Gingerbread House Kits

Posted on November 27, 2021 by Ryan

This year again we are doing the Gingerbread House project, lovingly made by community members in Victory Heights!

Your kit comes with four walls and a peaked roof, an assortment of candies, and icing for decoration.  The house is decorated while flat and then special “construction” icing (also included) is used to raise the house.  (It dries fast from the meringue powder in with the powdered sugar.)  If you’re new to gingerbread house construction, a link to a how-to video is included in the kit.  Everything is edible (flour, cinnamon, salt, margarine, brown sugar, and corn syrup) but we won’t tell your kids.  Both types of icing – decorating and constructing – contain meringue powder (powdered egg white) so avoid if allergic.  

There is no “cost” for each kit but a $10 donation is recommended.  Order here.

Each year we provide kits free-of-charge to the Ryther Children’s Center and this year is no different.  They have asked for 20 houses for their clients – and we are honored to support them – but we need the community to help us recoup our costs.

* Pick up your gingerbread kit(s) at WinterFest!  

   Sunday, Dec 12th

   4pm – 6pm

   Victory Heights Park

Seasonal music – Luminary walk – Free popcorn – Hot cider!

A food truck will be available that evening if you want to take dinner home with you.

A good time will be had by all!

Questions?  Please contact Ann Forrest at aaforrest@hotmail.com – or call (360) 550-2234.

– Reach out if you can’t pick up your kit at WinterFest (Sunday, Dec 12th) and we’ll make different arrangements.

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Winterfest Is Coming December 12th

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Ryan

Join us on Sunday, December 12th for Victory Heights’ first-ever Winterfest from 4 to 6 PM on 19th Avenue NE between NE 105th Street and 107th Street (basically, next to Victory Heights Park). There will be free popcorn and hot cider, seasonal music, a food truck, and a luminary walk with luminarias decorated by the community beforehand. Rain or shine!

If you feel like baking, we’ll have a place to drop off cookies.

Read the complete minutes of the November meeting.

In other news, Dean Allsopp from City Councilperson Debora Juarez’s office made a presentation about next year’s budget process. (If you want to really get into the weeds, check these out: the Chair’s Balancing Budget and the Mayor’s 2022 Proposed Budget.)

President Ben Cober reviewed the past year of accomplishments around the community and previewed what’s coming next year.

On Sunday, November 21st there will be a Disaster Preparedness Event at 1 PM at the tennis court in Victory Heights Park. Agenda:
1. Powering your phone from the battery in your car
2. Gift ideas for family/friends that support their preparedness efforts
3. Hosting twice/yearly preparedness events (starting in April 2022) to build a culture of safety
4. General conversation – sharing ideas
Canopies provided if it’s raining but PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR!

Gingerbread House kits will be available for sale (donation) soon, we’ll be donating 20 to Ryther Kids. Some assembly required.

The Community Council will be taking a break in December, back in January 2022 with many great projects in the works.

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North Seattle Sock Drive

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Ryan

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

Northaven Senior Living: 11045 8th Avenue NE

Questions? Contact VictoryHeights.Seattle@gmail.com

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Thornton Creek Alliance Meeting October 28th

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Ryan

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.

Via Zoom — to register for this Zoom meeting, please click:  HERE or  tinyurl.com/RestorationStartsTCA

Questions? Contact Judy Olson at: judyandgaryolson@gmail.com

As always, free and open to the public.

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Pinehurst Doggo & Kids’ Halloween Parade October 31st

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Ryan

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.

Read the complete minutes of the October meeting.

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.

The Green Seattle Partnership is gearing up for volunteer work parties in our green belts around Thornton Creek.  Sign up for the one on November 18th: https://seattle.greencitypartnerships.org/event/20150/

The next (virtual) meeting of the Community Council, is Tuesday, November 16th with guest Dean Allsopp, Debora Juarez’s District Director.

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North End Makerspace Grand Opening October 23rd

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Ryan

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. 

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Chili Cook Off Yummy Success

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Ryan

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!

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Light Rail Extension To Northgate Opens

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Ryan

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 Bridge
District 5 representative Debora Juarez
State Representative Gerry Pollet
John 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 Constantine
Mayor 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.
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Victory Heights Chili Cookoff Sunday at 4 PM

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Ryan
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.
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Northgate Link Light Rail Service Begins Saturday

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Ryan

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!

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