Pinehurst Seattle

What is the most popular blog post ever on the Pinehurst Blog?

Before that, this was the most popular.

I am getting the message on what is important to folks. While we are on the topic, don’t forget to check out this series.

Pinehurst e-mail mailings

My media consultant (okay, media savvy involved Pinehurst neighbor, Karla) has given feedback that:

– I should only send e-mails weekly to the Pinehurst mailing list
– That the weekly e-mail should be sent on Friday mornings
– We should have a fun name for the weekly mailings
– The mailing should link to the blog as much as possible

So, I am asking:

1. What do you think of this? Please respond in the comments to this post. You can do so anonymously. And, e-mail me if you have any trouble with the comments function on the blog.
2. What name ideas do you have? (We will do a blog poll to decide on a name if we can get a few suggestions)
3. What types of topics would you like to see covered in this weekly mailing?
4. What other suggestions do you have?

If you are not on the mailing list and want to be, subscribe at this link (use the box on the right side), or e-mail me.

Seattle Politicos Mixer – 3/31

Are you interested in meeting many of the candidates who are running for Seattle City Council positions and other public offices in 2009? Join Seattle Politicos for our first ever event – a mixer on Tuesday, March 31st at the South Lake Union Discover Center. You can simply show up to the event. Or, you can also learn more Seattle Politicos at our Facebook site where Facebook members can RSVP to the event.

It should be a lot of fun and it would be great to see you there!

Seattle Politicos Mixer
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
5:30pm – 7:00pm
South Lake Union Discovery Center
101 Westlake Avenue North
Seattle, WA

Homework Help at the Northgate Library

Got homework?

Trained volunteers are at the Northgate Library to assist students in grades K through 12 with school work on a drop-in basis every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM during the school year (excepting school holidays). Homework Help volunteers can help students understand their homework assignments, develop effective study skills, learn successful approaches for solving math problems and more. Northgate Library’s wonderful volunteers are a highly educated (most have graduate degrees and one is currently pursuing her PhD in education), enthusiastic, and supportive bunch. They are especially skilled at working with new English speakers.

Homework Help is a free service available to all elementary, middle, and high school students. For more information about Homework Help at the Northgate Library, please call (206) 386-1980 or visit their website.

Stranger article on Lake City’s Little Beirut

There is an article in this week’s Stranger on Lake City crime and the locally notorious Little Brook Park (aka “Little Beirut”).

What you can do: Home Security Review – Free and Valuable (just do it)

This is the fourth in a series of posts on what neighbors can do to help reduce and prevent crime in our neighborhood.

At all of her block watch and crime prevention meetings Diane Horswill of North Precinct offers to meet individually with community members at their homes to advise them on specific measures they do to improve the safety and security of their homes.

After the December 2008 Pinehurst Residential Burglary Report came out and I shared it with my husband, we contacted Diane to learn more about what we can do to improve our home security.

Diane generously met at our house and gave a number of specific suggestions (ideas ranging from trimming trees and bushes to installing new doors) that we have been working through. We are very grateful for Diane’s suggestions.

Diane’s role at the Seattle Police Department is to work with community members to help educate them in crime prevention. A key way that Diane works with neighborhoods is in helping neighbors to organize block watch groups.

You can reach Diane at: diane.horswill@seattle.gov or at (206) 684-7711.

15th Avenue NE at 105th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project

This was originally posted in November 2008, but I am reposting because the actual renovation period is getting nearer and because a few folks have recently expressed interest in this project. Also, if you are interested in having a speaker on this issue at our next meeting, please note that in the comments to this post.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is preparing to rehabilitate the bridge that crosses Thornton Creek on 15th Avenue NE at 105th Street. Due to age and increased traffic volumes, the bridge has deteriorated and needs to be repaired to ensure safe travel across Thornton Creek.

The bridge crosses the Northgate Branch of Thornton Creek on 15th Avenue NE at 105th Street. The bridge is approximately 1 ½ blocks south of NE Northgate Way, between NE 105th Street and NE 107th Street, and is near Thornton Creek Park.

This project is one of six bridges included in the City of Seattle’s Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program.

Project Benefits
Improves safety.
• Corrects structural deficiencies due to the larger vehicle loads.
• Repairs the pedestrian railing.
• Increases pedestrian comfort by providing a physical separation between the sidewalks and traffic lanes.

Protects an important asset.
• Extends the bridge’s useful life by decades.

Reduces the City’s maintenance backlog.
• Contributes to the improvement of Seattle’s transportation system.
Improvements include:
• Strengthening the bridge structure.
• Repaving the bridge surface.
• Replacing expansion joints.
• Repairing cracks and spalls in concrete.
• Adding a separation railing between the sidewalks and the traffic lanes.
• Increasing the substandard height of the pedestrian railing.
• Correcting settlement problems on the south approach to the bridge.
• Correcting erosion problems under the bridge.

Construction Information
• The majority of work is expected to occur from the bridge deck.
• SDOT anticipates construction beginning in late 2009.
• Construction plans are under development. SDOT will work closely with the community to share information as it becomes available.
• Partial and full closure of the bridge is anticipated during construction.

Environmental Considerations
• Some construction access to the ravine and floodplain will be required to retrofit the bridge from below – a buffer area will be established to protect Thornton Creek.
• Any disturbed areas will be replanted.
• This project will be reviewed under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA); a SEPA Checklist will be prepared as required to evaluate any potential environmental impacts.

Project Funding
This project is funded by Bridging the Gap, a voter-approved $365 million dollar levy for transportation maintenance and improvements.

Over the next nine years, Bridging the Gap will address the City’s mounting transportation problems and create a strong foundation for Seattle’s transportation future by reducing the infrastructure backlog and investing in major transportation projects.

Want to Learn More?
Kit Loo, Project Manager – (206) 684-3669 or kit.loo@seattle.gov
LeAnne Nelson, Project Communications – (206) 684-3897 or leanne.nelson@seattle.gov

What you can do: Be part of a block watch

This is the third in a series of posts on what neighbors can do to help reduce and prevent crime in our neighborhood.

Become involved in a blockwatch.

We all have busy schedules and many of us don’t have time to socialize and meet with our neighbors. Nearly all of us have e-mail now and it’s become a fantastic way to keep neighbors informed of activities. Let your neighbors know when you’re on vacation, pick up newspapers, mail or UPS packages that otherwise tell stranger that “no one is home”. Sometimes neighbors communicate pieces of a crime puzzle that when put together, can result in criminal charges. Few tools are more effective in deterring crime by strangers than joining and utilizing a blockwatch. Click here for more information: http://www.seattle.gov/Police/programs/Blockwatch/default.htm

Or, contact Diane Horswill at diane.horswill@seattle.gov or (206) 684-7711)

What you can do: Report "broken windows"

This is the second in a series of posts on what neighbors can do to help reduce and prevent crime in our neighborhood.

Report “broken windows” in your neighborhood. You can also simply call or fill out an online reporting form for things that need to be fixed, repaired, or replaced in your neighborhood. Here are some links to help report problems.

Abandoned Vehicles or call 206-684-8763
Broken Street lights or call 206-684-7056
Clogged Storm Drains or call 206-386-1800
Damaged or Downed Traffic Stop Signs or call 206-684-7623
Graffiti on Public Property or call 206-625-5011
Illegal Trash Dumping
Non-functioning Traffic Lights or call 206-684-ROAD
Pot Holes or Damaged Pavement or call 206-684-7508

Or, you can call 684-CITY (2489).

What you can do: Call 911

This is the first in a series of posts on what neighbors can do to help reduce and prevent crime in our neighborhood.

Report crime and suspected criminal activity to 911.

Although that sounds obvious, many people simply won’t call 911. Sometimes folks feel intimidated by the 911 operator, they believe someone else must have already called, they’re not sure how to describe what they saw, or they simply don’t want to get involved.

There is a saying in the police department: “If you didn’t report it, it didn’t happen.”

Criminal justice resources are assigned where there are documented problems. All 911 calls are documented. If 911 isn’t called, the documentation will not reflect an accurate assessment of criminal activity and resources will be assigned accordingly.

Pinehurst Seattle

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