May 16

The Free Ride Zone

The Free Ride Zone teaches youth ages 8 to 18 how to fix bikes, then lets them swap hours of community bike repair in exchange for their own recycled wheels and a safety helmet. FRZ has been working for kids, bikes and community in the Rainier Valley since 1996. The three bicycle programs are Earn-a-Bike, Neighborhood Ride and Community Bicycle Shop. These programs invest in young people. Vocational education is part of the program for older students. FRZ gives adults a chance to teach, or just donate their repair skills to the cause. FRZ also teaches bicycle safety workshops at schools and community groups. Phone (206) 725-9408 or e-mail ridezone@scn.org.

Telephone Pioneers of America, Washington Chapter

Telephone Pioneers are active and retired employees of telephone companies who bring enthusiasm, know-how and people power to community and environmental undertakings of every size and type. They are strongly focused on education, including adopt-a-school programs. Pioneers across the US have been active in wiring schools and providing time and equipment so that youth can learn to use the Internet.

The Seattle Pioneers are still (always) in need of more volunteers to repair Talking Book tape players. They meet at the Vintage Telephone Equipment Museum on Tuesdays. If you have some spare time and are willing to learn how to use a very small screwdriver, please contact Talking Books via the museum telephone number at (206) 767-3012 or send e-mail to pioneer@scn.org.

Tudor Choir

The Tudor Choir presents a weekend of musical events in observance of the 500th anniversary of the execution of the controversial Italian preacher and reformer Girolamo Savonarola. Eminent singer, scholar and conductor Paul Hillier returns to Seattle to conduct The Tudor Choir in Italian Renaissance music and participate in a symposium on Savonarola. Saturday's concert, Meditations on Martyrdom and Mercy, centers around the monumental setting of Miserere Mei, Deus by Josquin des Prez. It includes Italian Renaissance motets by Josquin, Berchem, Willaert, Lasso, the Gabrielis and others. The concert is Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 PM at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E in Seattle.

Queen Anne Historical Society

QAHS will meet on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 PM at McClure Middle School. The evening's program will include a talk, "Looking at Old Photographs," by Seattle historian Paul Dorpat. Call Isabel Egglin at (206) 286-3605 or send e-mail to Isabel@scn.org.

Concert Spirituel

Concert Spirituel presents Beethoven Serenade, a concert of chamber music by Beethoven, Cambini, Neubauer and Devienne. Jeffrey Cohan plays the eight-keyed flute, Laurel Wells the violin and Stephen Creswell the viola in two performances, one in Tacoma and one in Seattle. The first performance is Friday, May 22 at 8:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Tacoma. The second is Saturday, May 23 at 8:00 PM at Blessed Sacrament Church in Seattle.

Jeffrey Cohan will perform 12 Telemann Fantasies on the baroque flute on Tuesday, June 2 at 8:00 PM at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina. For more information about Concert Spirituel and to be included on the mailing list, please send e-mail to bg773@scn.org or call (206) 525-2216.

Ravenna Bryant Community Association

The "Tomorrow's Roosevelt" open house and workshop is Wednesday, May 20. The open house starts at 4:00 PM and the workshop at 7:00 PM at Roosevelt Square. The Seattle Community Public Health and Safety Network YouthCare tour is Thursday, May 21. The tour itself is from 6:00 to 6:30 PM and the YouthCare meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at 2500 NE 54th St. For more information call (206) 282-1288.

RBCA's spring membership meeting is Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 PM at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center at 6535 Ravenna Ave NE. The proposed Arboretum Master Plan is one item on the evening's agenda. Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata will speak from 8:00 to 8:30 PM.

May 12

Puget Sound Welsh Association

On Wednesday, May 13th PSWA brings together three outstanding Welsh musicians, Elinor Bennet, Mari Morgan and Eluned Jones, to join the Cor Cymraeg Seattle choir for an evening of Welsh music at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in northeast Seattle. This year the choir has grown in strength and its repertoire has expanded with many new and previously unheard Welsh songs. Call (425) 745-5611 for concert information.

Home Buying Information

The Fannie Mae Foundation funds programs that promote home ownership, and works to educate people about the home buying process. This page mentions a number of programs that might help first time home buyers.

April 23

Sustainable Seattle

Sustainable Seattle is a citizen group working to improve our region's long-term health and vitality. It monitors progress and tracks sustainable practices in the Seattle area. The 1998 Indicators are hot off the press. Indicators of Sustainable Community 1998 tracks 40 different indicators of cultural, economic, environmental and social health. This 78-page report was compiled by over 250 volunteers, to help provide a healthier basis for planning.

Cancer Lifeline

CLL provides 24-hour emotional support for cancer patients, their families, coworkers and friends. It offers programs and classes for cancer patients and their families.

Meet Northwest microbrewers at the Cancer Lifeline Seattle Brewfest '98. Sample more than 35 handcrafted beers, with complementary fine food. It's Thursday, April 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Union Station, 401 South Jackson Street in Seattle. All proceeds benefit Cancer Lifeline. Reserved tickets are $35 per person, or $40 the day of the event. For more information, call (206) 654-4141 or e-mail Cancer Lifeline at cll@scn.org.

King County Seniors Online

Nursing home residents need help with activities, and personal care and grooming. Some of them might need help with cooking. Creativity and kindness are required. Please call or e-mail Karen, the Director of Nursing at the Magnolia Health Care Center at (206) 283-9322 or karenh@eskimo.com.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) works to place volunteers 55 and older in positions that meet critical community needs. Call Jennifer Keeler at (206) 273-9116 in Seattle, or Marc Avni at (425) 649-8283 in King County.

KCSOL is working with the Seattle Public Library's Lifetime Learning Dept. (Downtown Branch) to provide senior computer classes. Call (206) 386-4149 and talk to library coordinator Shelly Adatto to make a reservation, as the classes are generally full. KCSOL also provides Internet classes at the University District Senior Center on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 12 noon and 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Call (206) 524-0473 to reserve your place.

King County Democrats

The 48th District Democrats meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the American Income Life Building, 15440 Bel-Red Road (back entrance). The next district caucus is Saturday, April 25th at 9:00 AM at American Income Life. To be on the 48th District Democrats mailing list, call district chair Anna Rising at (425) 828-8969.

Americans Discuss Social Security

The Seattle Community Network Association is a co-sponsor of Americans Discuss Social Security, a project funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. ADSS will host a civic forum in Seattle on Social Security issues on Saturday, May 2 at Union Station in Seattle. Call 1 (888) 560-ADSS to register to participate in the forum.

April 4

Seattle Writers Association

SWA lets you meet fellow writers and professionals in the writing world. SWA's Writers Marketing Group meets monthly to support writers in marketing their stories, articles, and books. SWA's critique groups and Book Review Board offer feedback on writers' work before they send it to publishers. Many critique groups specialize in poetry, nonfiction, literary fiction or a genre such as romance or science fiction. Other groups mix genres, having formed based on member proximity. Some meet weekly, others less often. If you wish to start a critique group, to join one, or simply to know more about this, contact swa@scn.org or send a SASE to SWA for Critique Group Guidelines.

On Saturday, May 23, SWA's Writers In Performance event will feature readings of winning selections from SWA's annual writing contest. A dessert buffet and live music will accompany the evening's awards presentation. This year's WIP will be held at the Knatvold Room in the church at 6556 35th Ave. NE in Seattle. To purchase advance tickets, send $10 per ticket to SWA, PO Box 33265, Seattle, WA 98133.

Greater Seattle Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination or institution. The primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

The Seattle Intergroup office maintains a 24-hour phone service, and publishes schedules of all the AA meetings in the area. It stocks a complete line of AA literature, and acts as a contact between the local AA and the general public. The office is about midway between the Kingdome and Sears, at 1759 1st Ave. S (at Holgate St.) in Seattle. It's open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to noon.

March 31

Asian Pacific AIDS Council

APAC is a group of grassroots volunteers who provide culturally relevant, language-accessible services and education to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to assist those living with HIV/AIDS, primarily in Puget Sound's Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

APAC has produced AIDS information brochures in seven languages, multilingual HIV/AIDS education workshops, AIDS training for translators and at refugee forums, and HIV education workshops for immigrant women, students and agencies. For more information, send e-mail to apac@scn.org or call (206) 467-0884.

Veterans Information Service

The Veterans Information Service offers information of interest to military veterans in the Puget Sound area, with links to many local and national organizations.

March 23

Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

WCADP presents The Killing Jar, a work-in-progress written and performed by Todd Jefferson Moore, on Monday, March 23 at 7:00 PM at the Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave. in Seattle. Developed through actual interviews, The Killing Jar examines violence and the death penalty in America and brings to the stage the people and events of a real life tragedy. A discussion period will follow the performance so audience members may contribute their thoughts and opinions.

Seattle Habitat for Humanity

You can help Seattle's Women Building for Humanity volunteers build a residential home in Shoreline, the first Seattle Habitat for Humanity home completely designed and built by women. You need not have any building experience. For more information call (253) 804-2344.

Women Building for Humanity will be at the Northwest Women's Show at the Convention Center this weekend, March 27 through 29. You can support the project by stopping by Booth 542 and making a donation or purchasing a tee shirt.

East Timor Action Network / Seattle

ETAN believes that there should be no more IMF funding without human rights. The IMF has pledged $40 billion to bail out Indonesia's economy. In exchange, the dictator Suharto promised economic adjustments. Despite his regime's brutal 22-year occupation of East Timor and its severe repression of its own people, the IMF has never seriously considered human rights. Congress will vote on $18 billion of IMF funding within weeks. There will be no human rights conditions attached without significant pressure on Congress. To reach your members of Congress by phone or fax, call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Representative or Senator.

Daily arbitrary arrests, torture, disappearances, and state terrorism are carried out by the Indonesian military in East Timor and parts of Indonesia. The malnutrition pervasive in East Timor will worsen as a result of severe drought and the fallout from Indonesia's financial crisis. East Timor needs food aid to prevent a recurrence of famine not seen since a third of their population was killed and starved to death during the first decade of the Indonesian occupation.

Save Lake Sammamish

Sammamish Stewardship Saturday is March 28. Meet at the parking lot behind Issaquah Valley Elementary School at 9:00 AM and spend a few hours planting 1,000 trees and shrubs to improve the water quality of Lake Sammamish. Call Bob Spencer at (206) 296-1951. The Washington State Lake Protection Association will host a comprehensive conference on watershed management on Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4.

NW Zydeco Music and Dance Association

Anne Galjour tells Cajun stories in a one-woman show, Alligator Tales, at the Seattle Repertory Theatre through May 2. The band Chank-a-Chank plays at the Rep in a free Cajun festival on Sunday, April 19.

Practice Cajun dancing to recorded music on Monday evenings for the next few weeks, at two locations. It's free and open to all dancers. At the Mountaineers, 300 3rd Ave. W on April 6, 13 and 20 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. At the Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave. S, from 8:15 to 9:45 PM on April 6, 13, 20 and 27, and May 4 and 18. Call Rae at (206) 298-1090.

Call the recorded Zydeco/Cajun Hotline at (206) 382-5586 for this week's events.

March 10

Food Lifeline

Sample from 60 of the finest restaurants in Seattle at Taste of the Nation, as the local restaurant industry shares with our food banks. It's March 15th at the Seattle Sheraton. Tickets are $75 per person. Call Kristin at Food Lifeline at (206) 545-FOOD.

Food Lifeline's Seattle's Table program rescues the equivalent of 1,375 meals daily from restaurants, caterers, airline kitchens, cafeterias and other food service providers. Next time you dine out, hire a caterer or go to an event, ask if the food service provider donates excess food to Seattle's Table. If you are in the hospitality industry in King County and would like to know how to donate excess prepared and perishable food to help alleviate hunger, call (206) 545-FOOD or 1-800-404-7543, or e-mail Food Lifeline at hunger@scn.org.

Neighborhood Review

Some Common Sense About Public Transportation: Read what some neighborhood activists say about Seattle's massive new transportation plans.
Keeping Track of Building in Your Neighborhood: Seattle's weekly report of land use actions is now on the Web at PAN. The City's GIS maps are, or soon will be, available at neighborhood libraries.

Fremont Chamber of Commerce

City Council member Tina Podlodowski, head of the Public Safety committee, will speak on community policing and the future of the Seattle Police Department at the Fremont Chamber's March 18 noon lunch ($10). Come and voice your concerns. RSVP at 632-1500.

Concert Spirituel

Concert Spirituel's spring season continues with seven Bach flute sonatas and the Partita for solo flute, with Jeffrey Cohan playing the baroque flute and George Shangrow the harpsichord, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina at 7:30 PM on Monday, March 23.

Engineering and Science Resource Bureau

ESRB welcomes active or retired engineers as classroom volunteers. It will conduct this month's free training sessions for teachers and volunteers on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the Boeing Community Relations Building at 600 Andover Park West in Tukwila. ESRB's science and engineering projects can be adapted for all grades. They are designed to stimulate inquiry and critical thinking skills.

March 7

Seattle Council on Airport Affairs

King County officials are currently reviewing a Master Plan which will determine the direction of the Sea-Tac Airport for the next 20 years. SCAA members are concerned that this plan should adequately address residents' concerns about noise, pollution, health, airplane traffic pattern changes, the third runway and other planned airport construction and operations.

The North Beacon Hill Council will meet with FAA and Sea-Tac Noise Abatement Office representatives at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, March 10 at the Jefferson Community Center. The KCIA (Boeing Field) Ad Hoc Citizens Noise Advisory Committee will meet at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 9 at 7233 Perimeter Road at Boeing Field.

Public Internet Access Locations in King and Pierce Counties

Five of the Pierce County Library's branches now have Internet computers. So do the Tacoma Public Library's main and Moore branches. SCN Public Access now includes PCL's Tacoma, Buckley/Wilson and Eatonville dialup modem numbers for Internet access. Public Access Gateways includes information about using SCN through the PCL Internet gateway.

March 6

Ravenna Bryant Online

Ravenna Bryant Online provides a neighborhood news e-mail discussion list (rbn@scn.org), a community events calendar (for example, last weekend volunteers reintroduced native frogs to Ravenna Park and planted native plants in Magnuson Park), resources for kids, seniors and children of aging parents, and information about schools, traffic and other local concerns. Everyone in the neighborhood can participate, through public library terminals and free SCN e-mail.

Amnesty International USA / Seattle

Amnesty International is dedicated to the protection of human rights. It seeks the release of prisoners of conscience detained for their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic origin, language or religion who have not used or advocated violence. It works for fair and prompt trials for political prisoners. It opposes the death penalty, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners. It opposes extrajudicial execution and "disappearances," whether or not the persons affected have used or advocated violence.

Amnesty International is impartial. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the prisoners whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the protection of human rights, regardless of the ideology of the government or opposition group, or the beliefs of the victim.

Puget Sound Internet Providers

SCN's list of local Internet providers now includes about 185 companies.

March 5

Effective Activism on the Internet

Anitra Freeman's new guide contains lots of well-tested advice about using the Internet to promote your own social cause.

SeaZine

Seazine is SCN's new magazine.

Questions: webeditors@scn.org