Community News, July 2010

Because we will not be publishing a Demogram for July, we've posted the Community News article here on the blog.

Community News

J Peter Shapiro
outreach@46dems.com

Maple Leaf honored by Audubon Society

From the Maple Leaf Community Council: "The Seattle Audubon Society presented their 2010 Conservation Award to the Maple Leaf Community Council and Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder for their role in permanently preserving Waldo Woods. Seattle Audubon's annual Conservation Award is given to the individual or group in the greater Seattle community who has made a unique and significant contribution to the protection of birds and wildlife habitat, using creative means for engaging and inspiring the public. Founded in 1916, Seattle Audubon members and volunteers have continually worked for the protection, restoration and preservation of natural habitat for birds and other wildlife." Seattle Audubon makes its headquarters in the 46th District, on 35th Ave NE in the Wedgwood neighborhood.

"NEST" in the news

The Seattle Times recently published a lengthy story about one of the District’s new grass-roots community groups, North East Seattle Together (NEST), whose mission if to help our elderly neighbors stay in their homes. As described by the paper, "the group is attempting to build a 'virtual village' and serve as a stand-in for family members or friends who can't be there to help all the time with the little things. It would be the first such program in the state, modeled after similar villages on the East Coast." For more information visit www.nestseattle.org, which you can also find via our website’s "Advocacy and Action" links at www.46dems.com.

Welcome Alleycat Acres . . .

. . . as our latest link to our many community Action and Advocacy groups ("Farming and Local Food"). Alleycat Acres defines it mission as an "urban farming collective that transforms vacant spaces to create a network of sustainable urban farms that reconnect people to food while helping to increase food security on a community level." You can find them on our website, or directly at http://www.alleycatacres.com. Currently, their urban farms are located south of the Montlake Cut, but we’re hoping they’ll soon make connection with like-minded groups and individuals here in the Fightin’ 46th. They write, "By farming on plots within the city, we seek to strengthen communities and rebuild the connection that has been lost between people and food. To accomplish our goals, we partner with landowners to secure farmland and aim to connect with community organizations to find local residents to help maintain and design the farms and plan for distribution." Oh, and they explain their name on their website.

Progress in the "swamp"

Laurelhurst neighbors celebrated their progress in developing the Yesler Swamp Trail by hosting Father’s Day walks starting at the nearby Center for Urban Horticulture on Surber Drive. The tours gave visitors a chance to see Seattle’s only swamp up close, thanks to almost a quarter of a mile of trails that intrepid volunteers had installed in the area in the preceding two and a half months. The walks meandered through 70-foot high poplars. With luck, eagles were overhead as the hikers perambulated. The site of the swamp, before the Montlake Cut lowered Lake Washington, was a holding area for logs destined for Henry Yesler’s saw mill on Elliott Bay. For more information about this project and history of the area visit the Friends of the Yesler Swamp Trail website, which you can also find via our "Advocacy and Action" links.

Futurewise honored by Laurelhurst Elementary

From Angela Uhl, Co-Director of Futurewise: "The students of Laurelhurst Elementary School selected Futurewise to receive funding from their Penny Harvest program at their year end assembly. Grade School children collected pennies to distribute to local area non-profits throughout the year. As part of the program the children researched, interviewed and selected the recipients. Futurewise is honored to have received this award from such a thoughtful, enthusiastic group of young philanthropists. Thank you Laurelhurst Students!" Where can you learn more about this environmental advocacy organization? Via the "Advocacy and Action" links on our website, of course!