answers as to how much open space would be reduced or the quality of the open space (e.g. roof top gardens and balconies as opposed to public open space or open space that contributes to the pedestrian character of a neighborhood). The general rationale was the need to simplify the Code and make open space requirements for commercial areas the same as for multi-family areas. The DCLU representative before the Committee also indicated that when you live in a commercial zone, you expect less open space. For further information contact John Taylor from Council Central Staff at 206-684-8178 or john.taylor@seattle.gov.

4. Public Hearing on Changes to Dog Ordinance: The City Council’s Finance, Budget, Business and Labor Committee will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Animal Control Laws on Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. An Animal Control Code Review Panel has come up with recommended changes as has the City Attorney’s office. The proposals are available on Councilmember Drago’s website at www.ci.seattle.wa.us/council/drago/default.htm. For further information, contact Barbara Clemons at barbara.clemons@seattle.gov or 206-684-8801.

5. UW Lease Lid: Council Central Staff Bob Morgan has prepared a memorandum listing several compromise options regarding the Mayor’s proposal to eliminate the UW lease lid. To obtain a copy, contact Bob Morgan at bob.morgan@seattle.gov or 206-684-8150. Morgan is currently preparing comments on the various options. This analysis should be complete on Friday, May 2 or Monday, May 5. The Council Finance, Budget, Business and Labor Committee and Land Use Committee will hold a joint meeting on May 7 at 9:30 a.m. to continue discussion of the many issues. A vote at that time is NOT expected.

6. UW Master Plan Appeal: Laurelhurst Community Club joined by NEDC, University District Community Council, University Park Community Club and Friends of Brooklyn filed a petition with the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board on March 5th appealing certain aspects of the City’s ordinance adopting the UW Master Plan. A Prehearing Conference is scheduled on May 5 and the hearing is tentatively scheduled on June 26th. The Board is expected to make its final decision on September 1, 2003.

7. Comment on SDOT Proposed 2004 Projects: The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is asking residents and businesses for comments on a list of proposed street improvement projects for 2004. Scarcity of funding resources puts greater importance on comments from the public to help make project decisions and recommendations that best reflect the needs of Seattleites. All proposed projects are listed on SDOT’s web site at www.seattle.gov/transportation/grantprojects.htm. The information is also available by mail by calling 206-684-5013. The deadline to comment is May 30, 2003. Sent written comments to Amy Patton, Seattle Department of Transportation, 700 5th Ave, Suite 3900, Seattle, WA 98104-5043 or email grantprojects@seattle.gov. Northeast Seattle projects (competing for funding with other projects throughout the city) that received high ratings include:

· Montlake Boulevard: Signal upgrades on Sandpoint, 45th, 25th and 65th to compliment current 35th NE. The project also includes a new left turn pocket and signal at 25th and 55th at Blakeley and at Pend Oreille and pedestrian safety and mobility improvements.

· 15th NE and NE Ravenna Boulevard: Install new signal at 15th Ave NE and NE Ravenna Blvd. Construct new westbound roadway on Ravenna Blvd between 15th NE & University Way NE. The existing westbound roadway would be removed and landscaped. Install new curb bulbs on University Way NE and Cowen.

8. Host a Russian Student: Global Education Services (GES) will be implementing an intensive 4-week Language and Cultural Enhancement Program (July 13 - August 9, 2003) for a group of 100 exceptional students from the former Soviet Union countries. GES is seeking families in the Seattle area who would enjoy being part of this intercultural experience. The Language and Cultural Enhancement Program (LCE) is part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program, a U.S. government-sponsored program. FLEX provides high school students (ages 15-17) from the countries of the former Soviet Union the opportunity to spend a year in the U.S., living with a family and attending an American high school. FLEX/LCE participants come from the Eurasian countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. For further information or a speaker for your group, contact Kat Schutt at Global Education Services at 206-789-8998 or katlen@ges.org.

9. Seattle Audubon Introduces BirdWeb: Would you like to know more about the birds you observe in your yard or throughout Washington? Log on to BirdWeb at http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/, Seattle Audubon's online resource guide to the birds of Washington. BirdWeb is an all-inclusive, online database of the some 350 species of birds that occur regularly in the Evergreen State, plus notes on more than 100 rarities. For each bird species, users will find color photographs, range maps, and information about the bird’s habitat, behavior, diet, breeding, distribution and conservation status.

10. 21st Annual Seattle Tilth Organic Edible Plant Sale: Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Tilth Garden, Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North, Seattle. For further information call 206-633-0451 or go to www.seattletilth.org.

11. Children’s Garden Work Party: Join in a work party on Sunday, May 4th from 1-3 p.m. in the Magnuson Children's Garden and help dig, plant, and toss seeds, fight weeds and rototill! The Garden is located at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, just north of the Junior League Playground main parking lot. The group would like to extend a special invitation to invite grandparents or senior friends to join in the fun. This will be the last big work party for the spring and the group hopes to give all the remaining plants a home in the ground. Kids gloves and tools provided. Adults please bring your own gloves and favorite shovel. Come prepared for rain, just in case. For further information, contact Cindy Hazard at hazarddean@hotmail.com.

12. Children’s Advisory Committee: The Children’s Hospital Standing Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday, May 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the small dining room off of the cafeteria at Children’s, 4800 Sand Point Way NE. For further information, contact Sarah Erickson at 206-987-3881 or at sarah.erickson@seattlechildrens.org.

13. Montlake Library: Design update for the new Montlake Branch Library on Thursday, May 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Montlake Community Center, 1618 E Calhoun Street, Tudor Building. For further information, contact Juntine Kim at 206-615-1329 or justine.kim@spl.org or go to www.spl.org.

14. Craft Fair at Magnuson Park: The Best of the Northwest Arts and Crafts Fair will be held from May 9-May 11 in Hangar 27 at Magnuson Park beginning at 10 a.m. Coordinated by the Northwest Craft Alliance, the event will feature over 300 booths with regional artists and craftpersons. Admission is $6. For further information contact the Northwest Craft Alliance at 206-525-6107 or info@bestnwcrafts.com or go to www.bestnwcraft.com.

15. Mom & Me at the Zoo: Moms and families will be treated to a fun-filled day of live music by Tickle Tune Typhoon and Vocalpoint, face painting and games by Clowns Unlimited, Mad Science Demonstrations, zookeeper talks and more on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Woodland Park Zoo.

16. Thyme for Mom! Mother's Day at the Arboretum, Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the traditional Azalea Way stroll, seed-planting for kids and complimentary thyme plants for moms. Also, the Seattle Rhododendron Society will hold its annual show at the Graham Visitors Center.

17. SPACE Rummage Sale: May 16, 17 & 18, Building 18 at Magnuson Park. There is a benefit preview on Friday, May 16 from 7-11 p.m. with $5 admission for donors and $7 for the general public. The event is free on Saturday and Sunday and runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. On hand will be leftover, as-is and overstock art supplies and hardware materials. Materials range from one ton of glow-in-the-dark “space mucus” to matte scraps, material swatches to artist notebooks, a photography darkroom door to a breadbox stuffed with women’s stockings. For further information, call 206-522-9529, email space@sandpointarts.org or go to www.sandpointarts.org.

18. Walking Tour of the Arboretum: Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m.-noon. Meet at the Graham Visitors Center and join the Seattle Parks Foundation for a tour of the 230-acre site. For further information, call the Seattle Parks Foundation at 206-332-9900 or email hilary@seattleparksfoundation.org or go to www.seattleparksfoundation.org.

19. U District Street Fair: Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. This annual event features arts and crafts, two music stages, kids activities and food vendors. For further information, contact Marney Ayers at 206-547-4417.

20. CASA Run/Walk: CASA Speak Up for the Children Run/Walk on May 17 at Magnuson Park. The event is being organized by the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority to benefit the non-profit organization Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Contact Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority at the UW at 206-527-0440 ext. 269 to find out the details and the registration fee.

21. University District Farmers Market: Saturdays, May 24-November 22 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at University Heights Center. Parking tokens available for one-hour parking.

22. GMA Training Workshop: Attend a workshop on May 31 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Growth Management Act (GMA), Critical Areas ordinances and habitat projection at Seattle Central Community College, Room 4106. The event is sponsored by Audubon-Washington, 1000 Friends of Washington and the Washington Environmental Council and supported by Seattle Audubon Society, Rainier Audubon Society, Tahoma Audubon Society, Kitsap Audubon Society, East Lake Washington Audubon Society, Pilchuck Audubon Society, Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society, Livable Communities Coalition and Heron Habitat Helpers. The goal is to train citizens for effective participation in their local government critical areas ordinance updates to protect wetlands, streams, and other fish and wildlife habitats. King County’s critical areas ordinance update process is well underway, but there is plenty of time to learn more about it so that you can comment effectively. Space is limited. Suggested donation is $15, but larger contributions are welcome If you would like to attend this workshop, please e-mail your registration to caoregistration@1000friends.org. Include your name, address, e-mail address, county and city you are interested in. For further information, contact Naki Stevens, Audubon Washington Conservation Director at nstevens@audubon.org or Jesseca Brand at 206-343-0681 or jesseca@1000friends.org. 4.5 CLE credits pending.

23. The Sand Point Market: Antiques, art, fine crafts, and a farmers market all in one location from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Magnuson Park on the following Sundays: June 1, August 3, October 5, and December 7th. Admission is $6.00 per person. Children 12 and under get in free. Included in the market is “The Identification & Valuation of Antiques and Collectibles.” Professional appraisers recognized by the International Society of Appraisers will also be on hand to provide verbal approximations of value and to offer free estimates for professional restoration of all art objects—paintings, ivory, marble by Grashe Fine Art Restorers. For further information, contact Karen Bailey at 1-800-809-4063 or info@nwantiquemarket.com or go to http://www.nwantiquemarket.com. The Sand Point Market is sponsored by the Northwest Antique Market Company. All proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital.

24. 2003 Streetside Garden Contest: Once again, the City of Seattle has partnered with Seattle Tilth and Northwest Garden News to recognize the Emerald City's creative and well tended streetside gardens. SDOT and the City invite you to send in an entry to honor streetside gardens in Seattle. Categories include: Car Stoppin' Gorgeous, Just for Fun! Gateway Planting, Multi-Season Spectacular, Best habitat in the Round, From Ruin to Rescue, Children's Garden and Ciscoe's Ooo La La. To download an application form go to http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/trafficcircles.htm.

Qualifying streetside gardens are in traffic circles, chicanes, curb bulbs, triangles and medians and business district/gateway plantings. Gardens must meet SDOT landscaping in the street rights-of-way guidelines. Entries are due June 1st and judges will be out looking at the finalists from June 15-30. Awards will be presented September 15. For more information contact Liz Ellis at liz.ellis@seattle.gov or 206-684-5008.

25. Side-by-Side Fun Run: This 5K/3-mile walk for individuals, parents and children will be held on May 31 at Magnuson Park. The event which starts at 10 a.m. is a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that reaches out to families who have a child with cancer. For further information, contact Side-by-Side at 206-524-7301 ext. 27 or sidebyside@upc.org or go to www.sidebyside.org/.

26. Summer Safety Fair: The Association of Operations Volunteers (AOV) is sponsoring a free Summer Safety Fair on June 7 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Magnuson Park. The Summer Safety Fair will allow the general public to meet the "people and the agencies that help keep us safe." Come learn important summer safety tips through displays, booths, demonstrations, food, etc. For further information contact the Association of Operations Volunteers at 206-903-9646 or safety-fair@theaov.com or go to www.theaov.com.

27. Summer Solstice Plant Sale: The Arboretum Foundation is sponsoring its annual Summer Solstice Plant Sale on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Graham Visitors Center in the Washington Park Arboretum. A stupendous selection for summer gardens, including drought-tolerant plants, plants for container gardens and more. A special treat: complete container gardens created by area gardening celebrities and others. Celebrity designers and others will be on-hand to answer your questions about drought-tolerant gardening and container gardens! For further information, contact the Arboretum Foundation at 206-325-4510 or gvc@arboretumfoundation.org or go to www.orgsites.com/wa/arboretumfoundation/.

28. 4th Annual Run for Children’s Run/Walk: The Laura Brigman Guild invites you to a 10K run, 5K fun run/walk, a children’s dash and family entertainment on June 15 at 9 a.m. at Magnuson Park. Proceeds benefit Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center uncompensated care fund. For further information, contact the Laura Brigman Guild at 206-528-2777 or go to www.runforchildrens.org.

29. Seattle Celebration of Kites: Come to Kite Hill on June 15 and see many kinds of kites take to the sky. A perfect way to spend Father’s Day too! Enter from NE 65th Street, continue 1/2 mile east to boat launch, and continue to Kite Hill. This free event is sponsored by the Washington Kitefliers Association.

30. Pacific NW Bamboo Society Plant Sale: Saturday, June 7, 2003; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle. For more information call 253-230-5443 or email karen.kelley@ssa.gov.