VRCC
POB 15218
Seattle, WA 98115-0218
The
View Ridger
Vol. 55, No. 1
For the Community and by the Community
February, 1999
SAFETY AND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
The Advertising Plan introduced in the "Neighborhood Pride" article in the October 1998 View Ridger has been formally titled the "Safety and Beautification Project." This article referred to a presentation to the View Ridge Community Club Trustees by Wendy Condiotty for an educational project focussed on the cleanup of greenery in our neighborhood sidewalks and public spaces.
Recently Neale Weaver, Wendy and Carol Veatch met to develop a proposal to the Seattle Small and Simple Grant program which involves grants for projects costing under $10,000. They are preparing our application to the Department of Neighborhoods for matching funds which has to be filed by March 15. If approved, the bulk of the money will be spent for signage to be put in busses, businesses, and other appropriate places. The samples of signs that Wendy presented to the Trustees last fall are colorful, tactful, and humorous. It is not our goal to make View Ridge a PUD.
Our campaign's vision is to heighten awareness and encourage property owners to be sensitive to the expectations of their neighbors and community. This effort is mostly a safety project so that residents and guests can walk on our sidewalks without falling or being tripped by greenery, and auto traffic can see around street corners without risk of missing cross traffic. We will also provide assistance to residents who are infirm, disabled, or without the necessary resources to take care of their property adequately.
So far, the View Ridge Pharmacy, View Ridge Puget Consumers Co-op, and the Northeast Branch of the Library have committed to displaying our posters. We shall be looking for volunteers to fill these needs as well as volunteers to assist with the placement of signs. If you would like to help in some way, or have any comments, please contact Wendy at 522-2382 or Carol at 523-8673.
TRANS-LAKE WASHINGTON STUDY
Anyone who reads the newspaper or watches the news on television is aware of the growing traffic problem in the Seattle metropolitan area. One survey recently named Seattle as having the tenth worst traffic congestion in the United States. One only needs to drive through the Montlake area at 4 PM on a weekday or to cross the SR 520 bridge during rush hour(s) to experience the problem firsthand.
Two years ago, in an effort to attack the problem of traffic across and/or around Lake Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) authorized a study committee to identify, discuss and evaluate possible solutions to the problem. WSDOT established a study committee "composed of 47 representatives of public agencies, neighborhoods, businesses and advocacy interests." As of mid-January, 1999, the study committee has held several meetings and has gathered a great deal or information on the needs and concerns of the individual committee members and other interested parties.
It is a difficult study. Everyone wants less traffic congestion, but no one wants noise, traffic, fumes, restrictions on personal travel, or construction in one's own neighborhood.
Items discussed by the committee include light rail, a new bridge across Lake Washington, widening the SR 520 bridge, walk-on ferries crossing the lake, bicycle and pedestrian lanes, restricting access during peak traffic periods, and increased bus ridership.
The study committee expects to deliver its final report to WSDOT by June of this year. Anyone wishing to learn more about this project may call (206) 464-5878 to be put on the mailing list. The WSDOT web site is at http://www. wsdot.wa.gov.
SAND POINT BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE
The Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) was appointed by Mayor Paul Schell and City Councilman Nick Licata. The Committee was formed in response to calls for a re-examination of the Sand Point project; a fresh and comprehensive look at the current situation and to recommended the future direction of Sand Point/Magnuson Park.
The Committee, chaired by former Mayor Charles Royer, was charged by Mayor Schell to "undertake a comprehensive review of the Sand Point/Magnuson Park plan and formulate recommendations to guide its future as an integrated, successful, community resource." The Committee's report is in draft form and will be finalized and released in early February. Concurrently with the report, the BRC is selecting a design team from seven design team proposals.
As the report is too long to summarize in this article, we recommend obtaining a copy of The Sand Pointer, Winter 1998/1999 Issue 3, Volume 3. It contains excerpts of the BRC Draft Report. A copy of the final report may be obtained by contacting the Office of Sand Point Operations at (206) 684-4946. You may also ask them to add your name to their mailing list.
VRCC TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE
The View Ridge Community Club subscribed to an answering service through U.S. West Communications over the past year. In that time we have had so few calls relating to V R C C, your Trustees have agreed to discontinue the service. For instance of the past twelve calls only two have been bonefide calls to the View Ridge Trustees. Several calls were intended for the View Ridge Swim and Tennis Club. This experience has been typical of the calls all year.
The upshot of all this is that we determined that the $450 annual expenditure was unproductive. We are asking View Ridge residents to call their trustee, or one of the officers, all of whose addresses and telephone numbers are listed on the back of your View Ridger if they have a question or need to contact the View Ridge club. If you have an article you want to put on our web page, you can e-mail it to Carol at veatch2@earthlink.net, or drop off a copy at her home and she will get it on the web for you. You may also submit anonymous articles.
TREASURERS REPORT
December 31, 1998
Beginning Balance 1/1/98 - $1,728.07
Income
Membership Dues - $5,056.50
King County Grant - 500.00
Interest - 43.38
Total Income - $5,599.88
Expenses
Newsletter (3 issues) - $2,577.73
Candidates Night Flyer - 573.61
Meeting Room Rental - 240.00
Post Office Box - 104.00
Secretarial Supplies - 100.84
Annual Report Filing Fee - 10.00
Total Expenses - $4,056.60
Ending Balance 12/31/98 - $3,271.35
1999 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
As you can see from the Treasurers Report, the Club finished the year in a much better position than it started. A lot of that income is due to a very fine response to our dues appeal last January. If you will recall, we were just about to the point where we would only be able to publish one or two View Ridgers with the funds we had available. Thanks to our supporters, we made it through the year and have a slight surplus to start this year. However, we can not rest on our laurels as the Club has some exciting plans for 1999 and beyond which will call for the use of some of these funds and additional funds. (Please see article headed Safety and Beautification Project).
With these new projects and our continuing View Ridger expenses in mind we are kicking off our 1999 Membership Drive. The "dues" for membership in the Community Club are $5.00 per household, per year. Last year we averaged better than $10. per household with almost 500 of our estimated 1700 households contributing. This year we would like to see the number of households increase as we do provide a listening post and a voice for community concerns for all of View Ridge.
Enclosed is an envelope for your convenience in remitting your "dues" check. Please do not send cash, as it could get lost in the mails. Remember that your contribution supports your community's programs and events.
ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the View Ridge Community Club has been set for Wednesday May 19, at 7:30 PM in Perry Hall at Sand Point Community Church. Although the agenda is not complete, we have arranged for a speaker from the Department Of Construction and Land Use (DCLU) to present a program designed around the theme of neighborhood safety and beautification (Please see related article). Topics such as the Weeds and Vegetation Ordinance, the Noise Ordinance and the Housing, Building and Maintenance Code will be discussed.
Please make plans to attend this meeting and remind your neighbors about it. Further information will be made available at a later date.
CANCER RELAY RALLY
The American Cancer Society has developed a program that many of us may not be aware of. They have been holding an annual event across the country to concentrate a 24-hour program of fun and fund raising. The event involves teams of friends, relatives, and neighbors to play and walk continuously for 24 hours for cancer research and medical programs.
They are planning a kickoff on January 27, at the first level of the Space Needle, which Carol Veatch will attend. More information regarding this program will be available after that meeting. In the meantime, however you could be making up lists of people to participate on teams to make this effort a success for NE Seattle.
In the past the event has been held in Memorial Stadium. This year it will be held at Roosevelt High School with the expectation that NE Seattle will hold our own event in coming years. This year's event will be held sometime in July. A specific date will be announced in the next View Ridger.
VIEW RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
View Ridge Elementary staff and students mourned the loss of our beloved John Stanford this month. We met in small groups to show our love and appreciation for the superintendent who touched each of our lives. He will be missed.
The schools newly introduced Spectrum (or Challenge) program has been very successful, our library continues to grow, and the reading and tutoring programs are soaring. In October, students were enriched by the visit of George David, Native American artist, who carved a mask for our school and taught the intermediate grades how to make button blankets and drums for the culminating Potlatch ceremony. In December, students delighted in the song and dance of the 5th Avenue Musical Revue and have recently enjoyed learning more about Bach and the Baroque period during a Pipeworks presentation.
The coming Spring will bring more exciting activities at View Ridge Elementary as well as several important testing periods for students. We look forward to a visit by children's author/illustrator, Nina Laden, in March. Plans are in the works for our annual Walkathon and Field Day in May/June.
The big event of the year, the school/community PANCAKE BREAKFAST is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 from 8-11 a.m. DON'T MISS IT!
If you have an incoming kindergartner or are interested in finding out more about View Ridge Elementary, please join us in the lunchroom for an ORIENTATION on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. through the month of February. An informative presentation about our school, a question and answer period and tours will be provided. Call the school office at 729-3270 for more details. (NOTE: New student registration at the school district PIC centers for Fall '99 runs through February 26).
WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND TOWN
Sand Point/ Magnuson Park
--
Feb. 20
Winter Grand Prix Road Race - Magnuson Park
Orienteering Meeting - Magnuson Park
March 26-28
Friends of Library Book Sale - Hangar 30
April 24-25
Arboretum Plant Sale - Hangar 30
June 26
Swimming Beach Opens - Magnuson Park
June 27
Seattle Peace Concert Magnuson Park
For further information call the Office of Sand Point Operations,
(206) 386-9873
The Rest of Seattle
--
Feb. 6
Discovery Park Docent Training Call 386-4236 if interested
Feb. 13
Neighborhood Appreciation Day Various locations will have events:
Laurelhurst-Community Center , Call 525-9850
Wallingford neighborhood , Call 632-4557
Feb. 23 & 25
Parks Public Involvement Policy
23rd 7:00-9:00 PM Nathan Hale High
25th 76:00-9:00PM Franklin High
Call 684-0464 for further Information.
Feb.27, Mar. 6 &13
Tree Stewards Training Class 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Where, will be
announced, call 684-5008 to register.
SEATTLE PARKS ORDINANCE ARBORETUM PARK PRESERVATION
The Seattle City Council is taking another look at the ordinance they passed last year concerning acceptable behavior and authorizing police officers to enforce acceptable behavior in our public parks. Last year they passed an ordinance to deny access to persons who were uncivil, those persons exhibiting such behavior as drinking, eliminating body materials, and harassing other park users. The homeless coalition has cried "foul", so the Council is reconsidering the authority of police officers to ban those persons from using park property for periods of time--depending upon the offense. The coalition contends that the current ordinance unfairly focuses on the homeless. If you are interested in making your opinion known to the Council, Nick Licata is the person to whom you should address your comments. His e-mail address is http://www.nick.licata@ci.seattle.wa.us and his Council office telephone number is 684-8803.
At the last Trustee meeting, two members of the Arboretum Park Preservation coalition presented a very informative program on what is happening to the Arboretum, between the City, the University of Washington and official Arboretum Administration. We can only sum up by saying that the Forestry Department of UW has usurped more than the original stipulations of the donors of this property without proper hearings or negotiations.
The Arboretum Park Preservation Coalition has a web site,.www.scn.org/arberetum. Check it out, pass the address on to your friends, and let us know what you think.
Two more parks are having problems with unauthorized activities. For instance, Olmstead Park in the Roosevelt neighborhood is experiencing encroachment by Sound Transit. Cowen Park in the Ravenna neighborhood is experiencing vandalism beyond anything previously experienced.
If you have any news about these and other City parks, send that information to Nick Licata with your comments, and send our President, Carol Veatch a copy. We can share them with other View Ridgers if you like.