1. Spring Clean: Spring Clean is Seattle’s premier clean-up event. Held each year in April and May through an SPU partnership with Parks and Recreation, Department of Neighborhoods, and Department of Transportation, Spring Clean provides opportunities for residents to keep our city tidy. For more information, please contact the Spring Clean hotline at 206-233-7187 or go to www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/GetInvolved/SpringClean/index.htm.
2. Seattle City Council Town Hall on Climate Action: Tuesday, May 7, 6-8 p.m., University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 2nd Floor. This Town Hall meeting will be framed in the context of the Seattle City Council’s work on the Climate Action Plan. The meeting will begin with a small panel of environmentally-focused people, including a representative from the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE), explaining the contents of the draft Climate Action Plan. Other experts and advocates will help frame why it’s important that the City of Seattle act and explain what the community can do. This will be roughly the first 40 minutes of the meeting followed by open public comment. Speakers will not be constrained to addressing climate issues. While the meeting is set in the context of the new Climate Action Plan, members of the public will be able to address Council on any topic they wish. For more information, contact Dan Nolte at dan.nolte@seattle.gov or 206-233-3981.
3. Parks Department Strategic Planning Meetings: Parks has embarked on a planning process to develop a strategic direction for the future by addressing these questions:
· Are our resources deployed in the most effective manner?
· What is the public view of our park system?
· What are the basic services Parks provides?
A first draft of the plan is available for public review. Parks and Recreation will hold six public meetings during the month of May. Both the first draft of the Plan and details about the public meetings are available at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/legacy/. Parks encourages and welcomes comments from the public at the public meetings and at parkslegacy@seattle.gov.
The public meeting schedule for meetings in the north/northeast area is:
· Tuesday, May 7, 7-8:30 p.m., general meeting, Seattle Parks and Recreation Administration Building, 100 Dexter Avenue N
· Wednesday, May 8, 7-8:30 p.m., sports, recreation and aquatics, Green Lake Community Center, 7201 East Greenlake Drive N
· Monday, May 13, 5:30-7 p.m., seniors, teens, including LGBT, community centers and associated recreation council (ARC), Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Avenue NE
People who cannot make it to a meeting and who want to comment on the draft plan can send an email to parkslegacy@seattle.gov. The draft plan is available online at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/legacy/.
4. Magnuson Park Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting: Wednesday, May 8, 6-7:30 p.m. For meeting location and information about the agenda, contact Susan Wall at susan.wall@seattle.gov.
5. Citizens for Off-Leash Areas Membership Meeting: Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Park Board Room, 100 Dexter Avenue North. Seattle Parks and Recreation will join Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) at this general membership. Topics will include events, fundraisers, marketing, education, volunteers, partnerships, newsletters, and more. The public is invited to come and learn about the benefits of COLA membership and to join. Member dues help improve existing off-leash areas and communicate with supporters. Donations support the newsletter, postage, printing, phone line and educational brochures and materials. Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was formed to obtain and maintain off-leash dog exercise areas in Seattle. For more information on COLA, go to www.coladog.org.
6. Applications due for People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE): Wednesday, May 8. PACE is a civic leadership development program dedicated to building the skills of community members in a multicultural participatory learning environment. Participants learn hands-on strategies in community organizing, community-building, neighborhood planning, leadership, and outreach specifically to underrepresented communities. It focuses on the city of Seattle’s governmental structure and processes and the role of its neighborhoods. The class is designed for 25-30 emerging leaders who are newly engaged in the community and want to acquire additional skills to be more effective in civic leadership. For more information or to apply online, go to http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/poe/pace.htm or contact Wendy Watson at 206-684-0719 or wendy.watson@seattle.gov.
7. Sound Transit Drop In Meeting: Friday, May 10, 10-11 a.m., Cedars Restaurant, 1319 NE 43rd Street. Get your questions answered regarding the U District light rail construction project. For more information, contact Wilbert Santos at 206-398-5300 or northlink@soundtransit.org or go to www.soundtransit.org/udistrictstation. Sign up for construction and project updates at www.soundtransit.org/subscribe.
8. Discover how mushrooms are saving the world! From new, eco-friendly packaging, to oil spill clean-up, come see the power of fungi at the Burke Museum’s mushroom programs in May.
· Solutions from Underground: How Mushrooms Can Heal the Planet with Paul Stamets: Friday, May 10, 7 p.m., Kane Hall 120, UW Campus. Free. Pre-registration is full! Additional seating available on a first-come, first-served basis, sign up begins at 6:15 pm at Kane Hall. Paul Stamets is a groundbreaking Mycologist whose research demonstrates how fungi can help with oil clean-up, habitat restoration, insect control, and the treatment of smallpox. In this talk, he discusses how our close evolutionary relationship to fungi can be the basis for better health for ourselves, and a sustainable future for our planet.
· Mushroom Maynia: Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Burke Museum. Fungi play an important role in the ecological life of the Pacific Northwest. Mycology-the study of fungi-is intimately connected to the studies of forestry, botany, ecology, medicine, and the culinary arts. Come explore these marvelous mushrooms and leave with recipes, mushroom adventure plans, and a new appreciation for these funky fungi.
· Attend talks on the power of mushrooms from local mycologists
· Try a tasty mushroom treat
· Bring mushrooms for identification
· Take part in fun fungi crafts for all ages
· Learn how to cultivate your own edible mushrooms
For more information about the above events, contact Alaina Smith, Director of External Affairs, or Andrea Godinez, PR & Marketing Coordinator, at burkepr@uw.edu or 206-543-9762 or 206-616-7538.
9. Applicants sought for Seattle Youth Commission: Application deadline May 10. Mayor Mike McGinn and the Seattle City Council are looking for applicants aged 13-19 interested in helping to represent the voices of the city’s youth to elected officials. The Youth Commission provides young people with the opportunity to participate meaningfully in local government and ensure that their interests are represented, and it also provides the City’s elected officials with the opportunity to work with and receive input from teenagers throughout the year. Serving on the Youth Commission represents a one-year commitment, from June of 2013 to June of 2014. If you are a Seattle resident between the ages of 13 and 19 and you are interested in applying to or want more information about the Seattle Youth Commission, please contact Sol Villarreal in the Mayor’s Office at 206-427-3062 or sol.villarreal@seattle.gov. To be considered, go to http://seattle.gov/syc and submit your application by May 10, 2011.
10. U-District Clean Up: Saturday, May 11, 9-9:30 a.m. breakfast and check-in, 9:30-noon clean up, 12-1:30 p.m. lunch and trash contest. Meet in the northwest parking lot of University Heights, NE 52nd and Brooklyn Avenue NE. Free food, free t-shirt, win prizes and help clean up the neighborhood. To sign up, go to https://sites.google.com/site/udistrictcleanup/. Questions? Email udistrictcleanup@gmail.com.
11. UWBG Student Poster Exhibit: Public reception, Friday, May 17, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., 3501 NE 41st Street. UWBG student posters will be on exhibit in the Miller Library. Topics include environmental horticulture, conservation biology, restoration ecology and much more. For more information, call 206-543-0415.
12. “Get RainWise with your Neighbors” Workshop: Saturday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), Center for Spiritual Living, 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Your neighbors are getting reimbursements from Seattle Public Utilities for installing beautiful and functional landscape features in their yards! You can too. Learn the steps to installing a RainWise rain garden or cistern, hear why homeowners in Ballard and Northeast Seattle decided to go RainWise, and have a chance to talk to the contractors that install rain gardens! For more information, contact Greenblocks@sustainableseattle.org or Hannah Kett at hannahk@sustainableseattle.org. Brought to you in by Seattle Public Utilities, Sustainable Seattle, and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways.
13. Sound Transit Update: May 13 and on. Demolition of the residential building and grading of the site. The work hours are generally Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but construction schedules are subject to change. Notifications will be sent out for significant changes. For more information about the U District Station, contact Wilbert Santos at 206-398-5300 or northlink@soundtransit.org or go to www.soundtransit.org/udistrictstation. Report construction issues (after business hours) at the 24-Hour Construction Hotline at 888-298-2395.
14. RadioActive Summer Workshop: Applications dueon Monday, May 13. Do you know young people aged 16-18 who want to tell stories and experience what it means to be a radio journalist? In this fun, rigorous and hands-on workshop, youth ages 16-18 learn about journalism, audio recording, audio editing, interviewing, writing for broadcast, and speaking on the air. During the program, the eight participants will collaboratively create a daily podcast for kuow.org, featuring their original reported stories. For completing the program, students will receive a $750 stipend! RadioActive participants have the chance to amplify their voices by telling true stories about their communities, and the topics that are important to them.
RadioActive’s 2013 Summer Workshop starts on Monday, July 8, 2013 and ends on Friday, August 16, 2013. Workshop meetings are held at KUOW’s studios at 4518 University Way NE. From July 8-25, the group meets every Monday through Thursday from 12-4 p.m. From July 25-August 16, participants will attend a daily meeting at noon, and work on independent projects for approximately 24 hours per week, primarily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
You can find more information and applications at kuow.org/radioactive. Admission to this workshop is selective – youth apply by pitching a story and go through an interview process before being accepted. For more information, contact Lila Kitaeff at lila@kuow.org or 206-543-6414.
15. CUCAC Meeting: Tuesday, May 14, Paccar Hall, 4277 NE Stevens Way, UW Central Campus, first floor conference room #456. The agenda includes a tour of Paccar Hall, Sound Transit plaza presentations, UPass and transportation management briefings and other updates. For more information, contact Steve Sheppard at 206-684-0302 or steve.sheppard@seattle.gov.
16. Seattle Parks’ Youth Summer 2013 Employment And Training Programs Call for Applications:
· Student Teen Employment Preparation (STEP): Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Student Teen Employment Preparation (STEP) Program is a job readiness program designed to provide youth with education, job skills and career development training. Applications are available for summer 2013 placements. Work focuses on addressing community needs; team projects may include forest enhancement, trail construction, habitat restoration, organizing community building events and mixed media projects.
Program dates areJuly 8 – August 1; work locations are in various parks and facilities throughout Seattle. Participants who complete the program receive a stipend of $599. STEP is open to teens ages 14 – 19; each applicant must be able to provide documentation of his or her eligibility to work in the United States. Applications are available online at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/teens/pdf/STEP_application.pdf, or applicants can call 206-684-4575 or email teen.programs@seattle.gov. Applications are due by May 15, 2013!
· Summer of Service (SOS): Summer of Service (SOS) is a program for youth entering the 7th, 8th and 9th grades NEXT school year. It helps youth identify needs in their community and make a difference while gaining leadership and work skills. Upon completion of the program, youth will receive a $150 stipend. To apply, download the application at www.seattle.gov/parks/teens/pdf/SOS_application.pdf, call 206-684-4575, or email teenprograms@seattle.gov. Applications are due by May 15, 2013.
· Youth Engaged in Service (YES): The YES Program is a great way to gain job skills and work experience, become more involved in your community, stay active throughout the summer, learn more about the Seattle Parks and Recreation, and make new friends! Participants will volunteer for six weeks from early July to mid-August for a total of 120 hours in a Seattle Parks and Recreation program or facility or a community based organization. Sixty hours of the required 120 can be used to meet the Seattle public high school service learning graduation requirement with proper pre-approval from the school. As recognition for their efforts, YES volunteers can receive a $150 stipend for the remaining 60 hours at the conclusion of the program.
YES is open to teens ages 13 to 18; each applicant must be able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States, and that he or she lives in Seattle. Applications are available online at: www.seattle.gov/parks/teens/programs/teenjobs.htm. Applications are due by May 15, 2013.
· Youth Engaged in Service Mentors: YES mentors supervise, educate and support YES volunteers in a professional work environment. They provide an average of 20 hours per week serve as adult role models who behave responsibly; care for, value, encourage and motivate youth; provide a sense of safety at the work site; and track attendance, schedules, daily projects and duties, and complete pre- and post-evaluations of YES volunteers. To apply to be a YES mentor, or more information about the YES program, please call Anuja Khandekar at 206-684-4575 or email her at anjua.khandekar@seattle.gov.
· Lifeguard Training Team: The Lifeguard Training Team is a free program designed to train and certify Seattle’s youth in lifesaving skills. The eight week program for youth ages 15-17 years old is designed to train participants to be lifeguards and build other job skills. Seattle Parks and Recreation provides training, books, uniforms, and basic materials at no charge. Participants get the opportunity to test for certification at the end of the program. To apply, please go to http://www.seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/LTTForm.htm, call 206-684-4079, or email parksaquatics@seattle.gov. Applications are due by June 9, 2013.
17. Spring and Summer Parks and Recreation Brochure is now available: Check out what programs and activities at community centers and pools are available for you and the kids this spring and summer at www.seattle.gov/parks/centers/northeast/spring_summer_13.pdf. Registration for spring quarter classes in underway. Registration for summer camps started April 4. And registration for summer quarter classes starts May 21.
18. Seattle Town Hall with Councilmember Rod Dembowski and Attorney General Bob Ferguson: Thursday, May 23, 7-8:30 p.m., Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Avenue NE. For more information, contact Councilmember Dembowski at rod.dembowski@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-1001.
19. Congratulations Northeast Seattle NMF Recipients! The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Awarded $606,000 in NMF grants. In northeast Seattle the following projects received funding:
· The Laurelhurst Elementary Peace Garden renovation project was awarded $12,510 in the recent round of the Neighborhood Matching Fund. This project will rejuvenate the existing Laurelhurst Elementary Peace Garden located on the south playground. It will improve the functionality of the green space for the school, Laurelhurst neighborhood, and the larger community.
· Sustainable Northeast Seattle was awarded $22,000 for its NE Seattle Tool Library. The library provides community access to a wide variety of tools, training, and advice. Funds will be used for stocking and the purchase of tools to increase the services available to the community.
· The Clean and Safe Workgroup of UDistrict Livability Partnership was awarded $23,450 for its Youth Jobs Program. This program will promote workplace integration for homeless street youth by providing them simple job tasks in exchange for compensation. It will be implemented and overseen by University of Washington interns and directed by local service providers.
· The Sanctuary Art Center was awarded $13,360 for its North Ave Mural project. In partnership with Urban Artworks, U-District Livability Partnership and local business owners, the project will create a community-vetted mural on J’s Market on the SW corner of University Way and 50th Street NE. It will serve to beautify and activate an area that is one of U-District’s crime hotspots.
· The View Ridge Elementary PTA was awarded $25,000 for its playground project. This project will improve the play areas on the west side of View Ridge Elementary School. A conceptual plan has been completed. These funds are for Phase 1 construction to occur this summer.
20. Music is My Life: May 30-August, Molly’s Café at the Henry Art Gallery, UW. The Friends of Homeless Young People is currently working on a project called “Music is my life” — a show of art work by homeless young people. The participants ranged in age from 15-25, with a total of 129 homeless young people contributing. In the spring of 2012, they created drawings and stories about musical devices. For more information, contact Jill Palzkill Woelfer at woelfj@uw.edu.
21. Coffee with the Sally’s: Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Café Racer, 5828 Roosevelt Way NE. Plan on joining Seattle City Council President Sally J. Clark and Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. This is a great opportunity to talk with City Councilmembers about what’s happening in your community! For more information, please contact Jesse Gilliam at jesse.gilliam@seattle.gov
22. Northeast Seattle Candidates Forum: Tuesday, June 11, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Seattle Musical Theatre, 7120 62nd Avenue NE (located in the Community Center Building at Magnuson Park). For more information, or to learn how you can get involved please contact Nancy Bolin at nancybolin@windermere.com or 206-276-7515
23. Park Board Meeting: Thursday, June 13, 6:30-9 p.m., Park Board Room, 100 Dexter Avenue North. The agenda and briefing papers on agenda topics are generally available on the Park Board web page at www.seattle.gov/parks/parkboard the Friday before the meeting. For more information, contact Sandy Brooks at 206-684-5066 or sandy.brooks@seattle.gov or go to www.seattle.gov/parks/parkboard/default.asp.