Tuesday, October 28, 2008

New Feature

We've just added a feature to this blog. We call it "Blogs, etc. We Like".

It's right over there... under the picture of the venerable Blue Building.

So far we have PhinneyWood and the Greenwood Blog. Got any ideas? What should we add?

>>end post<<

Fall Colors

Recently some relatives were visiting from out of town. While they were here they went up to the mountains to see the fall colors. When they came back to my house in Greenwood they said: "There's more fall color in your neighborhood than there is in the mountains!"

What do you think? Where is the best place to view the fall colors?


>>end post<<

Monday, October 27, 2008

Neighborhood Summit

The City Neighborhood Council and the Dept of Neighborhoods invite you to attend the annual Neighborhood Summit event on Tuesday. Mayor Nickels will be there as will members of the City Council so it’s a good opportunity to network with other citizens and elected officials about a wide variety of issues of concern in Seattle.

Click here for the PDF flyer of the event.

>>end post<<

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Friends of The Seattle Public Library

John Smith, the Chair of the PNA's board of directors has asked that this open letter from the Friends of The Seattle Public Library be posted here:

October 15, 2008
Dear Phinney Neighborhood Association members,

The Seattle Public Library’s 27 new and expanded facilities are overflowing with children, teens and adults checking out books and materials, using computers for research and homework, attending programs with award-winning authors, and much more. Particularly in the down economy, people are using Library resources even more to find out about social services, look for job opportunities, improve English skills and get expert assistance from librarians. 11.6 million people visited Library facilities last year with more than 9.3 million items circulated and 1 million questions answered.

These statistics will be surpassed in 2008 because our libraries are busier than they’ve ever been. Libraries must continue to offer strong and relevant collections to meet the growing information needs of this city’s diverse community.

Last year, thanks to community input, the members of the Seattle City Council approved a 2 million dollar add to the Mayor’s budget for The Seattle Public Library collections for a total of $7.1 million. The Library reported to the City Council on Monday, October 6th that the 2 million dollar increase had been well spent. Based on priorities identified in the 2006 Patrons Needs and Satisfaction Survey, The Library “increased supply of popular titles, number of titles with more than 5 holds cut in half, expanded ESL materials and world language collections, expanded children’s picture book collection, added 6,350 new downloadable items to the virtual library, added five premium databases to virtual library and replaced over 500 public computers.”

You can view the proposed budget for The Library for 2009 and 2010 here [pdf]; Watch The Library's presentation and view The Library's power point presented to the Budget Committee on The City Council's "Departmental Presentations" page by scrolling down to the Monday, 10/6/08 here to learn even more.

Now is the time to let council members know how you have benefited from The Seattle Public Library and the important role it plays in enhancing the educational, cultural and economic vitality of our city. Act now.

Here’s how:

1) E-mail council members: Tim Burgess, Sally Clark, Richard Conlin, Jan Drago, Jean Godden, Bruce Harrell, Nick Licata, Richard McIver, and Tom Rasmussen. Tell them your name, the branch you use, how you use the library and how it is important. Thank them for their past support and ask them to support library collections and services.

2) Join us at a public hearing on the budget at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 at City hall. R.S.V.P. to advocacy@splfriends.org

We have a blog: friendsofspl.org, or visit our Web site: friendsofspl.wordpress.com to find out more on how you can support the excellent services and programs of The Seattle Public Library.

Thank you,
Friends of The Seattle Public Library
>>Back to main blog page

Sustainability and Community

The following was written by Cecile Andrews (Phinney EcoVillage and author of Slow is Beautiful) for the upcoming Holiday edition of the Phinney Ridge Review but, due to lack of space, did not make the final edit. We thought you might enjoy reading it nevertheless.

People are finally understanding the importance of sustainability. We’re beginning to realize that we must change our ways — in particular, we’re beginning to understand that climate change is forcing us to reduce our use of oil.

In response, we’re trying to drive less, keep our heat turned down, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, and so on. But there’s one thing we often neglect — something that should be at the top our lists: building community.

Why community? Because it helps you cut back on consumerism, the issue at the heart of oil reduction.

We overconsume because we are confused about the nature of happiness. We think that if we’re rich and have lots of stuff, we’ll be happy — so we throw ourselves into the pursuit of money and things. But the research shows very clearly that, after a certain point, more money does not bring more happiness.

What does? Warm, supportive relationships with others — community.

But since we don’t understand this, we go along with the consumer society, working long hours and spending our time at the malls, growing more depressed and frantic. In fact, over the last several years happiness has decline just as community has diminished..
Further, we consume because we don’t have many alternatives to the malls. There’s not a lot of fun, free things to do in most people’s neighborhoods. But what if people had vital community lives? What if people knew their neighbors and took the time to gather together to talk and laugh. Who would want to go to the mall?

So building community is central to sustainability. As we support our local businesses, we create a vital and congenial street life where people will hang out rather than drive across town for costly entertainment. As we get involved in community activities, we have no desire to wander the department stores.

Above all, community is where people transform themselves from consumers into citizens. In a democracy people must be engaged at the local level, and there’s plenty in Phinney to get involved in. We can take a class at the PNA, get involved in a conversation group at the Phinney EcoVillage (www.phinneyecovillage.net), affect public policy in the Phinney Ridge Community Council (see www.phinneyecovillage.net), or work to stop the war with Phinney Neighbors for Peace and Justice.

Ultimately, it is the experience of community that teaches us to care about the common good. It is in community we learn that we’re all in this together — that our individual fate is connected to the fate of others. That's the heart of sustainability. >>Back to main blog page

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Neighborhood is Going to the Dogs

About a year ago I discovered that I could tell exactly where the mail carrier was by the sound of the dog barking. Later, when everyone on the block got together for the annual National Night Out Block Party, dogs seemed to be everywhere, even throwing themselves out of windows apparently to join the fun! Lately I've noticed a growing number of neighbors out walking, not just one dog, but two! So when did my block go to the dogs and why? Can you explain it? Do you have a dog? Did you just get another one? Aren’t they just the cutest little puppies EVER? (Full disclosure: I prefer cats and share my home with one.)
>>end post<<

Saturday, October 18, 2008

In Search of Donuts

Where do you go to get a good donut around here?

I don't mean those Crispy Creamy ones, the poodle dog of donuts. Where are the Golden Retrievers of donuts? You know, the perfect donut: good with kids and grown-ups love them too.

The sizzling hot apple fritters covered with warm glaze that melt in your mouth amid small chunks of tasty apples… the buttermilk cake donuts lightly crisp on the outside and safe and warm inside done to the perfect consistency that allows a sip of hot coffee to combine with a bite of donut into a mouthful of morning magic…

Where do you go in or around Greenwood/Phinney for the best donuts ever?

>>end post<<

Friday, October 17, 2008

Greenwood/Phinney… what’s the dif??

Lately I’ve noticed a number of people, for whatever reason, pointing out what they consider to be the differences between the Greenwood & Phinney neighborhoods.

I live in what is considered Greenwood and work in Phinney (full disclosure: I am the Marketing Director of the PNA) and I don’t get it. I mean, sure there are differences, just like there are between you & me, dogs & cats, us & them, Earth & Mars, etc. but why belabor it? Isn’t their enough divisiveness in the world today?

So I ask you, is it worth it to point out the differences between Greenwood & Phinney… and, if so, what are those differences??


>>end post<<

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Holiday Wacktastic Light Show

Two Greenwood-Phinney residents want to light up the neighborhood and “make the rest of Seattle sit up and take notice.” But they need your help to do it.

Beegee Tolpa and Kelly Davis, local residents who are also illustrators and graphic designers, want to generate excitement and pride about living in the neighborhood. “We want to get to know our neighbors. We want Greenwood-Phinney to become a destination neighborhood.” The neighborhood is “full of wonderful shops that can benefit from holiday shoppers so let’s create an excuse to get them here!”
So the excuse they’re creating is the Holiday Wacktastic Light Show. They’re inviting neighborhood businesses and residents to think creatively and light up their yards, fences, mailboxes, street signs, garbage cans and driveways with lights.

“This is not a show of how much money you spend on lights but rather how creative you get. Each display doesn’t have to be big but we want to get as many people involved as we can so that people from other neighborhoods will see Greenwood-Phinney as a destination.”

And to promote involvement, they’ve turned the event into a contest as well. They’ve recruited three local “celebrity judges;” Robynne Raye, an award winning graphic artist; Rocket Man Houlihan, mascot for the Rat City Rollergirls; and Jennifer Worrick, author of “The Prairie Girl’s Guide to Life” and the “Worst-Case Scenario” books. First, second and third place winners will receive big “loot piles” of goods donated by local businesses. They will also get bragging rights and a chance to judge next year’s contest.

At this writing, Kelly and Beegee are still working out some of the details but information should soon be available at www.wacktasticlightshow.com.

They’re hoping the Light Show will be “a great way for Greenwood-Phinney to come together and add sparkle to the wet winter days ahead!”
>>Back to main blog page

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Celebración del Día de los Muertos

Celebre esta festividad tradicional mexicana de vida y muerte con desfile y actividades el dia viernes 7 de noviembre. La procesión empezará en las calles 75 y Phinney a las 18:30 y seguirá al Phinney Neighborhood Center, ubicado en 6532 Phinney Ave. N donde se encontrará un altar comunitario y se podrá disfrutar de musica en vivo, chocolate caliente, actividades de manualidades y más. Llame (206) 783-2244 para más información.
En México, El Día de los Muertos es un evento festivo y familiar, tradicionalmente celebrado el 1 de noviembre (Día de los Angelitos) y el 2° (Día de los Muertos). Día de los Muertos enfatiza que la vida y la muerte son parte del mismo ciclo. Según creencias basadas en tradiciones pre-Colombianas, en el Día de los Muertos, los mundos de los vivos y los muertos estan cercanos y los muertos puede ser atraídos por medio de los aromas de flores y sus comidas y bebidas preferidas. En ciertas partes de Mexico, un componente importante de esta celebración es la ofrenda o altar personal, construido en casas y/o sobre las tumbas de los fallecidos. Según la tradición, fotos de los muertos estan puestos en medio de la ofrenda y estan rodeadas porcomida, bebida, velas, flores, calaveras de azucar y recuerdos personales. Todo esto está hecho en presentaciones hermosas para honrar las almas volvientes.

Gracias a la Oficina de Artes y Asuntos Culturales de la Ciudad de Seattle y a la Comisión de Artes del Estado de Washington quienes facilitan la continuación de esta celebración importante y tradicional.>>Back to main blog page

Friday, October 10, 2008

New PNA Fourm

The PNA is considering starting an on line forum and we'd like to know what's on your mind. What would you like to talk about on a neighborhood forum?
>>end post<<

Monday, October 6, 2008

Missed Out on Pig Out?

If the Great Debate reduced your appetite on the night of the Phabulous Phinney Pig Out consider giving directly to the Soup Kitchen.

Use your credit card on line here.

You can phone in you credit card donation to (206) 783-2244.

Checks may also be sent or hand delivered to:

Phinney Neighborhood Association
6532 Phinney Ave N
Seattle WA 98103


>>end post<<