As you recall, making Seattle a carbon neutral city was one of this year’s Council-adopted priorities. Staff throughout the city are working on evaluating policies and actions that Seattle will need to take to make this commitment a reality. In addition to the great internal work, a number of community groups have formed, met, and drafted recommendations for actions the city can take to meet this commitment.

I’ve reviewed drafts of many of these recommendations, and I am impressed with the thoughtfulness of these recommendations that are both grounded in reality and will challenge us to tackle bold issues. We are hosting a website for these efforts, which can provide helpful background on this effort here: http://carbonneutral.seattle.gov/community-ideas/.

Carbon neutrality is a big goal which will require everyone working together to achieve. I hope you will consider joining me at this event to hear ideas and recommendations.

Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Seattle City Council
Po Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

by KateK

The Genesee Area
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Rainier Valley Cultural Center | Lower Level
3515 South Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98118
(Rainier Ave. S & S Alaska St.)

The North Henderson Area
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Vietnamese Presbyterian Church
6721 51st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118

Seattle Public Utilities is working to improve the health of Lake Washington by reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs). During heavy rains, stormwater and sewage may overflow into the lake – causing a CSO. SPU has identified two locations for projects to reduce CSOs in your neighborhood. Construction is planned for 2012-2013 at these locations:

· The parking lot along Lake Washington Blvd. between 48th Ave. S. & 49th Ave. S. (property owned by Seattle Parks Department)
· The undeveloped open space at S. Alaska St. and 54th Ave. S. (property owned by Seattle Parks Department)

Please come to this meeting to hear more about the proposed projects. You can also send questions or comments to: Genesee Area CSO Reduction Project, 206-826-4767, vog.elttaeS|OSCG_UPS#vog.elttaeS|OSCG_UPS, www.seattle.gov/CSO/

We hope to see you at the meeting,
Kathy Robertson, PE
Seattle Public Utilities

by KateK

Jude and Darrell

by KateK

The Friends of Lewis Park is currently recruiting local organizations and community groups to join us for a Global Work Party on October 10th, 2010. A volunteer appreciation party afterwards will serve to build local community in the Beacon Hill area and promote local businesses, organizations and restaurants. It will be a time to meet neighbors, learn about our local ecosystem, and enjoy Beacon Hill’s unique culture and flavor! Our goal is to introduce neighbors to local resources and provide opportunities to become more involved in their community.

The Friends of Lewis Park is a small volunteer group of Beacon Hill neighbors dedicated to restoring the forest of north Beacon Hill. Working in Lewis Park, we lead volunteers in environmental restoration. Our projects primarily include removing non-native invasive plant species such as Himalayan Blackberry and English Holly, planting native trees and shrubs, mulching and mitigating soil erosion.

This special event on October 10, 2010 will serve as a platform to encourage our political leaders to act on global climate change. Launched by the international organization, 350.org, the Global Work Party will take place in Lewis Park on 10-10-10 from 10 AM until 2 PM. Our goal is to recruit 100 volunteers to the park to remove invasive species and plant native plants, followed by a volunteer appreciation party.

As a local organization, we would appreciate your presence at our event. The after party will be an opportunity for you to share a little about your organization. You may bring a table with flyers and handouts, make a presentation, or provide a demonstration. Be creative! Our volunteers will not only benefit from your knowledge and services, but your organization will gain valuable outreach time!

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you are interested in participating on October 10th, please contact Cadi Poile at moc.liamg|eliopidac#moc.liamg|eliopidac.

Sincerely,

Cadi Poile
203-240-5073
moc.liamg|eliopidac#moc.liamg|eliopidac

by KateK

Our lead skipper has left for vacation back in Italy, and while he's gone, we want to surprise him with fully loaded boats (we can carry about 50 boxes). We're reaching out to the local SCALLOPS communities for their help. For Sustainable South Seattle folks we're offering a $5 discount off their first order of organic vegetables and fruits; for each order, we'll add a small dolphin graphic to our website so people can see their group's contribution and watch the growth.

If folks in South Seattle are interested in trying us out and getting the discount, they just need to note "Sustainable South Seattle" in their order to moc.gnidartaeshsilas|ofni#moc.gnidartaeshsilas|ofni for either a small or large box.

Box prices
Small: $25 - with first-time discount, just $20
Large: $40 - with first-time discount, just $35

Delivery schedule at Aster Coffee Lounge in downtown Ballard, 10 AM -12 PM the following Sundays:

- Sunday, September 5 (place order by Monday, August 30)
- Sunday, September 19 (place order by Monday, September 13)
- Sunday, October 3 (place order by Monday, September 27)
- Sunday, October 17 (place order by Monday, October 11)
- Sunday, October 31 (place order by Monday, October 25)

Example of produce in our August 22 delivery boxes:

Small: arugula; bell peppers (green); chard (green); cucumber; endive (broadleaf); fennel; nectarines; radishes; salad mix; sorrel; spinach; string beans; and sugar snap peas.
Large: additional quantities of the small box goodness plus basil; beets, golden (with greens); cabbage (green); carrots (rainbow); fava beans; and red wheat flour.

by KateK

You are invited to an educational forum co-sponsored by the Friends of Atlantic City Nursery and Seattle Parks and Recreation Department on Urban Farming on Saturday, August 28th at the Pritchard Beach Bathhouse starting at 10:00 am.

When Mayor McGinn and the Seattle City Council declared this year to be the year of Urban Agriculture many residents in Seattle wondered what this meant and how they could participate in making this a reality. This forum will give you an opportunity to hear from some of those at the fore-front of urban farming in the Pacific Northwest region over the past decade. Please see more information below for more details.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, and please share this information with your friends co-workers and those you know have an interest in urban farming, or are thinking of starting their own vegetable garden in their backyard!

Sincerely,
Peter Masundire
Co-Chair, Friends of Atlantic City Nursery

Urban Farming 101
Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010
Time: 10:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Pritchard Beach Bathhouse, 8400 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Cost: Free- light refreshments will be served.

Speakers
Andrea Platt Dwyer, Executive Director, Seattle Tilth
Eddie Hill, Executive Director, Creative4Community
Jill Kuehler, Executive Director, Zenger Farm, Portland, OR.

Friends of Atlantic City Nursery - (206) 276 1472 - moc.liamg|ganabrubr#moc.liamg|ganabrubr

by KateK

Mentoring is a great way to give back and can be very rewarding. It is only a LITTLE time that can make a BIG difference in a life of a child in your community. Please let me know if you can volunteer.

Veronica Abraham
Community Recruitment Supervisor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound
1600 South Graham Street
Seattle, WA 98108
c: 206.458.0208
p: 206.763.9060
f: 206.763-8748
www.bbbsps.org

by KateK

The core idea of this project is transforming the existing horticulture buildings for productive and sustainable food-growing to provide healthy food for local food banks and school programs along with job training and youth education opportunities. Just as importantly, the project calls for restoring the acres of wetlands on the site and making them come alive again with native flora and fauna.

On June 30th, Parks showed they've been listening to the many community voices calling for this project when they unveiled a concept plan that includes both an urban farm utilizing the existing greenhouses and growing spaces and the restoration of the acres of Class IV wetlands at the 10-acre site.

The advocacy work isn't done yet; the Parks Board of Commissioners are holding a public hearing on Thursday August 12th at Parks HQ 100 Dexter Avenue N. - doors open at 6:00 pm for sign-up and the hearing begins at 7:00 pm. Please come down and show your support for this future gem of South Seattle.

If you can't attend the public hearing, you can still help make this idea bloom by sending your written testimony in support to the Commissioners (they read every comment).

Send your email to: Sandy Brooks at vog.elttaes|skoorb.ydnas#vog.elttaes|skoorb.ydnas or mail/deliver a message to:

Sandy Brooks
100 Dexter Avenue. N.
Seattle, WA 98109-5199

What should you say? In your own words, share that:

1. Converting the existing nursery to a neighborhood-appropriate urban farm is the best future use of the existing Atlantic City Nursery facilities.

2. Restoring the many wetlands areas at the Atlantic City Nursery as protected wildlife habitat with native plants is the right way to steward this major portion of our local ecosystem.

The deadline for written comments is September 2nd, a few days before the Parks Commissioners make their recommendation for the future of the Atlantic City Nursery to the Parks Superintendent - sending them in before August 6th will ensure they are part of the public hearing process.

Questions? Contact the Friends of Atlantic City Nursery at moc.liamg|ganabrubr#moc.liamg|ganabrubr.

by KateK

by KateK

by KateK

See you on Saturday!

Jude and Darrell

by KateK

Contacts: Suzanne Skadowski, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-6689,
vog.ape|ennazus.ikswodaks#vog.ape|ennazus.ikswodaks
Piper Peterson Lee, EPA Project Manager, 206-553-4951,
vog.ape|repip.eel-nosretep#vog.ape|repip.eel-nosretep

Terminal 117 Superfund site cleanup plan released for public comment

(Seattle – June 7, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is asking for public comments on a cleanup plan proposed for the
Terminal 117 Superfund site on the Duwamish River. Terminal 117 is
located in South Park between 14th Avenue South, Dallas Avenue South,
and South Donovan Street (see map). This “early action” cleanup will
remove river sediments and upland soils contaminated with toxic
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as part of EPA’s larger cleanup of the
Lower Duwamish Waterway. EPA will hear public comments on the cleanup
plan at a meeting on June 17th at the South Park Community Center. EPA
will accept written comments through July 7th.

The cleanup plan released today is part of a draft report called an
Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis. The cleanup plan brings
together years of sampling and analysis, interim cleanups, and community
engagement on Terminal 117. The draft cleanup plan includes two options
to remove the PCB-contaminated river sediments and upland soils. Both
cleanup options will remove soils contaminated with PCBs above the state
cleanup level from the Terminal 117 property and from some of the nearby
streets and yards. One cleanup option would remove most of the
contaminated sediment and put clean material over the contaminated
sediment left behind. The second option would remove all sediment
contaminated with PCBs above the state cleanup level.

The Port of Seattle and City of Seattle are conducting the contamination
study and cleanup under an EPA Superfund order. The Department of
Ecology provides review and input on the cleanup as part of their
efforts to control sources of contaminants to the river. The Duwamish
River Cleanup Coalition, the community advisory group for the Superfund
site, is providing independent technical review for the community. EPA
expects the cleanup will make the site available for many future
potential uses, including river habitat and public access, business and
residential development. After considering public comments, EPA will
decide on a final cleanup plan in a document called an Action
Memorandum. Public comments will be summarized and responses provided as
part of EPA’s decision. EPA expects the cleanup to begin in 2012 and
cost between $31 and $34 million.

Meeting and Comment Details:

Public Meeting: June 17th, South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave
South; open house at 5:30 pm, presentations at 6:00 pm, public comment
at 7:00 pm.

Send comments by July 7th by email: vog.ape|711lanimret01r#vog.ape|711lanimret01r or mail:
Terminal 117 Comments, EPA Region 10, 1200 6th Ave, Suite 900, ECL-111,
Seattle, Washington 98101.

The cleanup plan is on the Terminal 117 project web site: www.T117.com
and at the South Park Library, 8604 8th Ave S., Seattle.

by KateK

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn to visit proposed site for the Rainier Beach Urban Farm

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Location: Atlantic City Nursery
5513 S. Cloverdale St
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Come and Welcome the Mayor to our proposed Urban Farm! The Friends of Atlantic City Nursery would like to invite you and the community to come and welcome Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn as he tours our proposed site for the Rainier Beach Urban Farm at Atlantic City Nursery on Sat. May 15, at 11:30 am.

Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith will join him as part of the mayor's Rainier Beach Walking Tour arranged by the City's Department of Neighborhoods.

Here are the details of the visit:

1. Gate opens 11:00 a.m: Friends of Atlantic City Nursery members and supporters arrive; (please note that there is no parking on site, nearest parking is on Beer Sheva Park, south west of Atlantic City Nursery)
2. 11:30 a.m: Mayor arrives at the Atlantic City Nursery and talks with community members
3. 11:45 a.m: Tour of Atlantic City Nursery.
4. 12:15 p.m.Tour of the Atlantic City Nursery ends.

Please invite your families, friends and neighbors and friends and and join us as we show support for this unique opportunity for the Rainier Beach community to the lead the city in this Year of Urban Agriculture. Light food and refreshments will be served.
What is the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlants Project? Atlantic Street Nursery

Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands Project is a community led and community bred effort to establish an Urban Farm in the heart of the Rainier Beach Community at the former Atlantic City Nursery site located at 5513 South Cloverdale Street in Southeast Seattle. The Atlantic City Nursery is a former nursery ran by the City of Seattle's Parks & Recreation Department. The closing and relocation of the Park's operations, has created an opportunity for the neighborhood to help shape the future use of this park property.

The Friends of Atlantic City Nursery was formed out of community interest to create a local source of fresh produce, community gardening, economic development and training opportunity for area residents and youth. The RB Urban Farm % Wetlands Project will serve as an innovative effort to build community pride and preservation of the area wetlands and the environment.

Hosted by Friends of Atlantic City Nursery

Please forward this information to your contacts and community groups!

For more information, contact: Peter Masundire, Co-Chair at 206 321-5990 or email at: moc.nsm|1eridnusamp#moc.nsm|1eridnusamp

by KateK

See you on Saturday!

Jude and Darrell

by KateK

Where: Columbia Garden - 3528 S Ferdinand St, Columbia City, Seattle, 98118

When: Saturday, May 8th from 10am-2pm

South Shore School has been relocated and is back at its old home the Columbia School Building. Now it is time to get the lovely old children's garden back up and running, so that South Shore Students can get back to garden class. Come get your hands dirty and help your community on Saturday, May 8th for a Work Party and Rededication Ceremony at the Columbia Garden. We will take a tour of the site and then get to work to "save the garden". At noon we will pause for snacks and a rededication of the garden space. If interested and for more information, contact Maren Neldam: gro.htlitelttaes|madlenneram#gro.htlitelttaes|madlenneram

by KateK

【Walk day schedule for May 18th】
5:15 Assemble/Check in time @ Graham&Dunn Pier 70
5:30 Departure time
6:00-6:10 Short stop @ Mithun Pier 56
6:30-7:30 Reception—Social and Talk @ Feet first

*For whom who are not able to participate the walking are also welcome to join the reception that starts at 6:30 at Feet first. *

by KateK

This is the second of 3 meetings. At this meeting, we will compare several designs.

Tuesday, April 20 6:00 - 8:00 PM
South Shore School
4800 S. Henderson St.

Food and childcare will be provided.
Translation services available - please request by April 13.

Questions? Sharon Lerman (206) 619-5196 or gro.htlitelttaes|namrelnorahs#gro.htlitelttaes|namrelnorahs
or Emily Fuller (206) 684-7047 or vog.elttaes|relluf.ylime#vog.elttaes|relluf.ylime

Meeting #3: Review preferred plan
Tuesday, May 18, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

by KateK

As usual, tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided. We will meet for coffee at 8:30 AM at the trail head (hairpin turn at 68th Ave. S. and Holyoke Ave.) Work begins promptly at 9:00 and lasts until 1:00 PM. Call Jude or Darrell at (206) 772-1452 for information or directions.

by KateK

Dear Seattle’s food-activists, writers, news reporters, and supportive city officials,

Thank you to all you passionate people working on food related -policies, programs, and issues. Thank you for your time and energy towards the many great farmers markets, restaurants, garden/farmer support, and the local food movement in general.

Spring into Bed (http://springintobed.org/) is a grass-roots garden building effort and evening celebration to:

• Support the effort to build our city’s food infrastructure- we want to add acres in small plots.

• Support people of low income’s ability to grow good, healthy, and super-local food.

• Connect people, organizations, and businesses (to get things done in over the long-term)

Spring into Bed is a “Fun-Run” about supporting at minimum 10 gardeners with low incomes build gardens. However, rather than raising money for cancer research, we are working to prevent cancer — caused by poor food access — in the first place.

For anyone who is fond of the work of Will Allen — “ Stop talking and do something within 3 months” — there is an event this Spring that requests your support . On May 8th organizations in Portland and Olympia are both building 10 gardens on the day so Seattle can at least match that, right?

This is an opportunity for direction action — captains are needed who will help fund-raise and help build the gardens the day of the event. $1000 will build a set of 3 raised beds and help another 3 get built in the future. Seattle Tilth is serving as fiscal sponsor, so all donations are tax deductable (just ask your accountant). So far The Garden Project and Cascadian Edible Landscapes have stepped up to be captains. For anyone considering being a captain, throwing a couple of parties or asking friends, families, or neighbors to support the cause goes a long way.

Mayor McGinn thanks for your donation of seeds towards the event and for supporting a food bank garden on city hall. Council President Conlin- Thank you for working on the Local Food Action Initiative and thank you for (helping ) declare 2010 Year of Urban Agriculture. I’d like to invite you, your offices, and friends to captain a Food Justice garden bed. Additionally, it would be really helpful if you could help secure a donation of minimum 30 yards of Cedar Grove Compost and up to 150 cubic yards; we’ll have to collectively figure out where to store it.

If championing the cause is not your thing, you can still commit to contributing to local-food security on your own or with your neighbors. Choose your adventure and be sure to report how many square feet you build on May 8th and then come to the PARTY! www.Springintobed.org

Happy Planting and See you on May 8th,

Michael Seliga - Cascadian Edible Landscapes- www.eatyouryard.com

Supporter- www.springintobed.org

by KateK

The idea of Seattle as North America's first Carbon Neutral city has gone viral, prompting discussion in the news, on blogs, and among Seattle's civic leaders. Huge, complex questions remain: what would a carbon neutral Seattle look like? How would it be defined? And of course, what are we doing as a city - and what could we be doing - right now to make this vision a reality?

You are invited to an unconference on Saturday, April 3rd, together with some of the best minds in Seattle to tackle these questions. Please join us in asking big questions, and educating and inspiring you peers about your contributions to a sustainable future.

We expect it will be a day of exhilarating conversations. The format is an unconference: in addition to curated sessions on specific topics, we'll open up spaces where you can bring forward ideas, run a small panel, or host a discussion, creating unanticipated conversations and sparking innovative new ideas. We will begin at 9:00 am with an introduction from Worldchanging's Alex Steffen, before launching into the day's events. Mayor Mike McGinn will deliver a lunchtime talk on the city's transportation future.

Space is limited, and first-come-first-served, so please RSVP early if you plan to attend.

RSVP by email also possible: moc.liamg|elttaeslartuen2OC#moc.liamg|elttaeslartuen2OC

by KateK