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.

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

Please post any recommendations

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.

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.

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.

Now look how far they've come…

Hat tip to Monica at the Big Blog.

* 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

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

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

I'm hosting a fundraising garage sale on Saturday June 27th. All proceeds go towards Habitat for Humanity - my husband and I are building in Thailand in December.

If you have items that you no longer need and you feel like they would fetch a little money at a garage sale, I'd love to talk with you. I can pick up near to my neighborhood, or drop-offs are extremely welcome. I can see about getting you a tax receipt for the donation if you are interested in that.

Thank you!
Libby

We are hoping to operate some of the long-standing school gardens at the school sites that are closing this June. This is a trial program, and this opportunity will be available only during the 2009 summer growing season. We are starting with the Columbia School school-garden.

Our intention is to recognize well-established school gardens as valuable resources to produce healthy food in these challenging economic times.

Garden plots will be offered for rent to community members from Sunday, June 21 through October 31, 2009. We realize this is a late-start for gardening, but we do not want to conflict with the schools’ use of the garden through the end of the school year.

There are several raised beds available — approximately 4 feet x 9 feet, and we may create some various-sized in-ground plots.

This is NOT a city-operated P-Patch, although the operating and use rules will be similar. The cost of a plot 4’ x 9’ plot will be $5.00 with a non-refundable $15 application fee.

Participants will be required to participate in at least one garden-wide cleanup during the season.

For further information please contact Gretchen DeDecker, Self Help Projects Coordinator, 206.252.0637.

As part of it we are also doing a Bike to Baseball Day. If you buy your tickets here, mariners.com/bicycle, and pledge to ride your bike to the game you can get your tickets for half off.

Have fun riding and I hope you join me in riding as part of Columbia City this summer.

Cheers,
Serena

Mónica Guzmán
seattlepi.com

Commission paid as % of rental fees.

Any referrals are appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

There are many neighbors out there who know about this, so really I'm the wrong guy to post about it. Does anyone else have experience with this they'd like to share?

Julia Levitt recently posted about this at WorldChanging. It's a great read — here's the neighborhood bit.

I recently had the pleasure of joining the Rainier Valley Community Kitchen, which recently started here in Seattle. The neighborhood-based group meets monthly to cook a variety of freezer-friendly dishes in massive quantities, so that participants, who pay $25 apiece (if they can) to attend, each take home four- to five-person servings of each dish. This particular community kitchen is sponsored by Seattle-based co-op PCC, which allows kitchen organizers to purchase ingredients for their menus from the market at cost.

About a dozen of us met in the commercial-sized kitchen at the Rainier Valley Community Center. The menu for the month had been planned in advance: Thai coconut curry soup, vegetarian risotto, potato-cheese croquettes and vegetarian minestrone soup. Sacks of vegetables spilled onto the counters amid bulk tubs of cheese and spices and massive cans of coconut milk. We divided into teams around each recipe and set to work chopping, peeling, sautéing and boiling. Even in a big kitchen, that many people working at once creates a kind of friendly mayhem, and of course there were spills, misplaced tools, and corresponding solutions improvised at the last minute. Still, by the time two hours had passed, the finished products tasted good, the kitchen was clean, and we had more than enough for each of us to fill a shopping bag to the brim with steaming containers to carry home.

read more...

The next one is July 9.

…All you folks on the west side of Rainier (and I guess all of CC)…what's the word on getting a neighborhood watch going? Do we already have one? If not, anyone know how to get the ball rolling? I can't imagine the current crime rate getting any better this summer…after today, it seems like now is especially a good time to get organized.

There are only two more weekends to see this terrific show! Shows are 7 p.m. on
Friday evenings and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.There will be tickets at the door.

When - June 5th– June 21st Friday evenings at 7pm Saturday/Sundays at 2pm

Where -Rainier Valley Cultural Center 3515 S. Alaska, Seattle 98118 (in Columbia
City)

How much - Generally $6/kids $12/adults but all performances are Pay-what-you-can.

Tickets are available at the door or through www.brownpapertickets.com

For more info please go to our website - www.anythingispossibletheatre.org
or call 206-760-1336

Description
"It's a Whatchamadoozie with a Whaddayacallit with a Thingamajigit on Top!" is set
in Tremble Town where everyone is paralyzed by fear. When a suspicious glow is
spotted in the sky and and an ominous musical note permeates the air, the Mayor
orders all of the children inside for the summer. It takes Lucy Margaret and her
plucky pals Cecil and Gracie to save the day by transforming fear into wonder and
fiction into fact!

From the Times' weekend calendar:

USA National Netball Championships

SAT-SUN National Championships of Netball, a derivative of basketball, Saturday-Sunday, Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. S., Seattle; free (www.seattlenetball.com).

You can follow the NFMA and its seven markets on twitter: www.twitter.com/NFMAseattle

Clothing, toys,books, household items, outdoor & sporting gear,
Furniture and more!

Bazaar will feature hand crafted items by local artists including:

*Original, Museum Quality linoleum block prints by local artist Emily Nagel
*Casual and Fancy Dresses for girls, tweens, and teens by TittaMe (www.etsy.com)
*Hand painted shoes, jewelry, & signed prints from upcoming children’s book Killer Whale Eyes by Sondra Segundo- NW Coast Native Haida Artist
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.haidashoes.com
*Handmade, Heirloom Quality Cabled Slouch Berets by local mom Kristin Wood
*Handmade flip flops and matching hair bows for Moms and Girls by Karina Sequinot
*Art from Orca Middle School Students

BBQ and Bake Sale also on site!

Come hungry with a full wallet to Support our PTSA!
*Accepting donations of goods Friday, 6/12 from 3:30-7:30pm.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!

Tipsy turvy view of the neighborhood — who knew we had so many steep sidewalks & crooked buildings?

The job i have is great but unreliable hours, leaving me home with many spare afternoons. I am willing to anything from babysitting to pulling weeds. Need extra help cleaning before a party or painting. I am up to help in anyway.

Weekday jobs would be most desired, but would be willing to do weekends. Pay i would be willing to talk about, figure out what is best for that situation.

If your interested or have any question, wondering more about me send me an email the.don.rafael@ gmail.com

(hat tip to Columbia City happenings)

Robbery
Robbery is the taking of property from an individual by the use of force, the implied use of force, or threat of harm. Throughout Seattle, we have reports of individuals being assaulted and robbed of cell phones, I-Pods, purses and their contents, and other items. There is no one group of people, location, or time of day that is more prone to robbery. It could happen to any one, any time, any where.

What You Can Do About Robbery
We advise anyone who is out and about to pay attention to the present moment and to his or her surroundings, and employ basic personal safety measures. Here are a few other Personal Safety reminders.

Safety On The Street
• Walk with a purpose; project an assertive, business-like image.
• Use common sense; plan your route to avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages and alleyways; stick to well lit areas.
• Develop a plan before you see trouble. Crossing a street or entering a store may get you out of a potentially bad situation.
• If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach it; instead, turn and quickly walk in the opposite direction.
• Watch your body space; don’t let people get too close, even if they appear to have a reason, like asking for the time, change, etc.
• Wear clothing and shoes that you can move freely and quickly in, especially when walking or waiting for the bus.
Minimize What Can Be Lost
• Carry only what you actually need. Carry only small amounts of cash and only the credit cards you actually plan to use. Leave expensive jewelry at home.
• Try not to carry anything that is irreplaceable or of sentimental value. Losing family photos, address books, and important papers is usually more traumatic to victims than the actual financial loss.
Carrying Valuables Safely:
• Handbags should be closed, carried in front of the body with an arm held loosely across it. A bag dangling by your side is much easier for a thief to grab. If wearing a handbag with a strap over the head, wear it under your coat. This makes it harder for the robber to grab the strap.
• Don’t carry a handbag unless you actually need to. Place essentials (keys, small amount of cash, I.D.) in a pocket.
• Since your address is usually on a card or document in your bag, avoid carrying your house keys in the same place. Instead, carry keys in a pocket.
• If you must carry a large amount of cash or valuable items, do not carry them in your handbag or wallet. Carry valuables in an inside pocket.
If You Are Confronted
• If someone demands your property and displays or implies in any way that they have a weapon, don’t resist. There is no property more important than your health and safety. You are more important than your “stuff.” You can always get more stuff; you cannot get another you.
REPORT IT!!
• Report all robberies to police as soon as possible by calling 911. Police need the most descriptive and specific information a victim or witness can provide to locate the perpetrator of a crime: approximate height, weight, build, skin color, hair color, eye color, clothing (type, color, fit (loose/baggy or tight) - including shoes and headwear, and direction of travel. If you or someone you know is a survivor of any crime, please share your information with police.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!

Captain Les Liggins, South Precinct Commander Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Email me at rachelbianchi AT gmail DOT com if you would like them.

900-lumen LED mini flashlight (brighter than car headlights) —
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.22567

Bear pepper spray

Local used gun sales —
Ben's Loan Inc.
1005 S 2nd St, Renton - (425) 255-3638

Guns and ammo —
http://www.jgsales.com

Local shooting ranges —
http://www.wheretoshoot.org/Find_Range/index.asp

ADT home security systems (the best service and price)
http://www.adt.com

Glass break sensors (general info)

Glass break sensors (how they work) —
http://www.homesecurityinformation.com/about-glass-break-sensors.htm

When using glass break sensors, make sure to test them to calibrate them for sensitivity (coffee can and keys works best), and also buy small-diameter white PVC pipe and cut it so it fits inside your window frames, which forces anyone who wants to come through the window to break the glass.

If you are a parent, teacher, or student who is interested in learning more, please contact Rainier Valley Rowing at online at www.RainierValleyRowing.org or call: (206) 434-9971.

No swimming or boating experience necessary. Lifejackets and experienced coaches provided. Bring the whole family and learn more about opportunities for everyone at your local boathouse.

The Mount Baker Boathouse provides rowing, sailing and windsurfing classes to South Seattle. Rainier Valley Rowing provides rowing instruction, swimming lessons, and mentorship to Rainier Valley teens. Scholarships are available. Come down June 6 and find out more!

Questions about MB boathouse? Call: (206) 386-1913
Questions about Rainier Valley Rowing? Call: (206) 434-9971

Here are the specifics on the benefit concert at Columbia Lakewood Community Church:

Location: Columbia Lakewood Community Church, 5005 South Ferdinand Street
Time: 5:00 pm start (concert time approximately 2 hours with intermission midway through)
Suggested Minimum Donation: $5 per person (larger donations gratefully accepted) cash or check only please
Artists performing: The Called; Triiiune, Shu-Jen Chen and others
Bake sale will be held during intermission

Proceeds of this concert go to support the ministry of the Columbia Lakewood Community Church including support for local food banks, the Union Gospel Mission, our church children's program and international mission outreach.

If you have questions please contact Pastor Jeff Barker at 206-723-9272 or e-mail at moc.nsm|2rekrabj#moc.nsm|2rekrabj

Windermere Mount Baker and Columbia City merchants are getting together to raise funds for Southeast Seattle kids and families!

On Wednesday, June 24 from 5pm to 9pm, follow the Windermere Open House signs to Columbia City! Participating merchants have agreed to donate a portion of the evening's proceeds to The Windermere Foundation, with the funds earmarked for use in our Southeast Seattle neighborhoods.

There will also be a SILENT AUCTION at the Columbia City Theater, with live music from Freddie Mac and the Bad Assets. See an updated list of auction items at the Windermere KidsCause blog.

Mercedes Nicole with Cocoa Martini will be playing at Kallaloo Restaurant (3820 S. Ferdinand).

Go to the KidsCause blog for more information.

So, come out and eat, drink, shop, listen to some great music… and give to your community at the same time!

Lottie's Lounge
4900 Rainier Ave S., SE corner of Ferdinand
Open 10 AM-Midnight

Come have a coffee, a drink, maybe a small plate or two and Lottie's Lounge is generously donating
25% of all sales on June 18th to Country Doctor Community Health Centers.
http://www.countrydoctor.org/

Won't you join us in raising a glass of cheer, a bite of baked brie to benefit Country Doctor ?

Another broken into on 5/20 around the corner on 37th

Would make for an interesting entrance to Columbia City as one rides north on Link.

Any details on how far down the pipeline this project is?

Please join us at the Center for a wonderful evening with David as he traces the history of agriculture around the world and teaches us the importance of caring for and preserving the world's limited supply of soil. This event is free and open to the public and includes a catered reception, an author led talk about the book, and a signing with the author.

For more information about David and his work please read this article: http://duff.ess.washington.edu/grg/publications/pdfs/Dirt_review.pdf

Enjoy heaps of birdy activities, games, arts, and crafts - all in honor of the migrating birds that pass through Seattle on their way north! Activities include: bird walks, migration games, bird banding demos, bird wood carvings, an Eagle Watch table, bird boxes & feeders, and a whole lot more!!

Walks leave on the hour, every hour, from 10am - 2pm.

Bird Banding demos are done by Seattle Audubon's BirdWatch program from 9am - 12pm.

If you've walked past Juneau and 46th recently you've probably noticed the big sign announcing a new park. Wondering what kind of park will be going in? You get to choose! Join us Wednesday, June 17th, at 7:00 pm to give your input about what kind of park you'd like as well as to meet those involved in the process. Want a playground for kids? A p-patch? A sculpture garden? A windmill? A frog pond? This is a great opportunity to make sure the park meets the needs of our community. We want to hear from you!

Jim Diers, who used to head the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, will preside, along with John Barker, who, as a landscape architect, was instrumental in the development of Bradner Gardens, Magnussen Garden, Meridian Playground, and other fun public spaces. We'll start a process that we hope and expect will culminate in a really neat park. We'll meet for about 1 1/2 hours and then we'll mingle and enjoy great food!

Make sure to RSVP so we know how much food to order. To RSVP or for more information, contact Nikola Davidson at moc.liamg|nosdivad.alokin#moc.liamg|nosdivad.alokin or 206.948.5326.

For more information, go to www.juneaustreetcommunity.net

What: Juneau Street Park Neighborhood Meeting

When: Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 pm

Where: Location to be determined, check back for details

Free food and refreshments! RSVP to moc.liamg|nosdivad.alokin#moc.liamg|nosdivad.alokin or 206.948.5326

Nice design!

http://www.cafepress.com/beatwalk

The Summer Session will have 4 late afternoon-evening sessions available. (Morning sessions will resume during the Fall session). Participants attend 4x a week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at the following times:

Group 1: 4-5:15 PM (3 spots open)

Group 2: 5:15-6:30 PM (2 spots open)

Group 3: 6:30-7:45 PM (Filled - no opening (wait list available))

Group 4: 7:45-9:00 PM (1 opening)

Sessions are semi-private (no more than 4 persons per class). Each class is 1 hr and 15 minutes in length and participants commit to coming 4 days a week. Sessions are a combination of martial arts fitness, strength, resistance, agility training, circuit training, power vinyasa yoga and nutritional and lifestyle support. No workout is the same. Price is $450 + tax ($9 per session hour).

Price includes bag gloves & studio t-shirt.

Summer Session Incentive Prizes:

Perfect attendance = Bodies In Balance Seattle Gym Bag

Highest percentage of weight, inch &/or body fat loss = $100 gift card to Whole Foods

Greatest fitness improvement = Yoga Mat + Set of Resistance Bands

Register with a friend and save 10% on any semi-private class session!

Reserve your spot today for Summer Session — with just a $50 Deposit!!!

(Deposits are non-refundable and will be applied towards the cost of the session).

..I'm not sure if there's a high demand for these suckers (and not that there's really that many found tropical birds in Columbia City), but if it's yours, you need to prove it. Give me an email with some details about this little guy (color, size, etc).

moc.liamg|cirenmac#moc.liamg|cirenmac