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Drop off your election ballots at select Neighborhood Service Centers today!
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ open house events occurring Tuesday evening, November 3. The open houses will occur at the six Neighborhood Service Centers that serve as drop-off locations for election ballots. Department of Neighborhoods’ District Coordinators will host the events and encourage all residents to drop in and enjoy refreshments after dropping off their ballot. Attendees will receive giveaways, pick up resource information on the Department of Neighborhoods and City services, and learn about opportunities for civic engagement.
Ballot boxes are open until 8 p.m.
The schedule of the open houses is as follows:
- Ballard Neighborhood Service Center (5604 22nd Ave NW): 4 – 8 p.m.
- Central Neighborhood Service Center (2301 S. Jackson St. #208): 3 – 7 p.m.
- Delridge Neighborhood Service Center: (5405 Delridge Way): 3 – 7 p.m.
- Lake City Neighborhood Service Center (12525 28th Ave NE): 3 – 7 p.m.
- Southeast Neighborhood Service Center (3815 S. Othello St. #105): 3 – 7 p.m.
- University Neighborhood Service Center (4534 University Way NE): 4 – 8 p.m.
From Ed Pottharst at the Lake City Service Center:
At the Lake City NSC election eve open house, we also will have a play-it-yourself Seattle trivia game. Coffee from Bean City Coffee and pastries from Minoo Bakery on Lake City Way.
Visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nsc for additional location information.
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods works to bring government closer to our residents through civic engagement, community empowerment and involvement by all residents for the betterment of their community. To receive the Department of Neighborhoods newsletter, sign up at www.seattle.gov/lists/neighborhoodnews.htm.
Seattle City Council passed the proposed backyard cottage legislation today. Here is the press release:
SEATTLE – The Council today adopted legislation to allow the construction of backyard cottages on eligible lots in single-family zones throughout the city. Backyard cottages also referred to as “detached accessory dwelling units,” have been permitted in Southeast Seattle since 2006, and approximately 20 have been constructed since that time.
“This is a smart and modest step to create affordable housing options, help someone pay their mortgage, get older on their property, or to make a room for a son or daughter moving back home,” said Councilmember Sally J. Clark.
After more than a year’s work involving public testimony, surveys, meetings in the community, briefings, and tours, the Council voted to carry over the development standards from Southeast Seattle to the rest of the city. Backyard cottages will be limited to 800 square feet, including garage and storage space. The legislation also prohibits the construction of backyard cottages on lots less than 4,000 square feet or located in a Shoreline District.
The property owner must live in either the principle structure or the backyard cottage for at least six months out of the year. Other requirements include a side yard setback of at least five feet and limiting the total lot coverage of the principle residence, backyard cottage and any other accessory structures to 35 percent.
The legislation also states that if a homeowner currently has an attached unit, such as a basement or attic apartment, those homes would not be eligible to build a backyard cottage.
Amendments to the legislation include reducing the maximum permitted height to 22 feet unless the lot is at least 50 feet wide or served by a rear alley. It also eliminates the earlier proposed cap of 50 on the amount of cottage permits allowed per year.
“We learned a lot looking at the cottages in Southeast and the older ones in the North neighborhoods,” Clark said. “This will be a tool that gives people a new housing option while preserving single-family density and building rules.”
The full bill with amendments, C.B. 116528 is available on line from the City Clerk website.
Br. John Ryan, Pastoral Associate at St. George Episcopal Church on NE 125th Street has asked us to help spread the word that the folks at Tent City are in desperate need of washable blankets.
If you have blankets to donate or if you know others who do, please drop them off to Tent City. Tent City will be located at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 2212 NE 125th St. Seattle, WA 98125 until January 2, 2010.
Thank you to folks who have sent in Halloween photos! If you have not sent any in and would like to share, please e-mail them.
From Erica – Cinder (Erica’s friend’s dog) celebrated her three-leggedness in this wonderful H’ween costume.
From Erica: It was also very wonderful to see the new baby of Candace and Brian (baby in ladybug costume, Brian in bunny ears and Candace in Western hat). I’d known they were expecting, but hadn’t actually gotten to see her yet.
From Erica: I’ve been sick, but managed to rustle up a bee costume for the dog — Charlie’s favorite toy is a squeaky bee!
From Erica: My fabulous neighbors’ nephew Matt, who recently moved here from Indiana and is looking for a job and is in theater – made this super cool gremlin for our Dead End sign.
From Seattle Public Schools School Beat e-news:
The Building Excellence III (BEX III), capital bond approved by Seattle voters in 2007, funds a series of improvements at Nathan Hale High School, including a new library, radio station, visual arts classrooms and fitness center. These improvements, completed this fall, are part of an eco-friendly phased modernization and expansion program at the school. School leaders report that students seem more engaged in learning in the new library. This light-filled space is attracting students to the after-school study program and to the technology area. The hallway leading to the library, which is shared by the art classrooms and radio station, acts as gallery space showcasing Nathan Hale art students’ work.
Award-winning radio station, KNHC C89.5 began broadcasting from its new studio in October. Now in its 38th year of broadcasting, the station is part of the District’s Career and Technical Education program. Each week, more than 35 student DJs, technicians, and operations personnel reach an audience of more than 350,000 listeners worldwide. The program has been a strong pathway to college and careers. Alumni include local radio personalities, Associated Press reporters and Grammy Award winners, as well as business professionals at Intel, Boeing and Microsoft.
Photos, full construction project information and updates are available on the BEX Web site, or check out the Nathan Hale Web cam.
Here’s a picture of Bunky and Garth Ferber — who sometimes takes care of Bunky here in Pinehurst when his relative Clark, who is Garth’s great-grandfather’s brother’s son (!), goes on vacation. I can’t figure out what relation Clark is to Garth, can you?
 When Bunky wakes up in the morning he makes a racket, and if you haven’t been around parrots — when they make a racket it is LOUD — until he gets his breakfast. Then Bunky gradually settles down for the day.
Bunky is about 28 years old. Is that old for a parrot? It depends. But since Bunky is an Amazon Parrot, it means that he is probably middle aged; many of them live to 60-80 years of age!
As I researched further, I learned that Amazon Parrots are known for being quite amazing talkers. Many of them will learn many words and phrases and will often learn to use the phrases in the correct context and with appropriate expression. Many become great singers and love to listen to and mimic music. (from http://www.bluefrontparrot.com/)
An important note: as beautiful and intelligent and long-lived as these birds are, they are NOT a pet for an inexperienced owner. They need significantly more care than a dog or cat to remain healthy and well-socialized.
The Great Dog Shoppe is committed to building community in Pinehurst, if you mention that you read the Pinehurst Pet of the Week in the blog they will give you a free treat for your pet!
Thanks to Vicki for sharing this photo of Scooty and Ernie who visited the local Alzheimers facility yesterday in their Halloween costumes, where they charmed everyone.
“Trick-or-treat, we don’t care if it’s a cup of coffee!”
(I am reposting this from Lake City Live)
Looking for a chance to get a head start on your Christmas shopping – stop by the International Gift Sale. November 13th and 14th, Seattle Mennonite Church is holding a holiday craft sale to support Ten Thousand Villages. Don’t miss this chance to buy handcrafted works from 38 different countries (including jewelery, furninture, clothing, and home decor). 10% of the proceeds will be used to support Lake City’s homeless population – with the rest going to support international craftsmen.
Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to artisans in developing countries by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, housing, education and health care. The program now involves thousands of artisans and their families.
November 13th-14th
Fri 10-7 & Sat 10-5
Seattle Mennonite Church
3120 NE 125th
Phone: 206-361-4630
Join your neighbors for a few hours in helping to restore Victory Creek by removing invasive plants, mulching, planting native species, cleaning up the litter in the park and caring for this small wonderful native habitat.
Sponsored by the Seattle Creek Steward Program
Everyone is welcome!
The project is teen friendly!
When: Noon – 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 8th
Where: Meet at Victory Creek Park – off the QFC parking lot at NE Northgate Way and Roosevelt Way NE
Questions or for more information: Eric & Alika Madis, Creek Stewards
emadis@juno.com (206) 362-8331
Here’s a timely message from the Seattle Fire Department:
As the end of Daylight Saving Time approaches on Sunday, November 1st, the Seattle Fire Department wants to remind residents to change their smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks. Smoke alarms powered by lithium long-life batteries do not need to be changed yearly.
Most fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms. The most commonly cited cause of nonworking smoke alarms: dead or missing batteries. In a home fire, a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death by half.
The Seattle Fire Department can install smoke alarms and batteries free of charge in homes where the homeowner is either a senior citizen, living on a low income, or has a disability. If you live outside the city of Seattle, please contact your local Fire Department to request assistance.
Smoke alarm maintenance is one of the simplest methods of protecting your home and family from fires. For more information or to request assistance changing smoke alarms and batteries contact the Seattle Fire Department at (206) 386-1337.
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