As winter approaches, so come the grey, rain, and cold. Join Victory Heights, Pinehurst, Meadowbrook, and the North Precinct Advisory Council as we gather socks and partner with the Seattle Police Department to distribute them to people in need. New socks of all sizes will be appreciated.
Donated socks will be delivered to Mary’s Place, International Community Health Services North Seattle, and Seattle Police Department during community engagements.
The drive is November 1-16th.
Drop off locations:
Victory Heights: Victory Heights Pre-school, 1747 NE 106th Street
Pinehurst: Zylberschtein’s Deli, 11752 15th Avenue NE
North Precinct Advisory Council: 1102 NE 55th Street
The October (virtual) meeting of the Thornton Creek Alliance will look at Habitat Restoration: The Change Starts At Home. Scott and Susan Freeman will tell the story of how it actually began in 1936, when Susan’s grandfather Aldo Leopold bought a worn-out farm in central Wisconsin and began the first ecological restoration project ever attempted. Now the Freeman family is part of a large consortium that have been working for over 14 years to restore Tarboo Creek, on the Olympic Peninsula.
Ashley Allan of the King Conservation District will talk about the Urban Riparian Habitat Stewardship Program, including free site visits and technical assistance.
There will also be an update on their efforts to preserve the 8th Ave. NE greenway.
At the October meeting of the Victory Heights Community Council, we have teamed up with Pinehurst for a Halloween activity for your kids and pets: The Puppyhurst Doggo and Kids’ Parade.
Starting at at 11 AM on Sunday, October 31st at the Pinehurst Pocket Park, 11700 19th Ave NE, this kid (and pet) friendly event will then proceed east to 20th Avenue NE, head north to NE 123rd, then back down 22nd Avenue NE , west on NE 115th, and then back north on 20th to the Pocket Park. There will be a costume contest (for pets too), masks required, keep pets on leashes, and socially distance for safety.
Afterwards, Zylberschtein’s Deli at 11752 15th Avenue NE, will have a party between 1 PM and 3, with pumpkin carving, fresh cider, donuts, and beer specials.
As for trick-or-treating, a recent Victory Heights Facebook poll showed people were overwhelmingly in favor of it, 47 to 2, with the idea to “distribute with distance.”
In other Community Council news, we heard about the history of Sustainable North Seattle, made suggestions to District 5 Debora Juarez’s office for next year’s budget (good news: traffic calming is in this year), there will be an open house on Saturday, October 23rd at the Victory Heights Preschool (the building in the park) from 2 PM – 4 with treats, and the next Victory Heights contribution to the Teen Feed will be November 8th.
North End Makers is excited to announce the Grand Opening of their new makerspace in North Seattle on Saturday October 23rd and Sunday October 24th. It will be open to the public during both days with various events, tours, and tool demonstrations planned. North End Makers is an all-volunteer community of makers who run a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
The new makerspace is located in Pinehurst at 12317 15th Ave NE. They have many tools that are often not easily accessible to folks due to space or financial constraints. Their makerspace shares tools, knowledge, and resources with organization members, as well as offers classes and social events to the general public. These tools include a laser cutter, sewing/serger machines, CNC router, 3d printers, and much more. This equipment will ultimately be available for use by creators, artists, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs of all stripes. To learn more, visit their website at www northendmakers.org.
The first-ever Victory Heights’ Chili Cook Off held on Sunday afternoon was a big success with seven chefs (plus one late scratch due to water issues) and 60 attendees.
Residents began to trickle out of their houses after a Seahawks victory to a gray but dry day (after a rainy morning) to sample both vegan and meat chilis created by our neighborhood chefs. Tables were set up along 19th Avenue NE across from Victory Heights Park with extension cords keeping crock pots full of chili warm, plus tortilla chips and tiny corn bread treats.
Ballots were available to vote for your favorite and the winner was…
…Andrew’s Chili McChiliface. Having sampled six of the seven chilis I can attest they are all winners, and we greatly appreciate the effort all our cooks put in, and all the folks who came out to partake of this perfect autumn treat. Rematch in 2022!
On October 2nd at 4:51 AM, the first light rail train with passengers left the Northgate Link Light Rail station heading south to two new stations, downtown, the airport and to Angle Lake. At 10 AM, politicians, Sound Transit officials, and other stakeholders officially opened the John Lewis Memorial bike/pedestrian bridge connecting the station with North Seattle College.
Seattle Mayor Durkan speaks at the dedication of the new John Lewis Pedestrian BridgeDistrict 5 representative Debora JuarezState Representative Gerry PolletJohn Lewis Bridge Ribbon Cutting
At the new University District Station, Seattle Mayor Durkan was joined by King County Executive Dow Constantine, who also addressed crowds on Saturday.
King County Executive Dow ConstantineMayor Durkan addresses the crowd at the UW Station
In addition to the new Light Rail station, there are many changes to bus service around Victory Heights including the new route 20 and 320 that run along Northgate Way and continue to Lake City, and the 322 which runs along Lake City Way replacing the 312 and the stops the 522 made during the pandemic (it now only stops in Lake City and at the Growler Guys at 20th Avenue NE).
More photos…
A group called Seattle Subway displayed a VERY ambitious map showing proposed light rail lines throughout the city including service on Northgate Way. Note: Very few of these lines will actually happen.
Join us Sunday, October 3rd after the Seahawks/Mariner games for Victory Heights’ first ever Chili Contest! It will be held from 4 PM – 6 PM next to Victory Heights Park. Sample our meat and meatless chilis prepared by our chefs and be prepared to declare a victor in both categories. Bring your own bowl and please wear a mask.
After many, many years, at long last the extension of Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail reaches North Seattle as the Northgate Link Light Rail station begins service at 4:40 AM Saturday, October 2nd.
If getting up at that hour to be on the first train doesn’t make you excited, then at 10 AM on Saturday will be the official dedication of the pedestrian/bike John Lewis Memorial Bridge that crosses from the station across I-5 to North Seattle College.
Also beginning October 2nd will be a completely revamped bus system around Victory Heights aimed at getting riders to the new Light Rail Stations (either Northgate, Roosevelt, U District, or Husky Stadium) rather than direct service downtown. Read about all the revisions, new lines, and routes here.
From the SDOT Press Release:
What to expect We will be hosting a series of speakers at the west end of the bridge starting at 10 AM, followed by a ribbon cutting and community-led walk, roll, and bike ride towards Sound Transit’s new Link light rail station. With Link light rail service also beginning at the Northgate Station on October 2, we encourage you to try out the new transit options.
We hope you’ll join us to recognize all those who have made this project possible!
Details
Saturday, October 2 10 AM to noon On the west side of the John Lewis Memorial Bridge, in the North Lot of North Seattle College (click here for directions)
HOW TO STAY SAFE & ENJOY THE EVENT – COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS We are following public health requirements for COVID-19, including having all City staff wearing masks at the event. According to the Governor’s current mandate, guests must wear masks at all outdoor events regardless of vaccination status. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing throughout the event to keep everyone safe, healthy, and comfortable. Thank you.
Getting there
Walking, biking, or using public transportation is strongly recommended. Sound Transit’s Link light rail begins operating on October 2. You can learn more about Sound Transit’s newest stations by visiting northgatelink.com. Metro routes also serve this location, and you can plan your trip by visiting tripplanner.kingcounty.gov. Parking will be available in the North Lot at North Seattle College.We hope to see you there!
At the September meeting of the Victory Heights Community Council, we heard from Shannon Roberts and Josh Epstein, of the NE Tool Library, located at 10228 Fischer Place NE, just east of Lake City Way in lower Victory Heights.
Josh told us a brief history of the tool library, which had been located near Dahl Playfield in Wedgwood, but moved to the site of the former Lavilla Dairy on Fischer Place in November 2018. As an all-volunteer organization, hours are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and all day Saturday. You can peruse their vast catalog of stuff online at https://neseattletoollibrary.org/ . You just need to join (donations are voluntary), and like a regular library, you can “check out” their items. They also host events like Fixers Night, Tool Sharpening, an annual Tool Sale, and Cider Press. There is also a bike shack for doing repairs, a seed library, and catering supplies. “Come visit, we’d love to show you around the space,” said Josh.
In other Victory Heights news, we have started 30 new online interest groups including board games, wine and cheese, golf, and a book club. It’s all done over email, to get a list of all the groups, write: victoryheights.seattle@gmail.com.
The Chili Cookoff is coming this Sunday, October 3rd from 4-6 PM (you don’t even need to miss the Seahawks game). It will be near Victory Heights Park and feature our volunteer chefs who will be competing in two categories: meat and meatless. We’ll have electricity to keep things warm, and possibly some spoons and bowls, but maybe bring your own just in case, and be prepared to help us crown a winner (there will be trophies).
Our next (virtual) meeting will be Tuesday, October 19th at 7 PM. And be sure to join our Facebook group to keep up date on all activities.
The weather is turning; it’s time for CHILI! Put your culinary skills to the test in Victory Heights’ first ever “Chili Cook Off“. Start perfecting those recipes; this event is two weeks away!
Details:
– Sunday, Oct 3rd – 4pm to 6pm – Contestants will set up near the Victory Heights park. We will find cooks a spot in the right-of-way. (Electricity will be provided to keep your culinary masterpieces hot and tasty!) – A winner will be selected from each of the two categories (with meat and meatless) – DEADLINE to sign up is FRIDAY, SEP 24th! More details here… https://signup.com/go/oXUOLHg – The public will vote for the winner in each category. Prizes awarded!
