Hearing Monday For Sacajawea Project

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Ryan

sacajaweaThe Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee is hosting a public hearing to gather public comments on the proposed second round Opportunity Fund projects on Monday April 22, 2013. Among the 12 proposals are  Sacajawea Elementary School’s Playground Renovation.
In January,  the Committee heard more than 40 group project presentations. They made a draft recommendation of projects for the second round of funding.  The list of twelve projects represents two projects from each geographical sector of the city (the other Northeast Seattle nominee is a Lake City Skatespot). The Committee is holding a public hearing to gather input before finalizing the list of recommended projects it submits to the Mayor and City Council.
The hearing is at Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E, from 6 – 9 p.m, Monday.

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Insurance Requirements Vex Community Plans

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Ryan

You would think something as easy as “Hey, let’s all have an organized picnic in the park” would be simple, but insurance, fees and liability have proven to make such plans anything but. Last night’s Victory Heights Community Council meeting discussed a proposed neighborhood picnic in July to be held at the park until it was realized it would cost a minimum of $455 just for a four hour event (Park permits, plus $300 in required insurance). Instead, the Council is planning on an informal block party during the City’s annual Neighborhood Night Out on August 6th.
Read the complete Minutes of the April 16th meeting.
Insurance requirements also reared their ugly head when it was realized by the Victory Heights Co-operative Pre-School that their insurance does not extend to adults in the building they lease from the Parks Department, not even to their own staff! Questions about liability when we use the building for meetings have come up, and the Community Council may need to pony up for insurance or else face having to meet somewhere else (though there is no other suitable place in the neighborhood).
Other items discussed at the meeting included the city’s Spring Clean, reports from the Emergency Preparedness Committee, and the recent victory at the North District council to get a new traffic circle put in on 23rd Avenue NE.
Next month’s meeting agenda (Tuesday May 21st) will include a presentation from Sound Transit about the Link Light Rail south of Northgate, planning for the Night Out, and installing Little Free Libraries around the neighborhood similar to what Pinehurst has done.

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Knickerbocker Site History

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Ryan

floodplain1960

Knickerbocker Floodplain site circa 1960. Photo courtesy Jay Amena.


Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has created a page detailing the history of the Knickerbocker Floodplain site (aka Thornton Creek at NE 100th Street and 20th Avenue NE).  Resident Jay Amena has provided a number of historic photographs that show the houses that once existed on NE 100th, the soon-to-be site of the Floodplain Restoration Project that begins works this summer.
Related articles: Knickerbocker Restoration Would be First In The Nation

SPU Outlines Knickerbocker Project Status
Please take a moment to “Like” the Victory Heights Blog Facebook page.
 

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City Wants Internet Feedback

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Ryan

The City of Seattle wants to hear from residents about your use of the Internet , preferences in receiving information from the City and how they engage with their local government and community.
Take the survey in English or Spanish before April 20th
at http://www.seattle.gov/tech/indicator2013.htm  
The Technology Survey covers:
•    Internet,
•    Cable TV customer satisfaction,
•    How you want to give your opinion or get info from the city
•    Social media preferences,
•    Cell phones usage,
•    Concerns about cost or security
•    High-speed Internet services
Answers from this survey will help shape the City’s strategic and engagement efforts regarding cable re-franchising, the City’s web site, Seattle Channel and public outreach. It is also used by others to help plan community outreach and education programs.
My little editorial about this is, I can’t see the city not awarding the cable franchise to anyone other than Xfinity (Comcast). They have invested millions into infrastructure and would not just walk away without a huge fight (i.e. lawsuit). But perhaps the city can extract concessions from Xfinity with regards to service for low-income residents, internet access, or public access channels. But don’t expect the name on your monthly cable bill to change anytime soon (barring yet another corporate name change or merger).
For more information on this Information Technology Indicators Project, visit www.seattle.gov/tech/indicators/ or contact communitytechnology@seattle.gov or David Keyes at 386-9759 or Vicky Yuki at 233-7877.

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April Events Calendar

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Ryan

A quick look at what’s coming up in and around Victory Heights in April:
Tuesday, April 16th: Victory Heights Community Council Meeting. Everyone in the community is invited to the monthly meeting to discuss issues, events, and build a better neighborhood.  7 PM at the Pre-school in Victory Heights Park.
Friday and Saturday, April 26 & 27th: Olympic View Elementary Plant Sale. Get growing with vegetable and fruit starts, herbs, flowering annuals, premium perennials, pottery, garden art, and more! 9 AM to 7 PM, 504 NE 95th Street.
Sunday, April 28th: Sundays Are Special Celebration at the Northgate Public Library. It will feature refreshments and a craft event for families, along with the Check-Out Challenge game and information about new Library services. 2 PM to 3:30 PM, 10548 5th Avenue NE.

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VH Blog First Anniversary

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Ryan

Today is the first anniversary of the Victory Heights Blog. It all got started when I got up one morning to find a note my wife had left me, “I think you would be perfect to start a blog about Victory Heights.” I had never done a blog before but on April 9, 2012 I figured, “What the heck.”
The original blog was hosted on WordPress, and promoted on a few e-mail distribution lists and posters around the neighborhood. It was soon thereafter I heard from the Pinehurst Seattle folks wondering if I was connected to the North District Council. Unbeknownst to me, the North District Council (which up until then I had never heard of) had been talking about starting a blog for Victory Heights, put up some money, and had even purchased a domain name, victoryheights.org. But the folks on the fledgling Victory Heights Community Council hadn’t found anyone to work on it yet. When they saw my blog, we decided to combine forces and the blog officially moved over to where it is now. A month later, another former local blog, Place of the Towering Firs, agreed to post their old content here as an archive (which is why you’ll see articles here older than April 2012).
Since then, the Victory Heights Community Council has officially been organized, with regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at the Pre-School in Victory Park (next one is April 16th at 7 PM). There are also plans to hold a summer picnic for the community, as well as emergency planning work being done.
Thanks to everyone who has supported the blog and continue to read it each day. Don’t forget to “Like” our Victory Heights Blog Facebook page if you haven’t done so already.
Ryan

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North District Council Approves Traffic Circle

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Ryan

Looking east at the intersection of 23rd Ave NE & NE 105th, site of the proposed traffic circle

Looking east at the intersection of 23rd Ave NE & NE 105th, site of the proposed traffic circle


Eileen Canola, who has been working to get a traffic circle put in at the intersection of NE 105th Street and 23rd Avenue NE reports:

Just letting you know that the North District Council voted on our traffic circle request  along with the other applications for the Parks and Street Fund, and it made the top three!!!
So, that means the North District Council will forward our application along with the other two, to the Seattle Department of Transportation for analysis/feasibility.  We should hear back from the Department of Neighborhoods later in the year.
Thank you for the support!
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Traffic Circle Vote On North District Council Agenda Wednesday

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Ryan

Looking east at the intersection of 23rd Ave NE & NE 105th, site of the proposed traffic circle

Looking east at the intersection of 23rd Ave NE & NE 105th, site of the proposed traffic circle


The proposed traffic circle in Victory Heights at NE 105th Street and 23rd Avenue NE will be reviewed and voted on as part of the 2013 Neighborhood Park And Street Fund process at the North District Council (NDC) meeting on Wednesday. Each year, community councils offer proposals for review by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Parks Department for small low-impact projects that are paid for out of the discretionary Street Fund. Applications are prioritized by the appropriate District Council by a vote which is then passed on to the city departments for a final decision.
Eileen Canola of Victory Heights has been working for many years to get a traffic circle approved, jumping through many hoops in order to make it this far for consideration. On Wednesday, the NDC will be reviewing the applications and hearing from applicants at their meeting April 3rd at the Lake City Library.   Each applicant will allowed a few minutes (around 5 or less) for presentation and questions.  Following the six presentations, the NDC members will select three proposals for further evaluation by either SDOT or Parks, depending on the project location. Meetings start at 7 p.m., with the presentations probably starting at 7:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend. The Department of Neighborhoods will notify applicants of award status in September 2013.
Want to know more about the North District Council?
Part 1: Introduction to the North District Council
Part 2: How Representatives Are Chosen
Part 3: Is the District Council a squeaky wheel or just public relations?
Part 4: Representing Victory Heights
The Lake City Library is located at 12501 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125.
Please take a moment to “Like” the Victory Heights Blog Facebook page.

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Meadowbrook Egg Hunt March 30th

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Ryan

The Seattle Parks Department has announced “Eggstravaganzas,” various Egg Hunts to be held in parks across Seattle this weekend. The nearest one to Victory Heights will be at the Meadowbook Playfield, 10533 35th Avenue NE, on Saturday, March 30th at 10 AM.  Sponsored by the Meadowbrook and Ravenna-Eckstein Community Centers, the event for ages 1-11 will, “Celebrate the coming of spring with an egg hunt beginning at 10 am sharp! The hunt will feature healthy snacks. Bring your own bag or basket. We will hold the hunt rain or shine. Please bring a non-perishable food item to go to North Helpline.”
Please take a moment to “Like” the Victory Heights Blog Facebook page.

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Neighborhood Yard Sale Continues Through Sunday

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Ryan

garagesaleVictory Heights resident Teresa is holding a yard sale all weekend at her house at 10421 20th Ave NE.  You can choose from a wide selection of power tools, books, lawn furniture and even clothing from Africa. And much more!
The yard sale is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

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