Interested in making a positive impact on your community? Do you bike to work or ride with your family? Have you just rediscovered your love of bicycling? Join Cascade Bicycle Club as a Bicycle Ambassador! You’ll be working to increase the public awareness of the Club, bicycling programs and safety issues.

As an Ambassador, you’ll:
Attend city and county events on bicycles to educate and to spread information about safe bicycling and bicycle commuting.
Distribute bicycling information to city residents by bike.
Help staff summer bicycle events (bike safety rodeos for kids, fairs, community events, helmet sales), set up “Bike to Market” information tables and facilitate “Energizer Stations” to support, encourage and engage bicyclists.
Pass feedback and knowledge gained in the field back to office staff so we can meet the community’s needs.
Recruit new Cascade Members and volunteers.
Lead bike rides for beginners around town.

You must have an outgoing personality, bicycling experience and willingness to initiate conversations with all kinds of people regarding safety and getting started with bicycling.

Knowledge of safe bicycling and cycling in Seattle is desirable. Training and some equipment provided. See http://www.cascade.org/bike-ambassadors for more information about our program.

DETAILS: 10 to 15 hours/weekly, must be able to work at least one weekend day and two days per week through summer. Dates: Training in March; position runs mid-April through Aug. 30. These are paid positions.

Email resume and cover letter by March 7 to
Serena Lehman
Email: gro.bulcelcycibedacsac|emuser#gro.bulcelcycibedacsac|emuser

In the intensity of the fire response and the initial shock of it all, many neighbors offered help. We struggled a little this morning with how best to do it. Here's what I know:

• There are things inside the house that they can salvage, but they'll need to find another place.
• For tonight and maybe a couple more nights the Red Cross has put them up in a hotel in Georgetown.
• They have Somali friends who are taking care of immediate clothing needs.
• A close Somali friend is keeping the kids for at least part of today until they're all in the hotel.
• Zeinab has some support coming from the Red Cross and from SEIU — Lisa Beaulaurier around the corner is her union rep through her child care work. A family support worker from the kids' elementary talked with Zeinab on the phone, so maybe there's some assistance from that quarter too.
• Ahmed is an instructional assistant at Franklin, so that income is steady. Zeinab's child care can't happen until she's established somewhere and relicensed.
• They're very hesitant to ask for anything. The girls' clothing needs are culturally specific. The best I can figure, cash is the best assistance we can offer — they're not asking, but I think there's plenty of room for offering.
• They need to find another place nearby to live: three bedrooms, no more than $1400/ month.

If you'd like to help, please moc.liamtoh|nalpttocs#em liame or call 329 5912. Thank you.

Your elderly and disabled neighbors need your assistance with tasks they are no longer able to do on their own. The laundry is too awkward, the bed too difficult to make, and the groceries are too heavy to carry. A few hours, every other week, would be a great help to the clients who have been on our waiting list. Volunteer positions are close to where you live, and are available on a schedule that works for you. Volunteer individually, with a friend, or with your family.

Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is a "safety net" for elders and adults living with disabilities who are unable or ineligible for state/paid chore services. All recipients are low-income, have health problems or difficulty with mobility, and most live alone. A growing volunteer opportunity in your neighborhood consists of driving clients to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or other chores. We carefully match volunteers to opportunities based on their personalities, neighborhood, and preferences.

Currently, volunteers are donating over 3000 hours a month in the Seattle area. However, there is still a huge number of people waiting for help, and a shortage of volunteers. Volunteers are needed all over Seattle and South King County, but especially in areas like South Seattle.

Due to the vulnerable nature of our clients, volunteers must complete a registration packet, provide three personal references, pass a background check, and attend an orientation.

If you drive while volunteering, we reimburse for your mileage.

For more information on how you can help in your neighborhood, please email gro.wwscc|ceirrek#gro.wwscc|ceirrek,
call Kerrie Carbary, the volunteer coordinator in your area, at 206-328-6858, Volunteer Chore Services main intake line at 206-328-5787.

SEED/Homesight are hosting our first Blood Drive with Puget Sound Blood Drive next Friday, February 5th! Since every blood donation can go to three separate patients, ONE DONATION CAN SAVE THREE LIVES! Help us reach our goal of registering 25-30 donors and help save up to 75 lives!

Please forward this message to your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors and sign up today!

Friday, February 5th

Mobile unit in SEED/Homesight Parking Lot (5117 Rainier Ave S, Seattle 98118)

10:00AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12:00-1:00pm)

Walk-in or make an appointment online

If you donated on or before December 11th you are eligible to donate at this drive.

For questions about eligibility, please contact 800-DONATE-1 x2543
How is my blood used? Blood volunteered by PSBC donors is distributed to over 70 hospitals and clinics in the Puget Sound area. Did you know that while only 5% of the population donates, 90% of us will need a blood transfusion at some point in our lives. Will you donate?

The Puget Sound Blood Center is a non-profit, community and volunteer based organization. For more than 60 years, the PSBC has been improving the quality of life for sick patients in the Puget Sound area. This is all thanks to the generous donors who are saving lives in Western Washington every day. Your volunteered blood is distributed to 70 local hospitals and clinics in the Puget Sound area.
Thank you for your commitment to the health of our community!

Through a series of field and classroom-based workshops focused on the wildlife, plants, ecology, and the natural history of Seward Park, the Master Urban Naturalist Program provides local volunteers with interpretive skills and scientific knowledge to share with Park and Center visitors. Space is limited and reservations are accepted on a first come first served basis.

For more information about the Master Urban Naturalist Program and a link to the application please visit our website: http://sewardpark.audubon.org.

Have a question or comment about the program? E-mail the Marina Pita, the Program Coordinator! E-mail- mpita(at)audubon(dot)org or call 206-652-2444 extension 109

I feel really lucky. I live with my family in a place we love, among neighbors we sure do enjoy, and who clearly have caught that same Columbia City bug.

We've got many inspiring neighborhood causes, but I'm picking one. I'm asking friends and neighbors to give a birthday donation to Bike Works.

(image by Seattle Daily Photo)

For the last 13 years, they've empowered kids from all walks to ride like they earned it, to work on bikes and earn their own wheels through sweat equity. And that's just one of Bike Works' programs. Bikes and bike repair are their catalyst for action in environment, social justice, community, and fun.

Learn more here (that links to a no-cost donation passthrough to Bike Works, via facebook). If you prefer to donate in other ways, please let me know.

I'm not sure it's cool to broadcast a birthday wish across the neighborhood. I've gotta admit, it's unnerving even. But the coolness of having our own nonprofit bike shop in Columbia City, and the amazing things they do — that clearly tips the balance in favor of putting this once-in-a-decade wish out there.

For all that they do — and they do it with talent, humor, and gusto — please consider including Bike Works in your giving, and thank you for making my 40th that much more special.

Scott.

Where: Safeway at 3820 Rainier Ave S
When: Saturday November 14th & Sunday November 15th, 2009 from 10-4

Sign up: Call Sam Osborne at 206.723.4105.

What volunteering looks like:Volunteer shifts are two hours long. During this time, you pass out fliers to people entering the store (the fliers contain a grocery list with our most needed items). Some people will purchase items inside the store and drop them off with you. You offer them a warm thank you and a smile, and pack the groceries into the containers provided by RVFB. The stronger of our volunteers may wish to help load bags, boxes or barrels of food into our waiting vehicle. Donations will be picked up approximately every two hours.

Who can help: EVERYONE can help! This is a great activity for parents to do with their kids - even the little people can hand out fliers to those entering the store and give a hearty "thanks!" to all who donate. Teens looking for community volunteer hours can lend a hand. It’s also a great event for your faith community, Rotary club, etc…

Where is Rainier Valley Food Bank located? RVFB is just a few blocks south of the Rainier Ave Safeway store at 4205 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. Our phone number is 206-723-4105. For more information, see [http://www.rvfb.org]

What else can I do to help?
- Donate money online at www.rvfb.org
- Send a check to RVFB at 4205 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98118
- Hold a food or fund drive at your work, school, faith community or book club.
- Grow food for RVFB or bring surplus from your garden.
- Spread the word - encourage others to join our efforts!

Thanks so much for your help, and we look forward to seeing you at the food drive!

With questions, or if you are interested in helping coordinate volunteers for food drives, please contact:

Sam Osborne, Executive Director
Rainier Valley Food Bank
206/723-4105

THANK YOU!

When: Sunday, October 4th 10 am – 4 pm
(Union Gospel Mission volunteers are working the Saturday shift - we can connect you if you prefer to work Saturday)

What volunteering looks like: Volunteer shifts are two hours long. During this time, you pass out a grocery list to people entering the store. Some people purchase items inside the store and drop them off with you. You give them a warm thank you and a smile and pack the groceries into the containers provided by RVFB. The stronger of our volunteers may wish to help load bags, boxes or barrels of food into our waiting vechile.

Who can help: EVERYONE can help! Kids as young as five on up! Great for middle and high school kids looking for volunteer hours.

How do I sign up: email gro.bfvr|ofni#gro.bfvr|ofni or call 206-723-4105

Where is Rainier Valley Food Bank located?
RVFB is just a few blocks south of the QFC store at 4205 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, Wa 98118. The phone number is 206-723-4105. Visit the web site at www.rvfb.org.
Learn more about Union Gospel Mission at www.ugm.org

Where: Safeway at 3820 Rainier Ave S
When: Saturday September 12th & Sunday September 13th, 2009 from 10-4

To sign up, send email to gro.bfvr|newg#gro.bfvr|newg.

What volunteering looks like: Volunteer shifts are two hours long. During this time, you pass out flyers to people entering the store (the flyers contain a grocery list with our most needed items). Some people will purchase items inside the store and drop them off with you. You give them a warm thank you and a smile and pack the groceries into the containers provided by RVFB. The stronger of our volunteers may wish to help load bags, boxes or barrels of food into our waiting vehicle.

Who can help: EVERYONE can help! This is a great activity for parents to do with their kids - even the little people can hand out flyers to those entering the store and give a hearty "thanks!" to all who donate. Teens looking for community volunteer hours can lend a hand. It is a great event for churches, rotary, etc…

Where is Rainier Valley Food Bank located?

RVFB is just a few blocks south of the Rainier Ave Safeway store at 4205 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. The phone number there is 206-723-4105. See the food bank web site at www.rvfb.org

Thanks so much for all of your help! I look forward to seeing you at the food drive.

Note: If you are interested in helping coordinate volunteers for food drives, please contact Gwen.

Gwen Mitchell
Agency Director
206-723-4105
Rainier Valley Food Bank

What else can I do to help?
- Donate money online at www.rvfb.org
- Send a check to RVFB at 4205 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98118
- Hold a food or fund drive at your work, school, church or book club.
- Grow food for RVFB or bring surplus from your garden.
- Spread the word - encourage others to join our efforts!

Please contact me at moc.ogidni-esum|ennaoj#moc.ogidni-esum|ennaoj to let me know if you want to help out. I'll need to know by Friday at noon so I can give Tutta Bella a head count. And show up at the restaurant at 6:15pm sharp. We need to be out of the restaurant and at the venues by 7pm.

Great line-up - check it out at http://www.columbiacitybeatwalk.org.

No experience necessary, but it's helps if you're a nice and trustworthy person.

Joanne Kelly
BeatWalk Coordinator

Thanks much,
Beth Jacoby
206-725-4669

The Rainier Valley Historical Society is about to tackle its paper archives — inventorying, sorting, and rehousing boxes of records from local churches, schools, and community organizations. Want to help?

The Washington State Historical Society is offering a FREE training, "Basics of Archives," on February 13th and 14th in Seattle. (It's a one-day training, offered twice.) This is a good introduction to archival practice, very useful for anyone who plans to work with our paper collections. For more info, or to register, contact Mark Vessey at 360-586-0219 or mvessey AT wshs.wa.gov. Registration deadline is Feb 6.

If you are interested in volunteering but can't make the training, no worries — we are happy to train you ourselves. We are still looking for folks who want to help catalog historic photographs too. Please contact the RVHS at 206-723-1663 or rvhsoffice AT aol.com.

We're also looking for new off-site storage — the space Jean VelDyke has so generously donated for over a decade is no longer available. We need a clean, dry, secure room, 500 sf or so, preferably close to our office on Ferdinand. Any ideas?

Cheers and Thanks,

Mikala Woodward
RVHS Director