|
||||||
|
This Drop-In program is designed to broaden speech and understanding of the English language. The emphasis will be on conversation and discussion, but not at the exclusion of pronunciation and grammar. This is an open course and no prerequisites are required. Students should bring the information necessary for students’ success. Mondays and Tuesdays Northgate Community Center
I was out walking Charlie early in the morning the other day, when I heard an unfamiliar bird racket. A few moments later, I rounded a corner and noticed a woman peering through some sort of scope on the corner of 23rd NE and NE 113th. I met Barbara Deihl, who is an Audubon member, and part of a group of people, many, but not all of whom have Audubon connections. They are monitoring a Merlin nest in our neighborhood. This is significant, since Merlins rarely nest in urban areas.
(To hear vocalizations, similar, but not exactly what I heard, check out this very, very cool website: http://www.merlinfalconfoundation.org/vocalizations) The current thinking is that this year’s nest in Pinehurst is occupied by a pair of Merlins who nested in Victory Heights last year in what was the very first recorded Merlin nest in Seattle! One of the most dramatic stories I’ve heard from last year is that one of the chicks fell out of the nest before it was able to fly. One of the neighbors at the Victory Heights site rescued it and let Kim McCormick, a Merlin enthusiast who was helping monitor the nest know about the incident. Kim brought it to PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood. While the remaining nestlings matured, Kim and the PAWS people stayed in touch. When the day came that the chicks were ready to fledge from the nest, the PAWS people brought the rescued bird, who was also ready to fly, back to the neighborhood. The fledglings who had remained in the nest and the one who fell out were reunited at that time. Kim has a website with lots of great photos www.pbase.com/kimmccormick and so does Marv Breece, who was also part of the group monitoring the nest last year. http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/seattle_merlins_2008 The Seattle Times did an article and a video clip about the nest: In addition, the article on page 6 of Audubon’s February 2009 Earthcare Northwest is very informative. Four and maybe five (or possibly a wing lump) of the chicks in this year’s nest! (photo courtesy of Barbara Deihl) Before I had to hurry off to get ready for work, Barb let me look through her spotting scope. I got to see the chicks ripping apart what was probably a bird that the parents had brought them! Barb tells me that Merlins eat primarily small birds which they take in flight – occasionally they may eat dragonflies and bats. The noise I’d heard earlier was probably Spike (the female) calling out to the male, Thor. Barb says that they haven’t yet heard the chicks make noise. The chicks really can’t be seen by the naked eye from the street, but the group monitoring the nest are planning to be in the neighborhood watching the nest, particularly in the evenings for the next couple of weeks — until the chicks are fledged. If you want to see something really cool, drop by and see if someone is there with a spotting scope. They are delighted to share what they know; the support of the neighborhood is vital in protecting and supporting this nest and habitat. The nest monitoring will continue through the upcoming fledgling stage in the next couple of weeks, and on through the summer and into the fall. In addition, Barb has graciously offered to allow me to publish her home phone number, 206-525-7644, in case you have questions or if you have any interesting sightings to share with her. When Barb is at the site, she will bring an album with photos from last years’ and this year’s nest to share with anyone who is interested. If you would like to see your pet featured in the Pinehurst Pet of the Week column, please send a photo and a few stories about your pet to Erica at ehas2dogs@gmail.com — I’m always looking for new pets to include.
City Planning & Development Department staff will present the backyard cottage proposal and want to hear your thoughts. Information: Andrea Petzel, Seattle Department of Planning and Development, 615-1256, andrea.petzel@seattle.gov. Learn more http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/BackyardCottages/Overview/ . And, read the previous post on the proposal here.
Between now and June 20th, you can cast your vote for which zip code AmazonFresh will open next. This round of voting pits the downtown Seattle zips 98101 and 98104 against the north neighborhood zip codes of 98177, 98133, 98125, and 98155. The zip code with the majority of votes will be where they expand next. And, they expect to open the winning zip code the week following the vote. Vote today at www.amazonfresh.com/VoteForZip.
In case you have not already been following the issues around potential Metro route cuts, there is an update in today’s Seattlepi.com here. How green is King County? Well, in part, that depends on who our King County Executive is, and his or her positions on critical environmental issues. As the race for King County Executive heats up, we have a chance to find out where candidates stand on the environment. Former KC Executive Ron Sims was a local champion of environmental issues. Whoever fills this position will make critical decisions that impact the health of Puget Sound, our transportation options, how we manage growth, and more. So, the question is: which candidate will be the best environmental leader as the next King County Executive? Find out at the King County Green Choice Debate! WHAT: Debate between the King County Executive candidates on issues ranging from transit-oriented housing to Puget Sound, to open spaces and parks. WHEN: Tuesday, June 30th at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm) WHERE: Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle WA Click here to RSVP today! The event is FREE, but space is limited. This nonpartisan debate is co-sponsored by broad range of environmental organizations, fair housing advocates, and environmental justice groups including Transportation Choices Coalition. Attending this debate is a great way to find out where candidates stand on key environmental issues. It’s also a chance to let them know that environmental issues are a priority for you, as a King County voter. Please make sure you RSVP. Once you’ve RSVPed, you’ll have the opportunity to submit your own question to potentially be asked at the debate. During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft. Reasons for this include:
We want to remind you about the potential for an increase in burglary and theft and provide you with concrete steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability. Please share these tips with your neighbors. Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened
Lock Your Doors
Working In The Yard
Secure Tools and Ladders
If Away For An Extended Period Of Time
Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended
Northeast Seattle Trails Project recently held their second steering committee meeting and wanted to update all of us on where they are at with the process. They have received input on a number of good walking routes from the community and have placed these on attached preliminary map and trail network (see below and click on the images to enlarge). They are beginning the next step, which is to evaluate these routes in the field to discover the preferred walking trails/routes. They are also in the process of organizing community walks to help identify good walking routes and areas that need improvement.
NEST is looking for volunteers to help with the field work. If you have the time and interest in helping us do this, please pick a route(s) or area to walk and use the attached walking survey tool to evaluate the trails/routes. Then return this to NEST along with any pictures you take while your out. The survey asks questions about the quality of the path, the crossings, ambiance, and local destinations. If we could get most of these back by July 10, that will help us compile the trails so we can begin to narrow the overall trail system. To use the walking (audit) tool:
Also, if you are interested in helping organize walks this summer, please let NEST know, we are looking for volunteers to help with this as well. Please visit http://www.feetfirst.info/content/trails-1/northeast-seattle-trails to take the NEST on-line survey and find out more information about the project. (click on the images below to enlarge)
Suki is 9 year Suki’s favorite things; to follow her person around (everywhere/all the time) and anything that squeaks. No toy remains intact with her for very long – she enjoys them to the fullest! The Great Dog Shoppe is deeply committed to building community in Pinehurst. Please mention that you read the Pinehurst Pet of the Week in the blog and get a free treat for your pet! If you would like to see your pet featured in the Pinehurst Pet of the Week column, please send a photo and a few stories about your pet to Erica at ehas2dogs@gmail.com |
 
|
|||||
|
Copyright © 2020 Pinehurst Seattle - All Rights Reserved Hosted by VPSLink.com Powered by WordPress & Atahualpa |
||||||
