Saturday, February 22, 2014

Community Meeting about new Olympic Hills Elementary

Below is a letter from Seattle Public Schools inviting the community to view and provide feedback on early designs for the new elementary school.

You can find more information about the project at the project's website.



Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Crime and Public Safety Survey

The new North Precinct Captain, David Emmerick, would like to get feedback regarding public safety concerns. Please take a moment to fill out this one question survey.


Monday, January 6, 2014

Crosswalk at 125th and 20th

A cross walk was put in recently on 125th at 20th. In addition to the street markings and the school crossing signs, a small island is being installed in the turn lane. Some residents had questions about why it was being installed and SDOT responded. Below is their response.




Why did the crosswalk at 20th Avenue NE and NE 125th Street get marked?
There were no marked crosswalks across NE 125th Street between 25th Avenue NE and 15th Avenue NE – a distance of nearly half-mile. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) marked the crosswalk and installed school crosswalk signs to make crossing the street easier, to improve pedestrian connections between neighborhoods, and to make the crossing safer and more appealing to existing and potential transit users. There are bus stops, a church and a child care center located at this intersection. The walk zone for Olympic Hills Elementary extends south of NE 125th Street and this marked crosswalk provides families living in the Victory Heights neighborhood a safer, more direct option for crossing NE 125th Street on foot.




Why is SDOT installing a pedestrian safety island at the marked crosswalk?
The island improves safety by providing two-stage crossing of NE 125th Street. This two-stage crossing gives people a place to stand and wait in the middle of the street where they are less exposed to moving traffic. Additionally, since the crossing may be used by families walking to Olympic Hills Elementary, SDOT is providing this additional safety feature to give families a safer way to cross the street.




Will this island restrict left turns at the intersection?
The pedestrian island has been designed to accommodate vehicles, including cars, SUVS, pickup trucks and delivery trucks, turning on and off NE 125th Street without hitting the island. Vehicles will have to slow down in order to access the turn pocket, which is a safety feature.




What are the benefits of this new pedestrian island?
Crossing the street can be a complex task for pedestrians. Pedestrians must estimate vehicle speeds, adjust their own walking speeds, determine adequacy of gaps in traffic, predict vehicle movements, and time their crossings appropriately. Drivers must see pedestrians, estimate vehicle and pedestrian speeds, determine the need for action, and react.



Raised medians and pedestrian refuge islands allow pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time. This significantly reduces the complexity of the crossing. Federal Highway Administration research shows pedestrian islands have a 46 percent reduction in pedestrian crashes. Similar research found a reduction of motor vehicle crashes by 15 percent. These islands also visually narrow the street, reducing the number of people exceeding the speed limit.




Medians are especially important at transit stops. Transit stops are frequently located along busy streets. Providing medians can make these crossings safer and more appealing to existing and potential transit users.




Will there be additional enhancements to the pedestrian island?
At this time no additional enhancements are planned. SDOT plans to evaluate the crosswalk again in 2014 to determine if additional safety enhancements are needed.




What if I have additional questions about pedestrian safety in Seattle?
Staff at The Seattle Department of Transportation would be happy to hear from you. You can contact us at walkandbike@seattle.gov





Friday, November 15, 2013

Pocket Park Work Party - Saturday, November 16th

When: Saturday, November 16th - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: NE 133rd between 27th and 28th Ave NE
What: A work party to clear bramble from a future neighborhood park!


 From Janine ( the undaunted leader )
Friends, we are ready to make further progress on our future park --at NE 133rd between 27th and 28th Avenues NE --from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, November 16.

Drop by when, and for as long as, you wish. We will have the benefit again of the SDOT Trail Full O' Tools.
We do not have funding for refreshments, so I'd suggest people bring their own lunch/snacks/water, and that those who feel like it bring some potluck munchies.

Invite your neighbors! Talk it up as you walk the neighborhood in the next couple of days.

Thank you for your enthusiasm to continue this work!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Pocket Park Request for Volunteers


Help create a new green space in Lake City

We are proposing a “pocket park” in Olympic Hills at the street end of NE 133rd, between 27th and 28th avenues. This work party is the beginning of a longer-term plan to restore and beautify the site.

Saturday, September 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Come for an hour or the whole day—drop in when you like.


This will be a fun and productive community event!

  • The City will provide tools, and experts will provide guidance
  • Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes
  • We will pull weeds and spread mulch on cleared areas
  • There will be goats onsite, working on the toughest blackberry patches
  •  Consider walking, biking, or taking the bus (Metro Route 65 stops nearby)
  • Refreshments will be provided

You need not register to participate, but if you do it will help us with planning: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OlympicHills
For more information, contact lakecitygreenways@gmail.com or call Janine at 206-498-6695
      Organized by Lake City Greenways, sponsored by Seattle Parks Foundation, funded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and with major assist from SDOT.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Annual neighborhood block party coming up on Tuesday, August 6th

The block party flyer crew at work.
Hopefully you received a flyer from your friendly Douglas Park Cooperative block party flyer crew on Thursday. If not, here is your digital version:

On Tuesday, August 6th, our neighborhood will have our annual neighborhood block party. It kicks off at 6 p.m. on 25th Avenue NE, between 127th and 130th.

We will have a fire pit, lots of toys for the kiddos, grills and some good ol' fashioned community fun.

Bring some food to grill or to share and meet your neighbors.

This will be our neighborhood's 5th annual block party and we plan to feature a music performance again this year. In previous years we have featured a bagpipe band and a performance by vocalist Ray Dalton and Camila Recchio. Dalton went on to fame with international star and Nathan Hale alum Macklemore.

We will see you there!



Friday, July 19, 2013

Learn how to cook amazing salmon, Volunteer for Pioneer Days

Its that time of year again when The smell of cooking salmon fills the air, vendors fill the streets, hot rods show their sparkling steel, and hundreds of people parade along Lake City Way. Yes, our much-loved Pioneer Days is just around the corner.

This year the our neighborhood event needs a little extra help from community members. Below you can find a list of volunteer opportunities. So if you have ever wanted to learn how the Lake City Lions Club makes that amazing salmon each year, this might just be your opportunity to learn from the masters.


Friday, July 12, 2013

Community Tea Time with Fire Department

Update: The event date is Friday, July 19th from 2pm to 3:15pm. Thank you to the reader who caught this and apologies for any inconvenience caused. If you intend to go, today ( July 17th ) is the last day to RSVP.

When: Wednesday, July 17th from 2pm to 3:15pm
Where: Lake City Fire Station 39 ( 2806 NE 127th Street )


- Tour the historic and recently renovated station.

- Learn about the Seattle Fire Department services.

- Meet with local firefighters.

- Learn about community programs such as the free smoke alarm program and community fire safety programs.




Seattle Police Picnic

When: Saturday, July 13th from 1pm to 4pm
Where: At the North Precinct across the street from North Seattle Community College ( 10049 College Way North )

All North Precinct residents are invited! Come enjoy food, music, and an opportunity to learn about and interact with many of SPD's specialty units like: K-9, Mounted Patrol, Bomb Squad, and SWAT.

They will be serving FREE hotdogs and ice cream!



Monday, July 1, 2013

Lifetime Learning Center - summer course registration

The Lifetime Learning Center in Lake City is offering 9 classes for the summer schedule. 

The cost is $50 for registration and you can attend as many classes as you like. You can register online here.

WHEN: Every Tuesday and Wednesday during the four weeks of July, beginning July 9, 2013.

WHERE: 3841 NE 123rd in the Education Wing on the lower floor. 

To learn more about the classes call 206-949-8882 or visit www.lifetimelearningseattle.org



Class Descriptions - Tuesdays

Presidential Trivia: Providential Contexts9:30-10:45
Les McKimTBD
In this class, we will exchange knowledge of topics related to our presidents and their spouses. Topics will come as they do in real life-randomly, not chronologically or by topic. Participants will serve as the main resource. Bring a 3 x 5 card to the first class with a sample question relative to any American president. Example: who saved a portrait of George Washington that was hanging in the White House? Each question will lead to a discussion of about five minutes. The discussion should be lively, challenging and fun.


Richard Hugo11:00-12:15
Bruce BigleyTBD
Who was Richard Hugo? Most of you have heard of Richard Hugo House, but you may not know much about this nationally known poet with deep roots in Seattle and Western Washington, as well as in Montana, where I taught with him at the University. We will read two or three poems in each class period, and discuss them, with a focus on the poems set in our area. Copies of poems will be provided, but if you want a book, either the Selected Poems or Making Certain It Goes On: The Collected Poems of Richard Hugo, both published by Norton, are widely available, both new and used.


Rosen Movement11:00-12:00
Cameron JustamTBD
Created by Marion Rosen to foster, support, and maintain flexibility during the aging years. This goal is aided by music, which provides fun and inspiration to move all the joints with ease in an hour. Come move with us-be more open to the day and to life!


Summer Mystery Tour1:00-2:00
David MartinTBD
You are invited to an exploration of the International Fine Art of Mystery Writing. Come exchange books, learn about new authors you haven't read. Talk about ideas and your favorite sleuths. Police, Private Detectives, Medical Examiners, Forensic Pathologists, Forensic Anthropologists-even detectives set in the Middle Ages.


Film: There's a Ford in Your Past: John Ford Paints History1:00-3:00
Jim MohundroTBD
The Iron Horse (1924), silent, George O'Brien and Madge Bellamy, 149 minutes. (Note: Because of the film's length, its showing may be divided between the first and second weeks, unless the entire class wishes to see the film in one showing). The Informer (1935), Victor McLaglen, Preston Foster, Una O'Connor, Joseph Sawyer, Heather Angel, Margot Grahame, Donald Meek, Wallace Ford, J.M. Kerrigan, Joseph Sauers (Joe Sawyer) and Donald Meek, 92 minutes. Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan, Eddie Collins, Pauline Moore, Richard Cromwell, Ward Bond, Donald Meek and Milburn Stone, 100 minutes. My Darling Clementine (1946), Henry Fonda, Victor Mature, Linda Darnell, Walter Brennan, Tim Holt, Ward Bond, Alan Mowbray, John Ireland, Jane Darwell and Grant Withers, 97 minutes.


Class Descriptions - Wednesdays


Shakespeare's The Tempest9:30-10:45
Bobbie SimoneTBD
Seattle Shakespeare Company's Wooden O Theater presents The Tempest in its summer season of free performances in the parks of Seattle and environs. In a time of European exploration and schemes of Utopias, Shakespeare set this play on an island in the "Bermudas," where several shipwrecked groups experience the original "sea change," finding love and forgiveness rather than rancor and revenge for wrongs endured. This is the last of Shakespeare's comedies and his farewell to the theater. We will read and discuss the play, see a film, and attend an outdoor performance. The Folger library edition will be available from the instructor at the first meeting.


The Poetry of Robert Frost11:00-12:15
Michael ShurgotTBD
This course will study a number of Robert Frost's better known poems, both for their literary value and their technical skill. The class will include poems from Frost's early and later books, including A Boy's Will, North of Boston, Mountain Interval, New Hampshire, A Witness Tree, West Running Brook, and A Further Range. A packet of poems will be provided for $2.50.


Tai Chi11:00-12:00
Ann RossTBD
Tai Chi is a slow moving meditation to improve health, balance and spirit. From the gentle practice of the postures, you will learn about your physical and spiritual center.


How Birds Work1:00-2:15
Connie SidlesTBD
People use tools and civilization to survive in the natural world. Birds have only themselves. Come along with master birder and author Connie Sidles as she takes you on a tour of bird's anatomy, showing how birds use their physical attributes to survive and thrive. With the help of bird skins from the Burke Museum, you'll learn about feathers, bills, feet, tails, eyes, ears, and other bird parts that allow birds to be perfectly adapted to their environment. After this series of hands-on classes, you'll never look at birds the same way again.