|
|
Solar power is viable here in Western Washington; it can save money, help reduce carbon emissions and help with energy independence. The “Solarize” projects are neighborhood efforts designed to bring affordable solar energy to Seattle residential neighborhoods and the next Solarize Seattle project will be available for zip codes 98105, 98115 & 98125. The project, “Solarize Seattle: Northeast”, is getting started with the help of the nonprofit organizations Northwest SEED and Sustainable NE Seattle.
Neighborhood volunteers are working to get information about the project out to the eligible areas because registration for participation starts soon, January 17, 2012 and ends April 23, 2012. Free informational workshops make attendees eligible for a free assessment on solar installations by experienced vetted contractors. Savings are increased using group buying power, plus, state and federal incentives, making this project an excellent opportunity for affordable solar installations.
Queen Anne completed its project, Magnolia is completing theirs and NE Seattle is ready to be the next area to take advantage of this local effort to increase affordable residential solar installations. More information is at www.solarizewa.org (or www.solarizeseattle.org) and interested neighbors can sign-up now at the website to get an email when registration begins January 17.
A contact person is Project Coordinator, Alexandra Sawyer, at Northwest SEED, 206-457-5403 or alex@nwseed.org, website www.nwseed.org. Press release information is available on the website.
On the website you can see the upcoming workshops at Meadowbrook Community Center, Mountaineers and Northgate Community Center.
 Ok, this very well might be the most random news I’ve ever posted on here. But it’s been a bit slow and this is too entertaining not to share. Plus, it’s local!
Yes, you did read the title correctly. It turns out that our local mall is going to be displaying a replica of the former president’s casket.
The replica casket was created by an Indiana company from the only known photo of Lincoln lying in state. It’s a little longer than 6 feet long with a white interior and silver handles and has traveled the country for years. The only differences are the replica isn’t lined with lead, and there’s no silver plate with Lincoln’s information on the exterior.
It’s in the area for a couple days and then will spend a couple days at the mall itself.
Turns out the casket is being hosted by Pima Medical Institute’s mortuary science program, which is located a few blocks from the mall. Pima officials say the two-year program helps guide students to careers as funeral directors and embalmers while focusing on compassionate care. The casket is being displayed Wednesday and Thursday atPima’s campus, 9709 Third Ave. N.E., then goes to the mall for two days.
Source:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2012/01/03/dead-presidents-casket-visits-northgate-mall/
Also, if you want to know about Lincoln’s casket and his burial, Wikipedia has all sorts of crazy info. Did you know that he has been moved 17 times and had his coffin opened 6 times?
This week’s artist, Liza, is helping celebrate a new beginning, a new year, in the pocket park, by beautifying it with her colored pencil drawing. She made it at last summer’s Pinehurstfest. Go see it up close in the pocket park kiosk at NE 117th St & 19th Ave NE. Thanks, Liza, it’s beautiful!
If you would like to submit your child’s artwork for the Pocket Park, please email nancy@pinehurstseattle.org. We’ll put it on mat board donated by FRAMEIT Ltd, 539 NE Northgate Way.
Early on December 28th, a man and a woman were apprehended in the act of stealing mail in north Pinehurst. See the story here. From the list of mail items found in their car – credit cards, checks, gift cards, IRS mail, Netflix movies, it appears that as long as such items go through the mail system and end up in mail boxes that are not secure, mail theft will continue to be a lucrative crime. 🙁
This week our artist is Grace, a six year old. Check out her festive holiday drawing in the kiosk at the Pinehurst Pocket Park, NE 117th St & 19th Ave NE. Thanks, Grace! It’s really nice, and brightens up our park!
 If you would like to submit your child’s artwork for the Pocket Park, please email nancy@pinehurstseattle.org. We’ll put it on mat board donated by FRAMEIT Ltd, 539 NE Northgate Way.
If you’re staying home this holiday, here are some safety tips:
- If you have a peep hole in your door, don’t cover it with a wreath or other decoration.
- This is the season for charities, but don’t open your door; talk through the door and ask for ID first.
- After the holidays, shred boxes before you take them to the curb so you don’t advertise electronics purchases.
If you’re hosting a party:
- Hide your valuables.
- Hide prescription medicines instead of leaving them in the medicine cabinet.
- Secure guns.
- Greet guests at the door to make sure no strangers are let in.
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages to help reduce the possibility of DUIs.
- After the party, check that all your doors and windows are still locked.
Terrie Johnston, our Crime Prevention Coordinator, was the guest speaker at North Precinct Advisory Council this month. Good news – the Crime Prevention Coordinators are being retained in 2012. Terrie also had tips for the holiday:
If you’re going away for the holiday –
- Stop newspaper delivery or get a neighbor to pick it up for you.
- Get a neighbor to take in any packages delivered to your porch.
- Use a timer or light sensor to run your porch light from dusk to dawn, not all day.
- Stop mail delivery or get a neighbor to take it in for you. Mail theft is big right now.
- Consider asking a neighbor to park in your driveway.
- Leave a radio on and put some lights on timers.
- Get a house sitter.
- Don’t post vacation plans on social media like Facebook.
- You can ask the police to watch the house. They will try to come by once a shift (there are 3 shifts).
The Seattle Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Section is proposing an update to the current Street Tree Ordinance, which was last revised in February of 1961 (Ordinance #90047). This document was drafted with input from an advisory panel consisting of citizens, commercial arborists and city staff from several departments. The intent of the ordinance update is to provide greater protection to street trees, and to codify current policies and procedures.
You can read the Ordinance and comment here.
There will be a community meeting to learn more about it January 9th, 6:30-8:30 pm at Meadowbrook Community Center 10517 35th NE, rm. 22.
Sorry about the short notice but I wanted to get this out even if it’s seen too late for the event itself. The reduced donations combined with increased demand are a very serious problem.
Wednesday morning, Mayor Mike McGinn joins volunteers from North Helpline Food Bank and Emergency Services in encouraging Seattleites to give back to their communities and support those in need during the holidays and the upcoming winter months.
Recent reports indicate that donations to Seattle area food banks are down by as much as 30% while demand for food assistance continues to increase. The Mayor hopes his visit will serve as a call to action, inspiring neighbors to pack the pantries at local food banks, beginning today.
According to North Helpline, the need for more donations is real. The food bank has served more than 850 households each week during 2011, and their client demand has almost doubled in the last two years. Increases in need and decreases in resources is a shared phenomenon across the city-wide food security system.
“We at the food bank see how this time of year spurs people to action,” said Amy Besunder, Executive Director of North Helpline Food Bank and Emergency Services. “What’s especially great about it is that everybody does whatever they can. Not everyone can donate $1000, a substantial and much-appreciated gift for the families we serve. But everyone can do something. Purchase an extra can of tuna or soup or volunteer some time towards helping us operate the food bank. Mother Teresa said it: If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
About North Helpline:
North Helpline works to prevent homelessness and hunger in Greater North Seattle by providing short-term solutions to combat financial adversity such as providing food, hygiene items, baby supplies, eviction prevention, utility shutoff prevention, and move-in support. Our food bank provides healthy nutritious groceries to over 850 families each week.
Around the end of summer we reported that two witch hazels in the pocket park were stolen. This week we put a new plant in the park and during our digging found the stumps of the witch hazels. They had been cut down, not stolen. We can only speculate how this happened. Now there is green ribbon on young plants so it is clear that they are intentional, not invasives or volunteers.
Just wanted to set the record straight.
The push broom remains missing.
|
Join us on Facebook or Google+
|
