01/05/05

The Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance
Community E-nouncements

"The RNA Neighborhood"


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The Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance's (RNA) mission is to advocate for and inform the community within the RNA boundaries. This is a community-based alliance of residents, local businesses and institutions whose aim is to preserve and enhance the quality of life and to help shape the future of the neighborhood.

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Announcements for January 5, 2005

(Please scroll down for more details)


1. RNA Board Meeting, Today, Wednesday, January 5, 7 PM - Councilmember Richard Conlin guest (Appologies for the late notice - email bounced back, and back, and back.)

2. North Link Neighborhoods for 12th - Sound Transit Will Select A Preferred Roosevelt Alignment January 27th

3. Ways You Can Help Support the 12th Ave NE Tunnel Alignment - Do It Today (or tomorrow - but soon!)

4. Landmark Fence Project Update - Stone and Artifacts are being Installed!

5. History House Exhibit Through January 30th - Neighborhood Community Focus: Northeast Seattle - RNA is participant

Scroll down for details & More (Items 7- 9)


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Note: You may receive additional RNA email this month.


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Notice: New in 2004, RNA considers all within our boundaries as non-paying, non-voting "Neighborhood members". To be a voting member, please scroll down to item # 6. Everyone is welcome to our meetings and events! We encourage your involvement!

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1. RNA Board Meeting, Today, Wednesday, January 5

When: Wednesday, January 5
Time: 7 - 9 PM
Where: YMCA Child Care Room, at 12th Ave NE and NE 50th

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME!

Agenda to include:

Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin will meet with us about upzone proposals and related issues.
Landmark Fence Park Project Update
Sound Transit - the last push toward Sound Transit's selection of a preferred route through Roosevelt

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2. North Link Neighborhoods for 12th - Sound Transit Will Select A Preferred Roosevelt Alignment January 27th

The Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance is working with a coalition of Seattle community groups, businesses and others who are concerned with the future role of light rail mass transit in our neighborhoods and who support a decision by Sound Transit to choose Alternative A1.1 - 12th Ave Tunnel. Now is the time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and pitch in with the decision date looming in only a few weeks on January 27th.

Many of you are aware that there are two options for Link Light Rail from the University District through Roosevelt District on the table: 8th Ave NE Elevated, with a portal and track where 20 single family homes now stand next to I-5 on 8th, north of the Mormon Church AND the 12th Ave NE Tunnel with a station under ground in the heart of the Roosevelt Business District. You might ask:

Why 12th?

Community groups, commercial developers and urban planning experts are unanimous and emphatic in their support of the 12th Avenue alignment. Here’s why:

> Supports the Urban Village – The Roosevelt Neighborhood Plan calls for development of a “town center” with a transit hub in the core, to anchor and focus community development and activity. Compact, pedestrian-friendly environments keep neighborhoods livable, active and safe.

> Encourages Transit-Oriented Development – Abundant opportunities exist on and near the 12th Avenue site, to accommodate high quality, tax generating residential and commercial developments. The Roosevelt neighborhood embraces smart growth and density, but we need the transit infrastructure to support it.



> Creates Model and Momentum for Successful Transit Projects – Roosevelt’s central station will catalyze development and ridership in a vibrant urban village. Experience suggests that this success will encourage, ensure and extend voter support for mass transit in Puget Sound, which is essential for the future of the region.

In contrast, the 8th Avenue alignment accomplishes none of these things, and there is no constituency for this option. It is interesting only for it’s marginally lower cost and it will be only marginally successful.

Let’s do it right the first time, and build a transit hub that we can all be proud of!

For more information, go to www.NLN12.org - North Link Neighborhoods for 12th, an ad hoc group of neighbors, organizations, businesses and institutions.


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3. Ways You Can Help Support the 12th Ave NE Tunnel Alignment - Do It Today (or tomorrow - but soon!)

And Encourage Sound Transit to Vote for Alternative A1.1 as the preferred alignment on January 27th:

Roll up your sleeves and help!

1. Put these meetings on your calendar - PLEASE ATTEND - the more the merrier!:

Tuesday, Jan. 25th: Sound Transit Community Meeting, at Calvary Temple, 6801 8th Ave NE, at 7 PM.

Thursday, Jan. 27th: ST Board meeting, at Union Station, 1 PM, and plan to speak to the board. (Timed at approx. 2 minutes.)


2. Help the ad hoc "North Link Neighborhoods for 12th":

a) Ably led by Jim O'Halloran of the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association, the ad hoc group of concerned community residents, business owners and organizations is meeting weekly on Monday evenings at 7:30 at Calvary Temple, located on 8th Avenue NE between 68th and 69th Streets. The group is currently called the "NE 12th Group".

b) Visit www.NLN12.org to take a tour, find out answers to all your questions (FAQs), how to help with letters you can write and meetings to be at!

>>> For the next two weeks, NLN for 12th is asking everyone to write to the Sound Transit Boardmembers, singly or all, email or paper (the preferred style), send children's letters, photo essays, or other expressions of a positive nature to express support for the light rail station at 12th in Roosevelt - the Alternative A1.1 12th Ave NE Tunnel.<<<

c) To assist your participation, you are invited to join a NLN for 12th web group. Please contact Jen and she'll arrange to have the invitation sent to you. (jenkeys@yahoo.com)

3. Participate in RNA's "SAVE 8th Committee" - now "RNA Neighbors for 12th Committee":

To support these broad-based activities, RNA has a committee to do our part. This is a very critical and time-sensitive issue and you are encouraged to help.

a) RNA needs people to help get the newsletter and NLN flyer out January 15th through 23rd.

b) Write Those Letters - everyone can help by writing letters to Sound Transit Board members and attending two Sound Transit meetings this month to turn out the spirit! Go to www.NLN12.org for a list and suggestions.

c) Please reply to this email to join the RNA's "Neighbor's for 12th" email group.


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4. Landmark Fence Project Update

Great progress is being made on the Landmark Fence! We hope you've seen the activity. After only a short time, the project is well underway.


> The Lightening Creek river rock from Idaho is being applied by Chris Robinson, Techtonics. He's doing a marvelous job. Go by and say hello!
> The Artifacts artwork by Tracy Hager, using items gathered from our community is being installed and are meeting with our highest expectations - take a look!
> The Foundation Stones are done! We'll be considering another FS drive to help pay for the remaining bit of fence on 50th. Keep that in mind!
> The completion date is targeted for mid-February.

The project will be extended down 50th Street to the tennis courts once construction of the gateway is completed. We will examine the funds remaining, the cost breakdown for each element and various design options. Anything left to build after this construction period is going to include more fundraising and will be a new construction phase to be done as soon as possible, 2005! If you have good ideas on funding sources, please let us know.

For more info or to offer your help, please reply to this email.

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5. History House Exhibit Through January 30th - Neighborhood Community Focus: Northeast Seattle

RNA is a participant in History House's Exhibit - Seattle Neighborhood Community Focus: Northeast Seattle

The exhibition will run from November 6th through January 30th.

History House of Greater Seattle
790 N. 34th Street
In Fremont - Directly Under The Aurora Bridge

206 675-8875 or hhouse@scn.org

Participants and Friends of Northeast Seattle,

It is our pleasure to send you this invitation to attend the opening of our Seattle Neighborhood Community Focus exhibition celebrating Northeast Seattle.

Over 40 organizations and individuals from the Northeast Seattle Area will be sharing their stories at the exhibit. These photo and caption exhibits, PowerPoint presentations, DVDs and videos will display the impressive history and diversity of Northeast Seattle. The exhibition will run from November 6th through January 30th.

John Nordstrand
Operations Director


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More:

6. Yes, Join!
7. Websites
8. The 2004 RNA Organization

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6. Yes, Join!

The RNA's name says it all - we're an "alliance" of neighbors, grass roots and community lead. RNA is as strong as its membership, so help us achieve our goals by being an active member: come to our meetings and take part in making positive changes to improve our community.

RNA isn't about money, everyone in our community matters. But dues-paying members are the ones that are tallied as RNA "members", which is important for validating our organization to the city, other organizations and grant makers. Due-paying members get the newsletter out, pay for stamps, support RNA organizational expenses.

Dues range from a welcomed $10 to a more generous contribution of $30 (or more).

To join: Send in the membership form!
To renew: Are you current? Please check your last/next newsletter mailing label for the due date!

Its easy....

1. Print this email and clip the form. Or copy and paste onto a document.
(To print this email message and avoid printing entire message - on the print menu select one of the pages! I.e. # 2 out of 1 - 4. "Print preview"shows the page organization, if you have that option.)

2. Mail to:

The Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance
C/o University Neighborhood Service Center
4534 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105

Or, log on to RNA's on-line membership form:http://www.scn.org/rna/forms/mem_form.htm


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RNA 2004 Membership Form

Please print and mail your membership today - Don’t Delay!

Name _______________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

City __________________________________________________________________ Zip ___________________

Phone ______________________________________ E-mail _______________________________________

"I would like to join the Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance with a one year, tax-deductible membership":

Single $25 ____ Family $30 ____ Limited Inc. $10 ____ Contributing $50 ____ Business $50____ Benefactor $100 ____

Volunteers are crucial to the vitality of our organization - so please say "Yes, I would like to volunteer some of my time to help RNA serve our neighborhood!":

Mailings _________ Special Projects ________ Telephone _______ Short Duration Tasks_______

"I would like to donate additional funds towards":
University Playground Park Fund and the Landmark Fence project (artwork fence, new perimeter fence, ball field and tennis court improvements). Please inform us if your employer will match your donation.
Land use - Your direct support will assist us in our endeavors towards a livable community.
(Please write the dollar amount and "Park Fund" or "Land Use Fund" in memo - Otherwise donation will go into the 'general fund'.)

Membership forms are also in all RNA newsletters. Newsletters can be found at the University Branch Library, University Neighborhood Service Center, University Heights Center for the Community and the University Family YMCA. Or newsletters are available by mail; for these please reply to this message, call Nancy Bocek 632-7760, or write Nancy Bocek 5011 9th Ave NE, 98105. Newsletters are provided with your membership.

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7. Websites

Visit RNA's website: http://www.scn.org/rna

Website for Northeast Seattle calendar and news: Northeast Seattle is a web source for community news, events and information. http://www.northeastseattle.com/home.htm

Maple Leaf Neighborhood bulletin board: http://www.MapleLeafNeighborhood.org

Daylighting Ravenna Creek in Cowen Park:
http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/projects/RavennaCreekatCowen.htm

City Council Website http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/council This is a link to the City Council homepage through which you can visit each individual councilmember's site. You can also choose to go to the mayor's, which is hyperlinked to the above web site.

Citywide Directory http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/directory/ This is a great resource for looking up city employees, departments and services.

Access Washington http://access.wa.gov/ State government and services information and links.

Metropolitan King County Council homepage http://www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/members/members.htm Links and information for King County Council.
Panorama showing 95 years of change in our beautiful city: http://www.kokogiak.com/projects/seawft/reveal_3a.html .

One especially good site is History Link: http://www.historylink.org/ This site is great for student research. It includes very good short "Magic Lantern Tours" (several by Paul Dorpat) and a personal file for keeping essays, images, links and notes.

Historic Seattle: Historic Seattle, founded in 1974, is the only city-wide nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation of Seattle's architectural legacy. www.historicseattle.org

A great resource is the Seattle Times "150 Years: Seattle By and By"/"Seattle Through the Years" from November 13, 2001: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/local/seattle_history/articles/timeline.html . This site has good links to other history sites as well. You can spend hours looking through them. (As I have!)

Another Seattle Times resource of Census 2000 data in "Your Neighborhood": I especially like the maps showing income distribution, growth and population density. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/census2000/yncharts/nw/map/newzip_dbf61_m10000.html

More details on the Census 2000 can be researched at: http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html

Powers of Ten View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Just to get a more universal perspective! http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html


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8. The 2004 RNA Organization

Officers:
Karen Schmidt, President
Nancy Bocek, Vice President
Tina Roush, Treasurer
Angela Storey*, Secretary

Members-at-Large:
Susan Coleman
Carmen Cook*
Mark Gardner
Mary Hausladen
Paul Willard*

*New to the Board in 2004

Also:

Arn Slettebak, Daylighting Ravenna Creek Representative
Eric Larson, CUCAC Representative, Land Use Advisor
Mary Hausladen, University Playground Park Committee Co-Chair
Mark Gardner, Land Use Committee
Nancy Bocek, Newsletter editor and University Playground Park Committee Co-Chair
Phillip Thiel, Land Use Advisor
Susan Coleman, NEDC Representative, Ave Group and U-D Arts and Heritage Committee Representative
Kate Campbell, NEDC Alternate Representative
Paul Willard, UDCC representative (and Board member)

Many other volunteers have given much appreciated help in 2003-4 to deliver newsletters and leaflets, help produce the newsletter and website, volunteered to do project outreach, decision-making and more :

(Including) Mark Bocek, Lyla Ciardi, Carmen Cook, Sharon Dunn, Betsy Friedland, Darcey Harding, Ylva Hernlund, Tracy Hager, Catherine Hinrichsen, Joan Horn, Patricia and Patrick Keenan, Jennifer Kuhn, Sarah Larson (and friends), Susan MacKenzie, Bob Martin, Nick DiMartino, Valerie Mehring, Jennifer Peterson, Bill Purdy, Jay Regenstreif, Jane Rowley, Arn and Kathy Slettebak, Lucy Sloman, Julian Wheeler, Mary Wills, Mina Wirth, Corinne Cook, and Steve Wirbilowicz.

Volunteer opportunities include: Board of Directors, land use, transportation, University Playground Park, U-D open space, membership, grant writing, newsletter and website. Your participation is welcomed.

The RNA is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.


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You are welcome to contribute to this "e-nouncement". Please submit your announcement or other information in ready-to-go paragraph form, either in an email message or as a Word document to nancybocek@att.net . The Editor and the RNA Board reserve the right to accept or deny materials submitted and otherwise edit to suit "e-nouncement" format.

Information presented in this e-mail newsletter is not necessarily the position, policy or activity of the Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance. The Editor and the RNA Board may choose to post information of an educational or informative nature that might be of interest to the community in compliance with the purpose of the RNA organization to inform and educate the community on all issues that pertain to the quality of life in our neighborhood.

To request to be removed from this list please email nancybocek@att.net .

--- Nancy Bocek, Newsletter Editor