Bryan-David Scott, CEO
North Star Fine Coffees

Two threads in as many days — the guy's a promoter. Let's let this pass, especially if he brews his wares at Sunday's brunch, like he did last month!

Located at the eastern ends of the island of Jamaica runs a majestic range of hills known as the Blue Mountains. At elevations of up to 5,000 feet, here the terrain, the soil, the rainfall, and the thick Blue Mountain mist combine to create the perfect conditions for the cultivation of the World's famous, most distinguished and most delicious Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. Only coffee grown in this precise geographic region under exacting conditions will be certified "100% Blue Mountain Coffee".

North Star Fine Coffees only offers 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffees while other coffee companies offer a blend.italic text

For more information or to be among the first in Seattle to order this rare coffee, contact our office by writing to moc.seeffocenifratshtron|ofni#moc.seeffocenifratshtron|ofni or by calling (206) 722-3060.

*** North Star Fine Coffees is in the process of acquiring our license issued by Wallenford Coffee Company of Kingston, Jamaica.

In the full flush of summer, that's when Columbia City shows its truest, most vibrant colors. Most of this Wikli is focused in the week's Citizen comments. Don't miss them.

• BeatWalk hits its stride.
• The market is full to bursting.
• City planners show their thinking about Columbia School and Columbia Plaza.
• A Citizen promotes his new coffee company.
• In news —
  • The Tenants Union is in danger of closing.
  • How strong is the light rail link?
  • an anti-violence summit
• In the blogossiphere —
  • Pizza makes a strong showing.
  • acupuncture and holistic health
  • The District thwarts a covert Citizen sign-painting action. Curses, foiled again!
• In Citizen comments —
  • Marian Wright Edelman will speak in Columbia City.
  • Citizens share what they know about Columbia School, Columbia Plaza, and the St Gobain site.
  • A future Thai restaurant.
  • The EriAm Sisters make it to "America's Got Talent".
  • Hillman City's Department of Licensing office to close.

There's all that and much more. Check it out!

• Check out this week's Wikli: http://ColumbiaCitizens.net/wikli:current — its content is now fixed.
• If you'd like to post to the next Wikli, that's here: http://ColumbiaCitizens.net/wikli

Enjoy,

S.

Feed your habit. This alert serves as an RSS feed, another way to get your Wikli fix.

By CASEY MCNERTHNEY
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

"Police confiscated more than 300 computers and dozens of electronic accessories Friday afternoon from a South Seattle computer-repair shop that investigators say was trafficking in stolen goods.

The nondescript storefront, in the 7600 block of Rainier Avenue South, was one of three related locations South Precinct detectives searched Friday."

Read more here:
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407615_raid25.html

The City's decision determines that environmental impacts aren't significant enough to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The analysis addresses these environmental elements:

• air quality,
• noise,
• parking,
• traffic,
• pedestrian circulation,
• height, bulk & scale,
• shadows on the park.

Of those elements, the decision finds some environmental impacts, but nothing that rises to the level considered significant. Some negative effects warrant "mitigation" — extra measures to reduce the environmental impacts. Those measures are identified as conditions of permit approval.

DPD decided not to require anything further to address the transition in height, bulk and scale (a tall building next to an area of lower buildings) or shadows on the park. The planner conditioned the project to keep the sidewalks open, except in certain circumstances. The analysis suggests there should be limits on construction hours to limit noise impacts, but it doesn't follow through and actually impose the condition.

Here's a big deal. Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund, will speak at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club on July 7, 2009. From the City's press release:

SEATTLE -Mayor Greg Nickels announced today that he will convene a youth violence prevention summit on July 7, 2009. The keynote speaker will be Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund and a nationally recognized advocate for disadvantaged Americans.

Last fall, Nickels proposed the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative with the goal of reducing incidents of youth violence by 50 percent. In his State of the City speech last February, Nickels promised to hold a summit to explore best practices and call our entire community to action.

“This gathering will bring together parents, young people and community members to motivate and support each other in our efforts,” said Nickels. “We are fundamentally changing the way we prevent youth violence. It will take everyone working together to engage our young people and offer them a better path.”

With the theme “Inspiring Hope and Making Change,” the summit begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club/Rainier Valley Teen Center, located at 4520 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Other speakers include Nickels and Mariko Lockhart, director of the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. The summit will also include young people performing and reading poetry. Community groups will staff a resource fair to sign up volunteers and provide help for families in need.

read more...

If you love great coffee, you are in for a surprise. We specialize in offering only premium grade one coffees, the finest in the world.

We will be hosting a tasting event In July, DTBA. If you would like to see for yourself what a five star rated coffee is like, please plan to join us. You are welcomed to call or write for more information.

L'Chaim!

Bryan-David Scott, CEO
North Star Fine Coffees
Purveyors of the World's Finest Coffees
Seattle, WA
(206) 722-3060
moc.seeffocenifratshtron|ttocsdb#moc.seeffocenifratshtron|ttocsdb

If they're going to move Interagency to Columbia School, I'm still confused as to why they the school was put on the inventory list posted in April.

(206) 755 3873

We are looking for a babysitter every other week or so on Friday and/or saturday from like 8:00 till Midnight or 1. It should be EASY work as our kids will likely be asleep the entire time.

Thanks,

Tim

Please post any recommendations

The first was to the contact, Clayton O'Brien Smith. He turns out to be the architect for the project and we had a very pleasant conversation. He was very helpful, although made every effort not to share too much information that might not be "public" as yet and suggested I give Bradley Wilburn with DPD a call. Mr. Wilburn might have not had enough coffee before returning my call but was helpful none the less.

What is now clear from my conversations is that Harbor is attempting to only develop half of this project. According to Mr. Wilburn, the area covered by these two permits is the northern half of the property. Basically everything along Hudson and midway down 37th. The rest of the property will potentially be developed in the future.

So, while it appears that the very high density of this project is not being changed, just staggered. We should definitely keep this in mind during future reviews.

The next review meeting will likely be scheduled sometime this fall, according to Mr. Wilburn.

Thanks!
Connie

Qualifications: outgoing personality, sales experience a plus, presentable appearance, articulate

Pay: $.75 per signature, One hour training @$15 per hour.
Duties: go to events, farmer's markets and street fairs and collect signatures for Charter Amendment ( nothing to do with Tim Eyman)
Hours: Flexible, days or nights, definetly Sat. and Sun during the day.

Contact: moc.liamg|1sniktawerd#moc.liamg|1sniktawerd, send resume with availability.

Here's the liquor license application for the Spice Room. It'll be next door to sushi, that other popular request.

update: Scott's comment below seems right. "Puri" and "Sarveshwar" do have an East Indian ring to them, don't they? Last month I heard Thai was coming to that spot. Anyone know for sure?

1. Notice of Decision for the Columbia Plaza site. This came out today. DPD's decision comes in advance of the Landmarks Board's approval — maybe that's normal.
   • No conditioning for morning shadows on Columbia Park.
   • No conditioning for height, bulk and scale impacts.
   • Some conditioning to maintain open sidewalks along the west side of Rainier during construction.
   • Discussion of construction noise, and an intent to condition, but no follow-through. I guess that's a slip-up.
2. Revised notice of application for the St Gobain site, in two separate notices: MUP 3007279 and MUP 3010062
   • I haven't yet figured out how these differ from the most recent notices.
   • Last I heard, Harbor Properties (developer) was trying to modify their purchase & sale agreement to acquire the property in phases — neighborhood gossip. Sounds like all parties are in an economic bind.
3. An interpretation about allowed uses for Columbia School, discussed here.
4. Another Notice of Application, this one for the Iglesia Ni Cristo, south of Hillman City.

Dispersion is a development standard applied to institutions located in residential zones. The idea, I think, is to recognize that residential zones are traditionally where we find churches, schools and the like — but that their impacts (parking, etc) are more acceptable if they're spread fairly evenly.

Zion is there. So is the former Southside Church of Christ, among others. But in spite of the dispersion standard, C1 allows certain instutional uses outright.

Seattle Municipal Code 23.45.004C states:

C. Uses in existing or former public schools:

1. Child care centers, public or private schools, educational and vocational training for the disabled, adult evening education classes, nonprofit libraries, community centers, community programs for the elderly and similar uses are permitted in existing or former public schools.
2. Other non-school uses may be permitted in existing or former public schools pursuant to procedures established in Chapter 23.78, Establishment of Criteria for Joint Use or Reuse of Schools.

Due to the dispersion issue, a change to other institutional uses would require ACU review. When the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations applied to change use for the Southside Church of Christ, the review was about three months.

Sound Transit's next challenge, after the line opens July 18, is to forge a transportation and psychological bond between the stop on Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Way South and the bustle on Rainier. Otherwise, ridership will sag.

"It is a six-minute walk," said Shelley Morrison of the Columbia City Business Association. "I don't think anybody knows what people's patterns are going to be."

The rest of the article is here.

Do I understand the "Interpretation Memo" correctly that all new "institutions" (including neighborhood based non-profits) not listed in C1 require a Conditional Use Permit because they'd be within 600 feet of another "institution"? Does the city have a "dispersion" policy related to "institutions" in Lowirse Zoning that restricts too many institutions near other institutions?

Also, can you tell us how difficult it is for non-profits to get an administrative conditional use permit or for the Farmers Market to get an annual temporary use permit?

Send me an email: moc.liamg|ttennebcttocs#moc.liamg|ttennebcttocs

thanks,
Scott

Thanks for this background info. And for the shout-out to our blog. The link didn't work for me, alas, so here's it is, in case anyone else had trouble:

http://kiddewoodward.blogspot.com/2009/06/gimme-sign.html

Latest rumor I heard is they're going to put the Interagency high school program at Columbia (I believe Joanne was the one who predicted, this months ago). After all that! Ah well, maybe they were right to stonewall us so long, if they really were still considering whether to use it themselves for another school. It's just so hard not to read all kinds of behind-the-scenes machinations into the stubborn silence of a dysfunctional, beleaguered bureaucracy, isn't it?

And who knows — maybe that plan will fall apart, and it'll all open up again.

Sigh.

mik

So…. this means they *won't* have to go through a public process in order to repurpose the building?

(Is it petty for me to point out that it is *no* *longer* *Orca*?)

Thanks for posting this,

mik

(And in related Columbia School news, she also posted this great insight on her blog.)

First, full disclosure: I'm a land use planner at the City's Department of Planning and Development (DPD). I generally don't have any role in development proposals in South Seattle, but I work with the people who do.

This interpretation is meant to spell out how future tenants can use the school, independent of any DPD-administered public process.

Columbia School is located in a residential Lowrise 1 (L1) zone, which typically accommodates new townhomes and apartments, three stories tall. It also allows for institutions, which include schools and churches, among several other options.

Principal uses permitted outright are types of activities that are allowed to occur in this zone without any special process. In the case of former public schools, it's possible to allow other uses (retail, say) by convening a School Use Advisory Committee (SUAC). SUAC could expand the range of options available to the District and the community for this site. It involves process and public input, with all their potential merits and pitfalls: flexibility, creativity, responsiveness, opportunity, time & money, and uncertainty.

A classic example of a SUAC result is Wallingford Center, which contains a range of retail and community-centered uses.

It seems the District is looking to define its range of options independent of any SUAC review. That might be faster, but the options would be more limited and neighbors would have less access to influence the outcome.

Apparently the School District has asked the City's Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to interpret how it can use the eight buildings subject to recent school closures. That includes Columbia School, where the Orca K-8 program used to be, and where the New School has operated for the past couple years.

Here's the notice for DPD's interpretation.

And here's the interpretation itself.

Columbia School is located in a residential lowrise 1 zone, which is typically reserved for small apartment buildings and townhomes, as well as institutions (like churches and schools). Interpretations are meant to clarify how the Code applies to certain cases, so this spells it out for us.

Through a special public review process, it's possible to use old school buildings for many different things, including what's otherwise not possible in a residential zone. To allow those uses, the District would need to convene a School Use Advisory Committee (SUAC).

I wonder — that the District requested this interpretation makes me think they'd prefer not to start the SUAC process. Or maybe they're just mapping out their options.

When you do learn more, please educate us here, if that's okay. Health care affects all of us, at a very personal level, in the community, which is why I am interested in hearing your thoughts on this subject.

Thanks!

I am confident, however, that involvement in our community has positive effects. So, if anyone is so inclined, please bring your extra produce to my house on Friday, June 26th, so that I can take it all to the food bank on Saturday. My idea is that if 20 people bring one head of lettuce, or a pound of peas, or whatever you have that's ready to harvest, that's a better delivery than any one of us can give. I know it's early in the summer, so you might not have a lot, but anything is welcome.

Thanks - Terry

Now look how far they've come…

Hat tip to Monica at the Big Blog.

There are parties aplenty, and they're all happening tonight!

• There's the farmers market, pizza alla piazza, and Windermere's Night Out.
• The Cinema hosts a special documentary about biking.
• The library has a selection of summer events.
• The Gallery offers a couple calls to artists.
• It's not too late — plant a garden plot at Columbia School.
• Columbia Citizens experience a spate of burglaries.
• There's a new page about a meat buying club.
• In the blogossiphere,
  • There are designs for green buildings.
  • a photoshopped idea for Columbia School redevelopment
  • biker bunnies at Seward Park
  • accounts of end-of-school events
• In Citizen posts,
  • There's a tour of City chickens.
  • A local developer floats the idea of a small hotel.
  • a light rail safety video
  • a community picnic in Hillman City

There's all that and much more. Check it out!

• Check out this week's Wikli: http://ColumbiaCitizens.net/wikli:current — its content is now fixed.
• If you'd like to post to the next Wikli, that's here: http://ColumbiaCitizens.net/wikli

Enjoy,

S.

Feed your habit. This alert serves as an RSS feed, another way to get your Wikli fix.

* Fun bike culture panel talk between shows at 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Dave Hiller with Filmmaker Greg Fredette & special guests.
* Secure bike corral parking next door at Washington Federal Savings. $3 donation, open 5:30 - 11 p.m.
* Pre and post show happy hour libations and raffle at Lottie's Lounge (no host)

Veer explores America’s fast-growing bicycling culture by profiling five people whose lives are inextricably tied to bicycling and the bike-centric social groups they belong to. The film follows these characters over the course of a year, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their personal struggles and triumphs. Veer examines what it means to be part of a community, and how social movements are formed. The film is narrated by Mathew Modine, renowned actor and bicycle advocate.

These special shows benefit the Cascade Bicycle Club's Major Taylor Project. We thank the film makers for graciously reducing their commission to make this showing possible.

"As funky as a chrome-plated unicycle and as instructive as a Bike to Work Week seminar, this tasty slice of Pacific Northwest cycling culture should fascinate anyone who prefers life on two wheels… Portland director Greg Fredette obviously knows his audience well and packs this fascinating doc with enough bike politics, culture, anarchy, art and people-profiles to make it a must-see for anyone who cares about bikes and their ever-increasing place in our daily lives. But if you think cycling is just a trend that’ll pass as soon as gas prices drop (ha!), this probably isn’t the movie for you… then again, maybe it should be".

- Monday Magazine

"In this breakthrough doc by Portland residents Greg Fredette and Jason Turner, get ready for a wild ride through the growing underground bike culture of their hometown and America at large… the awesome world of Veer is nothing if not colorful at every turn. Grab your helmet. But be forewarned your old ten-speed is going to seem a little inadequate."

- Victoria Film Festival

“(Veer) has the perfect scale and polish for its subject…it's a frequently heartening portrait of what there is to love, and love deeply…”

- The Oregonian

“Veer gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the raw emotions, hard work, creativity, and silliness that defines bike culture. With minimal narration, the film expertly balances multiple storylines, allows characters to develop themselves, and succeeds in sharing a message that should resonate far beyond Portland.”

- Jonathan Maus, BikePortland.org

Regards,
Scott

Below is the agenda.

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 6:30 TO 8:30 PM
RAINIER COMMUNITY CENTER – 4600 38TH AVE S

AGENDA
Meeting called to order by Rob Mohn, President
Introductions – All (5 min)
Review and Approval of May Meeting Minutes- Greg A (5 min)
Report from the representative to the NPAC- Christie C (5 min)
Report from the representative to the CNC- Dick B (5 min)
Report from the Membership & Outreach Committee/New Member recommendation- Leslie M (5 min)
Report on Matching Fund and Street Fund projects- Christie C (10 min)
Pedestrian Master Plan- Jennifer Wieland, SDOT
o Overview- 10 min
o Q&A- 5 min
Planned Closure of the Hillman City's Department of License Office in Jan 2010- Allen Haight, Deputy Director of DOL & Myke Gable, Assistant Director of Facilities
o Overview of the closure plan- 10 min
o Q& A-10min
Audit of the District Council System- Mary Denzel & Virginia Garcia, City Auditor’s Office
o Findings and Recommendations- 20minutes
o Q & A – 20 minutes
Announcements- All (10 min)
Adjourn at 8:30 p.m.
Next meeting: Wednesday, September 23rd – 6:30 to 8:30 PM,
Rainier Community Center – 4600 38th Ave S

I am curious about the "Organizing for America" initiative linked to Obama's health care reform. How will our community benefit from the health care reform package that Obama has put forth? Do you know anything about this? Please educate.

Thanks.

My event is simple – those of us with gardens are starting to harvest some produce. If you have any extra vegetables or fruit, please bring it to my house on Friday, June 26th. I will load it all up and take it to the Rainier Valley Food Bank Saturday morning. I have contacted the food bank, and was told that fresh produce is greatly appreciated and will go quickly. Anything you can donate will be fantastic.

And if you don’t have a garden, but would still like to be a part of this National Health Care Day of Service, please feel free to donate other healthy food items. I feel strongly that the health of our community is tied to the foods we eat, and the willingness to help our neighbors.

If you plan to donate, please drop me a quick email so I know how much to expect.

My address is 4204 S Kenny St. It’s on the corner of 42nd Av and Kenny, right across from the Brighton Playfield. Donations can be left on my front porch if I’m not there.

Thanks very much!
-Terry

Theo N.

Instructors Troy Lucero, Maygen McGrew and Matt Meko will guide an all-levels hour and a half flow class on the playfield at Cal Anderson Park to raise awareness and funds for the equality movement. Steve Gold, Gina Salá and friends are accompanying.

StonewallForty is a series of events and experiences to inspire active community engagement and raise funds for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social justice, equality and civil rights movement. Our mission is to ensure that every person is safe and protected by law as individuals, couples, in businesses, schools and community.

For more information and to sign up in advance www.celebratestonewall.org/yoga

Saturday, June 27, gates-9am, flow-10am, concludes-12pm. $15 donation
Cal Anderson Playfield - 1635 11th Ave, Seattle, WA‎

I am hosting the second semi-annual women's clothing exchange this Sunday, 6/21, at 3pm. I would love to have any interested women join us for fun, frolic, and GREAT NEW CLOTHES!

The last time we got together, there were about 40 people, everyone left with fabulous clothing, and I still had 10 bags left over to donate!

You are welcome to invite any other women you know to attend. This is woman-only event, please no males, or kids under 14.

Please contact me for the address. I look forward to seeing you!

Roxanne

Yours,
Julie

ps - thanks for the help on getting us connected!

Coming up on Friday 6/19, our neighborhood Landmark District review committee will hear about a concept plan to build a 3-story hotel building. The site is on Edmunds St, between the Shirley Marvin apartments and the historic home at 3823 S Edmunds St. Right now it's a driveway. I think this is the project's first review.

3815 S Edmunds St
Presenters: Philip Christofides, Arellano Christofides
Briefing on proposed new construction of a three story long-term stay hotel located on the lot east of the Shirley Marvin apartment building.

Philip Christofides is a Columbia City architect (he and Margot Arellano designed the Columbia City Lofts two lots to the east, where they now have their offices). Rob Mohn is the owner/developer of several buildings in the district, including the lofts.

I'll be interested to learn more about this. It's an infill site, much smaller than the lofts, but I sense they'll pay attention to what design cues are right for that space. It seems like neighbors often ask around about lodging (where to put visiting parents?), so this seems like a good fit.

The agenda says they start at 4pm. They meet in the basement of the library.