By Tyler Roush
The Voice editor
Residents of South Park gathered the evening of June 30 for a wake of a very different sort. It wasn’t a beloved community member or local leader whose passing they mourned — it was their bridge.
The South Park Bridge, in such a state of disrepair that its continued use was deemed a threat to public safety, closed at the end of last month.
King County, which owns the bridge, had budgeted operational funds for the drawbridge only through June 30. So at 7 p.m. that evening, the two leaves that comprise the bridge were permanently locked upright.
For its part, the neighborhood gave the bridge a fitting tribute, sending it off with bagpipe and New Orleans jazz band processionals, Latin dance and street theatre performances.
“Tonight’s wake is an opportunity for the community’s resilience to be shown,” said Dagmar Cronn, president of the South Park Neighborhood Association, a few hours before the wake. “This is a sad day and a sad occasion, but we’re also creating a chance to celebrate community.
“We’ll probably have a tear coming out of one eye, and laughter out the other side,” she added.
With the closure now final, local officials are moving to raise the remaining funds needed for a replacement bridge and South Park residents and business owners look for ways to ensure the neighborhood will survive the wait.
A link to downtown Seattle severed
In the short term, the resounding opinion is that South Park and the surrounding area will suffer some without the South Park Bridge, which was a vital transportation link between downtown Seattle and the neighborhoods south of the Duwamish River — each day about 20,000 cars and trucks crossed it. It also linked South Park with a major industrial area immediately to the north, including Boeing Field. Many South Park residents relied on the bridge as part of their daily commute.
“I use the bridge a lot — every day,” said South Park resident Alma Rivera. “Fifteen minutes, I’m at my job. If it’s the weekend, seven minutes I’m at my job. So now I have to figure out how early I’m going to get up.”
Much of that traffic will now be rerouted along the First Avenue South Bridge, which will compound congestion along that span.
The closure impacts the 60, 131 and 134 Metro transit routes, which had previously crossed the South Park Bridge. All three will be rerouted over the First Avenue South Bridge, and Metro has cautioned riders to anticipate increased travel times. (For more information about the route changes, including detailed maps, visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov and search “South Park Bridge.”)
A handful of properties in the Seattle Housing and King County Housing portfolios will likely be affected by the closure. South Park Manor, an SSHP building, is located in the neighborhood, and is served by Metro buses that would have crossed the South Park Bridge.
Residents traveling via car or bus from Seattle Housing buildings such as Westwood Heights and Wisteria Court in West Seattle will likely see increased travel times on the First Avenue South Bridge. The same is true for residents of Greenbridge, a King County Housing Authority neighborhood in White Center.
To prepare residents for the impending closure, Rivera and other community members took to the streets with a doorbelling campaign. Because South Park is an ethnically diverse neighborhood where many of its residents speak English as a second language, outreach to underserved communities within South Park was essential.
Rivera found that many members of South Park’s Spanish-speaking community were either unaware or had misconceptions about the bridge closure.
“When I was doing these surveys, a lot of people didn’t know they were going to close the bridge,” Rivera said. “I found out that a lot of people didn’t have access … no message going out to them.”
A prevailing concern is that reduced traffic through South Park will hurt small businesses, some of which could be shuttered due to lost revenue.
“The neighborhood’s not going to fare well, we knew, once June 30 came around,” Cronn said. “We know it’s not going to be good. There are all of the different kinds of traffic across the bridge that will have to find different routes.”
The most likely routes — across the First Avenue South Bridge, or on I-5 — more or less bypass the neighborhood completely.
Still, Cronn said King County and the City of Seattle have done what they can to mitigate the problem. The State Department of Transportation installed a traffic light at the intersection of First Avenue South and Cloverdale Street, now the primary route into and out of South Park. And the City of Seattle made paving improvements to the Fifth Avenue South and Kenyon Street arterial, which links to West Marginal Way and First Avenue South Bridge.
Cronn also praised Metro for its work in finding new bus routes that appealed to the community.
Consultants have been brought to the neighborhood to help business owners sustain themselves through the years of probable lost revenue.
If there’s reason for optimism, one might note that funds for a new South Park Bridge have been accumulating in the past few months. Already about $80 million in city, county and state funds have been pledged for the replacement, of an estimated $130 million needed to build a new bridge.
Another $30-$40 million could come in the form of a federal TIGER-2 grant, which King County has said it will apply for.
Though a new bridge is at least two or three years away, some residents see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I’m glad that whatever we have been doing, it’s not in vain — something good will come out of it,” Rivera said. “There is some hope.”
By Michele Mosher
Seattle Housing Authority
Through the fall of 2011, travelers heading westbound from the SODO district to West Seattle will be detoured due to the demolition of the First Avenue South onramp.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) demolished the on-ramp as part of the construction improvements for the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening project. The project is partly funded by the Bridging the Gap levy approved in 2006, which increased funds available for SDOT projects by $365 million.
The upper roadway, South Spokane Street, will be widened by 41 feet to the north between Sixth Avenue South and East Marginal Way. A new combined westbound ramp for First Avenue South will be constructed to allow for a smoother entry and exit point from the upper roadway.
Drivers heading out of the SODO district heading west have a few options. There is the detour on First Avenue South to South Hanford Street and Alaskan Way, which leads to the lower level bridge.
Motorists can drive the scenic route along the waterfront on Alaskan Way South to the lower bridge. To avoid the detour, drivers can continue heading south across the First Avenue South Bridge and take either the Highland Park Way or the Myers Way/White Center exits to West Seattle.
Another option is State Route 99 via the viaduct to the upper West Seattle bridge. All options might have some delays and congestion, especially during peak weekday afternoon travel time between 3 and 7 p.m. or after a Seattle Mariners or Seahawk game.
To ease drivers’ frustrations, SDOT has various ways of alerting the public of closures and detours. The SDOT South Spokane Street Project website at www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreet.htm includes information on the project, detour maps and progress bulletins. A Travelers Information Map with live traffic congestion information can be viewed at http://web5.seattle.gov/travelers.
Electronic messaging signs at Fourth Avenue and Spokane Street and at Terminal 5 will also display the lower level bridge closures.
SDOT is also using Twitter to communicate about the lower bridge closures during peak weekday afternoon travel time.
“There are about 1,200 followers of the SDOT Twitter account, with the biggest surge of sign-ups following our spring 2010 public outreach regarding the closure of the old First Avenue South on-ramp,” said Leanne Nelson, SDOT Project Communications Manager for Capital Projects and Roadway Structures. “Traffic is moving as well as can be expected, with our focus on empowering travelers with information to choose alternative routes.”
You can follow SDOT’s Twitter page at http://twitter.com/seattledot.
Bus routes have also been affected by the closure. Traveling southbound toward West Seattle, Metro routes 21, 22, 35, 56, 57, 85, 116, 118 and 119 will be re-routed for the duration of the construction project. Northbound routes will not be affected.
Metro advises riders traveling southbound on these routes to allow for increased trip times, particularly during peak afternoon hours.
For more information about how the construction project will affect bus service, visit Metro’s project page at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/rr/spokanestreet.html.
By Public Health – Seattle & King County
The risk of drowning is a concern this weekend and into early summer as weather warms and the local swim season begins. Local lakes are cold and dangerously deep, and rivers are running swift and cold.
“Our local lakes and rivers may look inviting in the warming weather, but this is also the riskiest time to swim, tube, or raft in local lakes and rivers because of the cold and rapid waters,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County.
Preventable and tragic deaths happen every year in local waterways. In 2009, King County lost 16 adults over 18 years of age to unintentional drowning, 10 of which took place in open water, such as rivers, lakes, ponds or Puget Sound. Most drowning deaths occurred in the earlier part of swim season. In 2008, there were 100 drowning deaths statewide.
A positive development is that no children have drowned in two years by unintentional or non-traffic related causes. Drowning prevention activities and policies have contributed to this success, and local and state officials are building on these efforts to help communities and families prevent future tragedies.
Keys to drowning prevention
• Know the water — Washington waters are cold enough to cause hypothermia even on the hottest summer day; hypothermia may weaken even the strongest swimmer.
• Know your limits — drowning often happens when a person tires while swimming or a novice swimmer tries to keep up with friends who are stronger swimmers.
• Learn to swim, and choose lifeguarded areas. Wear a life jacket while swimming anywhere without lifeguards. Avoid swimming at local beaches until lifeguards go on duty, usually in mid-June. Until lifeguards go on duty, use indoor pools.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or using other drugs while swimming, boating, tubing, or rafting.
• Watch children closely when they are in or near any type of water; stay close enough to reach them immediately.
Drowning prevention activities and policies make a difference
• In recent years, members of the Statewide Drowning Prevention Network, cochaired by Seattle Children’s Hospital and Public Health – Seattle & King County, have stepped up education, enforcement and safety efforts in swimming environments.
• Similarly, the King County Child Death Review (CDR) Committee has continued to examine child deaths locally and look at factors that led to the deaths and how to prevent future incidents.
• It has been two years since anyone has drowned in a Public Health – Seattle & King County inspected facility, including pools, spas, wading pools and water parks. The last drowning death of a child in a Public Health regulated facility was in June 2006.
• Children and adults used to regularly drown in the Lake Washington Ship Canal. In 1999, a City of Seattle ordinance banned swimming in the ship canal. There have been no child drowning deaths in the ship canal for 11 years.
• Children used to regularly drown while falling from or capsizing in small boats. In 1999, then-Governor Gary Locke signed a state law requiring child life jacket use while boating, which has contributed to reduced drownings.
• State and local health codes require drowning prevention provisions for regulated pools, spas and water parks. These include requirements for barriers or fencing, lifeguards, CPR and First Aid, and operation manuals. Drowning deaths involving children have declined significantly in these venues, especially since the late 1980s.
For more information on water safety and drowning prevention, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/injury.
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.9 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day. More online at www.kingcounty.gov/health.
By Martin Qualters
SHA Resident
Why is that so many of us Americans say “Fourth of July” instead of Independence Day? Is it because some do not want to remind us of the revolutionary past, when the colonists, living under the government of the King of England, said enough is enough, and actually did something about their living conditions? What are we actually celebrating?
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, resulting from the success of the revolution against the English King (and the pernicious East India Company) are remarkable documents in many ways, but were limited especially in relation to women and slaves (reflecting the existing English cultural, religious, and economic values).
Let’s look at the Preamble to the Constitution: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal…” But some were more equal than others. It is interesting to note that, in the Constitution, women and slaves were given short shrift and corporations were not even mentioned, but look at the relative power now!
It seems that almost daily that the Constitution is being eviscerated by the ineptness or corruption of Congress, the failure of the Executive Branch, beginning with Reagan, and the active participation of the John Roberts Supreme Court.
The list of failures of Congressional oversight and Executive branch inaction is long, e.g. in the areas of food safety, water, chemicals, mining, transportation, labor relations, pensions, financial regulation, climate change, health insurance, war profiteering, just to mention some. Even Public Broadcasting has corporate sponsors.
We blame Congress, the President and the Supreme Court, but who is paying the lobbyists’ salaries? We also blame the mainstream media, but who owns the media?
Remember, corruption has at least two parties, the one who gives the money and the one who receives the money. Too often we hear only about the politician who receives. We need to put our attention on the giver, the corporation or industry.
We have had the catastrophic failure of unregulated capitalism, yet here is Congress and the President trying to patch up a system that failed in so many ways for the poor and the middle class. Why aren’t we talking about another system, one that actually provides for the “general welfare” of all its citizens?
We need to limit corporate power soon, or else corporate greed will delay action on climate change until it is too late, too late for a decent life for the next generation.
The current system is failing us. How long are we going to put up with it? How long before we say “Enough is enough?” Is it time for another American Revolution? Let’s have a true government of the people, by the people and for the people now!
Let’s have a real Independence Day.
By Pamela Wilcox
SHA Resident
Plastic bags clutter landfills, flap from trees, float in the breeze, clog roadside drains, drift on the high seas, and are a threat to wildlife — so says a report on National Geographic’s Web site. But most anyone is aware that plastic bags are a potential threat to the environment.
According to a 2001 estimate by the Environmental Protection Agency, between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.
Of those bags, millions upon millions end up in the litter stream outside of landfills. As they deteriorate, toxins seep into soils, lakes, rivers and oceans.
The widespread use of the plastic bag has meant a dramatic increase in the amount of plastics found floating in the world’s oceans, where they choke, strangle and starve wildlife, according to Davis Barnes, a marine scientist who studies the impacts of marine debris at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, England.
According to Barnes, plastic bags were once scarce in marine environments but can now be found all over the world’s oceans between 78° North and 51° South. He estimated that they will soon be washing
up in Antartica, the southernmost shores of the globe.
Plastic takes up to 1,000 years to decompose. And plastic production has increased exponentially since 1960, when almost 6.3 billion pounds of plastic was produced in the United States, according to www.cleangreenbags.com. By the 1970s, that figure had tripled; in 1988, about 50 billion pounds of plastic were produced.
Plastic never decomposes fully — over time it simply breaks down into smaller pieces. Plastic remains forever in landfills, oceans, rivers and other waterways, leaching toxins into the environment and posing a threat to animals who mistake it for food.
Plastic bag litter has become such an environmental nuisance and an eyesore that countries such as Ireland, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia and Bangladesh have heavily taxed the bags or banned them outright. Several other places, including England and some U.S. cities, are considering similar measures.
Tony Lowes, director of Friends of the Irish Environment in County Cork, said that a 15-cent tax (about 20 cents U.S.) on plastic bags introduced in March 2002 has resulted in a 95 percent reduction in their use.
“It has been an extraordinary success,” he said.
Just about everyone in Ireland now carries a reusable bag, and the plastic bags that once blighted the Irish countryside are now merely an occasional eyesore, according to Lowes.
Papers bags — a less destructive alternative?
When asked the ubiquitous “Paper or plastic” at the local grocery, one might be inclined to choose paper, thinking the bags are less harmful than their plastic counterparts. But paper bags are responsible for a host of other environmental dangers.
Obviously, to make paper bags one needs to grow and harvest trees. Felled trees are then dried to make paper pulp, which is cleaned and treated with water before being compressed into sheets of paper.
With all that goes into making paper bags, it’s not surprising that they’re not energy efficient. In fact, plastic bags consume about 40 percent less energy than paper bags, according to www.cleangreenbags.com. Plastic bags also produce about 80 percent less solid waste than paper bags. And paper bags produce 70 times more air pollutants and 50 times more water pollutants during their life cycle.
The fact is, paper and plastic shopping bags are both harmful to the environment.
Cloth or canvas bags, on the other hand, can be used over and over again. Not only are they typically able to carry more weight, they’re also much kinder to the environment.
And soon, receiving free bags with your grocery purchase might become a thing of the past. Whole Foods has already eliminated the use of plastic bags in its stores.
There is hope that people will begin to realize that paper and plastic bags both come at great cost to the environment. Instead of scratching their head when asked “Paper or plastic,” perhaps people will hand the cashier a reusable bag instead.
Here are some important tips on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cloth bag, as found on the Web site www.greenlivingtips.com.
• Reusable jute bags — Jute is a plant fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is often referred to as hessian in products (e.g., a hessian bag). It is a strong fiber, durable, relatively cheap, and biodegradable. However, it is not very resistant to water, and jute plants may be grown with pesticides and/or imported (which means increased fuel consumption in the production).
• Reusable calico bags — Calico, derived from cotton, is usually unbleached and not fully processed. This makes it more friendly to the environment. It is relatively cheap to produce, strong and durable. However, it’s not water resistant. Cotton is typically grown with a lot of pesticides, and requires a lot of water.
• Reusable cotton/canvas bags — These bags are durable and strong. However, like with calico bags, the cotton is typically grown with pesticides and consumes a lot of water.
• Reusable hemp bags — These bags are incredibly strong, durable and rot-resistant. The crop can grow in poor soil with little water. However, hemp can be quite expensive. Due to legal restrictions on hemp production in the United States, most hemp products are imported.
As you can see in the list above, most reusable bags have both advantages and disadvantages. It’s nearly impossible to name any product that doesn’t have some negative environmental impact.
If you do choose cloth bags over paper or plastic, try to find one made from organically grown fibers. Check what sorts of dyes and colorings have been used to make the product, as some of these can be quite nasty to the environment.
Editor’s Note: Greg Potter, a resident of Lake City House, has written a letter to residents of the Lake City neighborhood, with tips on how to keep the neighborhood clean.
By Greg Potter
SHA Resident
If everyone helps out by doing a tiny bit of work around here, like picking up the garbage and litter around here on 33rd Avenue Northeast, we can keep the neighborhood clean. If garbage is on the public right-of-way and is too big to pick up, call the City of Seattle at 206-684-7587 to report illegal dumping.
If garbage is on private property, call the Department of Planning and Development, Code Compliance Division at 206-615-0808 to file a complaint.
If everyone here called when they see something, the city would be more likely to get on it right away.
If everyone in Lake City House talks to the right people about garbage in the neighborhood, or if we get a group of volunteers together, we can keep 33rd Avenue Northeast clean. Everything would be much better for us — and why in the heck should we expect someone else to do it?
By Seattle Neighborhood Group
Calling the police when there is a problem in the community or when you have been victimized can be a scary experience. Some people are afraid of retaliation if they call 911 for police assistance.
However, it is important to realize that criminals often target people who are not paying attention or can be easily intimidated. By not reporting, crime victims may be opening themselves up to continued victimization.
So what do you do? Do you call the police and risk retaliation? Do you say nothing and risk further problems in your neighborhood and possible victimization in the future?
The only way to get help is to step up and say something. Criminals like to be in places where people are too unaware, too apathetic or too scared to do anything. They will not just go away if they feel they can continue the same behavior without consequences.
What steps can you take to minimize the chances of possible retaliation?
When you call 9-1-1, you can ask to remain anonymous. That means the operator will not tell the officer who made the call.
You can ask that the police not contact you. Sometimes, it is possible to talk to the police somewhere other than your home.
If you are calling about suspicious activity you see in the neighborhood, make the call where the suspects won’t see or hear you.
While it is important to communicate with people you trust about neighborhood safety issues, you don’t have to tell everybody in the neighborhood that you called the police.
Talk to people you can trust. Working together, neighbors can make their communities safer.
If you are still too frightened to contact the police, then you can contact a trusted service provider, such as a case manager or a counselor who works in your community. They can help you contact the police, either through 911 or through the Community Police Team.
If you are uncomfortable about calling the police, we would like to hear from you. You can contact Kelly McKinney or Allan Davis for crime prevention information or help with your safety and security concerns.
Kelly McKinney (206-323-7084) and Allan Davis (206-323-7094) are Community Education Coordinators for Seattle Neighborhood Group.
Seattle Neighborhood Group will sponsor a free Be Safe Workshop for residents of affordable housing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 16. The location will be in the Belltown/Denny Regrade neighborhood of Seattle.
To register, please contact Allan Davis at SNG. Call 206-323-7094 or e-mail allan@sngi.org.
The purpose of the workshop is to increase the awareness and practice of personal safety. Space is limited. Lunch is included.
By Anza Muenchow
Special to The Voice
As we are almost overwhelmed by weeds in our gardens this summer, I’ll start with some of the lessons I am learning about weed management. The cool wet weather encouraged weeds as well as many of our Brassica family crops. The arugula, turnips, radishes, mustards and kale came up quickly, and because I planted thickly, they crowded out the early weeds.
Of course, we then had to thin these greens regularly, but we enjoyed many meals of these early Brassica crops. When directly sowing the slower germinating crops (beets, parsnips, carrots), I got caught with too much weeding and too many slugs. I’ll be replanting all these this month, though I did manage to save enough of the first sowing for some early harvests.
I have heard about a technique of early weeding for carrots. About a week after planting the seeds, organic farmers flame weed all the little sprouting weeds, just before the carrot seed sprouts. Timing is everything and I am nervous about using the “dragon weeders” (small flaming torches) but after a year like this, I’m tempted to try.
By using transplants, gardeners can get a jump on those weeds. This year I should have planted more densely, as the weeds filled in so quickly. I find that crowding the plantings of squash, pumpkin and cucumbers and then thinning later can help with weed control. Luckily the peas tolerate weeds if they are well trellised. I have a new chick weed that likes to climb trellises, but the peas are still thriving.
Next I am working more on the weedfree mulches. For the paths, I’ll use sawdust and chips, usually with a layer of cardboard or newspaper to block the light to the weed seeds.
I have a limited amount of weed-free compost for the eggplant, peppers and celery. I hesitate to use sheets of plastic mulch for the squash and cucumbers because it encourages slugs in our forest gardens, though lots of other gardens find it useful.
My main strategy for controlling summer weeds will be careful watering. I’ll prevent the weed seeds from germinating by leaving most of the soil dry. I’ll use soaker hoses and drip tape in the planted beds and avoid overhead sprinklers, except in the seedling beds, like lettuce and overwintering Brassicas.
Why do I work so hard to grow food? Because the average American diet is so unhealthy, and we have an epidemic of obesity in youth and adults; because the soil is being destroyed by corporate food production and we need more small organic farms; because the work in our garden keeps me active and the jobs of propagation, cultivation and harvesting are interesting and varied; but mainly because I like the relationship I have with plants.
A beautiful vine covered with snap peas or with cherry tomatoes is not only lovely to look at but also offers me a simple, healthy treat. The vitamins and minerals in these veggies help us fight chronic disease and improve our quality of life. The fiber in these foods cleans out our digestive system daily.
And did I mention the enjoyment of taste? Everyone knows that fresh foods taste better. So keep these foods handy and convenient by filling your garden with your favorite crops.
Besides harvesting and eating, this month in the garden we are planting some of our fall and wintering over crops: Lacinato kale, purple sprouting broccoli, bok choy, winter lettuce, extra carrot and winter beets. We may sow a fall crop of snow peas in early August, in case we have some “early fall” weather this year.
Enrich your soil with lots of good compost before planting. Mix in some garden lime if you haven’t added any in the last two or three years. Remember to water deeply this month, even in cloudy weather.
Enjoy your harvests. Keep gardening and eat well!
By Boe Oddisey
SHA Resident
Citrus fruit is a good source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which are naturally occurring compounds in plants that may provide health benefits. Most fruit juice drinks are sugar water with fruit f lavoring. Read the label — even if it is 100 percent juice, most of the vitamins, bioflavonoids and fiber are found in fruit pulp.
To increase my fiber and vitamin C intake, I use a peeler and peel off the thin, outermost skin of the oranges and grapefruit that I eat.
I place the fruit on a cutting board on the table, holding it in place with tongs to protect my fingers. With a peeler or knife I peel off the bright, colorful outer rind, leaving the whitish rind and pulp. Much of the bitter acids in the rind are found in the outer skin, so leaving the inner rind on the fruit doesn’t hurt the flavor.
Much of the vitamins and beneficial bioflavonoids found in citrus fruits are in the pulp. After peeling the fruits, I puree them in my blender to make a whole fruit smoothie. Add apples for a little variety.
I also puree my greens and carrots for more vitamins and fiber.
By Jim Bush
SHA Resident
On July 26, 1990, a landmark piece of federal legislation was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, giving millions of people with “differing abilities” the basic civil rights that had been denied them for so long.
This new law was seen by the disability community as the most important piece of legislation affecting people in this community ever adopted, surpassing the 1973 Rehab Act and many other laws that were then in effect.
What law are we talking about? It’s the Americans with Disabilities Act, otherwise known as ADA, and the 20th anniversary of its passage is being celebrated by many groups throughout the United States that focus on disability rights.
Seattle’s celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, July 26 at the Woodland Park Zoo’s North Meadow. The event will include entertainment, information-sharing and other activities.
Organizing the event is the Alliance of People with disABILITIES, an organization that’s been around for 30 years and has offices in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood and in Redmond.
Tickets for Zoo admission are available from the Alliance — please call its office at 206-545-7055; TDD users may call 206-632-3456). If you have a FLASH or Gold Card you can get into the Zoo for only $4.50. If you don’t have either one of these cards, you can get them from a number of sources, including the Alliance and the STAR Center (located at Center Park).
We also understand that parking at the Zoo costs $5 per vehicle, so people are being encouraged to carpool or take public transportation. The #5 bus from downtown Seattle (Third and Pine, near Macy’s) stops right in front of the zoo. All buses are accessible to people with disabilities and have space for two-wheeled mobility devices. For route and schedule information, call METRO Rider information at 553.3000 (TTD relay: 711).
By Neighborhood House
Do you have a child who would love to learn their letters and numbers sing songs and play with other children?
The Neighborhood House Head Start program is now enrolling children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old for the next school year, which begins in September. This includes children with special needs and significant disability. Programs are in the NewHolly, Rainier Vista, Yesler Terrace and High Point communities.
Head Start is a free federal program for preschool children from low-income families. Its half-day sessions provide children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially and physically.
Head Start staff members recognize that parents are the first and most important teachers of children, and they welcome their involvement in all school activities.
Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive medical and dental care and have healthy meals and snacks each day.
Head Start also offers individualized support to families, helping parents reach their goals so they can effectively support their children’s education.
The Neighborhood House Early Head Start program is also enrolling pregnant women and families with children from age 0 to 3. The Early Head Start program is a free weekly home visiting program where families receive child development information, social services, health assessments and other services.
For more information or to enroll your child, contact Million Shiferaw at 206-461-8430 ext. 246.
By Kristin O'Donnell
SHA Resident
Summer time – and time for a trip to an island. Lying roughly 30 miles to the north of Seattle in Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is a great daytrip destination, particularly on a long, sunny summer day.
Island County Transit Bus # 1 goes the full length of the island, leaving the ferry terminal approximately once an hour. It takes a little less than 90 minutes to get to Oak Harbor. Much of the long, narrow island is still wooded or farmland — you’ll see cows, horses, sheep and llamas. You will never be far from views of Puget Sound and the mountains. You aren’t in the city anymore, you aren’t on an interstate highway, and it is peaceful and wonderful — this would be a great trip even if you never got off the Island Transit buses.
At the north end of the bus line, Oak Harbor is the largest town on the island — it has a Wal-Mart, a Safeway and the only McDonalds on Whidbey Island. There’s also a replica windmill in a park on the main street and a museum on the Naval Air Station base (open odd hours; it was closed the day of my trip).
There is time for a coffee and restroom break at Whidbey Coffee, 980 Pioneer Way, before catching the #1 bus back to Coupeville.
Located on the city’s waterfront at the island’s midpoint, Coupeville is the oldest town on the island, and cute (extremely cute), quaint, and just darling. There are few bargains there. The architecture is a mix of some hundred-year old false-front stores, gingerbready Victorian structures, and a bunch of buildings designed to look old.
Shops are a similar mix as those seen in Pioneer Square, Port Townsend and Leavenworth — stores with T-shirts and coffee mugs and greeting cards, cute bakeries, shops with lovely and expensive clothing, jewelry and hand-dyed scarves, retro taverns with artisan beer and truffle fries, galleries with pictures of cute seagulls and noble seagulls and pretty, pretty flowers. Even the car repair shop is cute, located in a white brick 1930s-era building.
There are many pretty real flowers in planters and hanging baskets along the streets, and plenty of dogs around town, many hitched to storefronts.
The Island County Museum (908 N.W. Alexander St.; admission: Adult $3, Senior/Student/Military $2.50, family of three $6, museum members/children under 5 free) is half a block from the bus stop. Located in a newish building with a wonderful carved front door, it has an interesting public art mural salvaged from the Courthouse, along with the usual mix of donated local history exhibits.
The museum is well-lighted and uncluttered — many local museums seem to display anything and everything in their collection, which makes it difficult to see individual items. The museum could be improved with more interpretive signage and labels, but the staff is very helpful in answering questions.
The Visitor Center, across the street from the museum (stairs, but level entrance from the building front) has very helpful staff and a lot of free travel information.
I could not find lunch for under $7 in Coupeville, although there is an outdoor hotdog stand. I picked up some cheese and crackers (artisan and imported — no Velveeta or soda crackers here) at the wine shop. Then I got on the #1 bus heading back north to my next stop, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, which I’d learned about from the Visitor Center staff.
The bus stops at Sherman Road, a little over a mile north of Coupeville. Cross the highway (carefully) to an easy walk, mostly gently downhill, along a blacktopped county road with wild roses, daisies and California poppies growing beside it, overlooking red barns and green pastures.
These are some of the oldest farms in the state. Song sparrows and redwings sing. There’s a hawk circling. There’s no sidewalk, but also very few cars.
In about half a mile (approximately six city blocks) the road turns left and slightly uphill to reach the Sunnyside pioneer cemetery, which has ornate carved monuments, a 150-year-old blockhouse and a brilliant hilltop view of farmland, Puget Sound and the mountains. Bus service is hourly, so be aware of the schedule. Also note that the walk in is mostly downhill, which means the walk back to the Sherman Road bus stop is mostly (not steeply, but mostly) uphill. (And yes, I caught the bus, but only by huffing and puffing and walking much faster than I like to.)
It doesn’t require getting up at 6 a.m. or careful study of schedules during the week, and can even be done on a Saturday, although schedule reading is necessary then. (The weekday buses and the ferry run every thirty minutes Monday through Friday — Saturday service is less frequent.)
Sound Transit bus 511 to Ash Way Park and Ride leaves from Fourth Avenue stops ($3 adult/$2.50 youth/$1.50 senior and disabled). There is a direct transfer to the 113 Community Transit bus to Mukilteo. ($1.75 adult/$1.25 youth/$0.75 senior and disabled).
There may be a short wait for the ferry — there is a pretty beach park with a lighthouse next to the terminal, an indoor waiting room, rest rooms, and coffee shops and restaurants nearby. Then it’s a 20-minute ferry crossing to Clinton on Whidbey Island ($4.10 adult/$3.30 youth/$2.05 senior and disabled) with seagulls overhead, great views of the Olympic mountains if the weather is clear, and a chance to see seals (which I did see on the day I crossed) and orcas (which weren’t around that day).
The ferry sails to Clinton, where the buses are waiting at the landing. Island County Transit is excellent — comfortable and clean buses, lots of shelters, and no fares! Pick up a schedule — the buses are free, but not frequent.
From anywhere along the #1 bus route, catch the southbound bus to Clinton and the ferry to Mukilteo. (The return ferry is free.) Return to Seattle on the same bus routes you used to arrive.
There are possibilities for loop bus trips: Across the Deception Pass bridge from Oak Harbor on bus 411W to Mount Vernon to connect with Skagit Transit County Connector to Everett, then Sound Transit 510 from Everett to Seattle, or Island Transit Route 6 from Coupeville or Oak Harbor to Keystone on Whidbey for a ferry ride to Port Townsend and the Jefferson Transit/Kitsap Transit connection back to the Bainbridge to Seattle Ferry.
Both of these loop trips require a fairly early start and close attention to bus schedules. The last #7 bus from Port Townsend that connects to Seattle leaves at a little past 5 p.m., and the last 90X bus from Mount Vernon to Everett leaves at 6:15 p.m.
Note: Transportation will cost less if you have an ORCA card because Metro, Community Transit and Sound Transit will credit recently paid fares on the other systems as a transfer. Transit and ferries are accessible, as are most shops. Some places lack sidewalks. Ebey’s Landing trip is possible, but hills are challenging.
Ma haysataa ilmo jecel in aybartaan si looqoro ama loo akhriyo xarfaha, ama Tirada Xisaabta ama jecel inay heesaan ama la cayaaraan caruurta kale ee ay is ku dad a yihiin.
Hay ada layiraahdo (Neighborhood House Head Staff ) waxay hadda akhbraleysaa is qorida Caruurta Da doodu u dhexeyso 3-5 sano si loogu diyaariyo is kuulka sanadka soo socoda, kaas oo bilaaban doono bishi September ee sanad kan.
Is qorida waxaa kujira caruurta cuuryaanka ah ee u baahan xanaaneyn gooni ah. Borogaramkan wax alga heli karaa: New Holly, Rainier Vista, YeslerTerrace iyo Highpoint Communities Barnaamijka Tamhiidka Caruuta (Head Start Staff-ka )waa lacag la aan(Free)
Dowlada waxay uga tala gashey caruurta loo diyaarinayo is kuulka ee ka dhashey qoysaska dhaqaalahoodu hooseeyo waana barnamij maalin nuskeed ah oo loogu tala galay in caruurta lagu siyo, Tababaro caruurta ka caawinaya sidii ay u kori lahaayeen maskax ahaan iyo jir ahaan iyo weliba Dhaqan ahaanba.
Xubnaha shaqaalaha Head Start ka waxay aaminsan yihiin in waalidiintu ay yihiin macalinka koobad (1)ee waxbara caruurta , waxyna ku soo dhaweyn karaan ka qaybqaadashada dhaqdhaqaaqyada ka jira iskuulada. Dhamaantood (All School Activities) caruurta timaada Head Start ka waxay ka qaybqaataan qeybo kala duwan oo waxbarasho ah.Waxayna heli karaan Daryeelka caafimaadka iyo elkaha , waxay kale oo ay helikaraan cunto caafimaad leh iyo snacks maalin kasta.Si doo kale Head Start ka waxay bixinayaan in ay qof qof u caawiyaan Qoysaska iyo in ay Qoysaska ka caawiyaan in ay gaaraan goolka a ma yool ka leeyihiin.
Si ay dhab ahaan ugu caawiyaan waxbarasha caruurtooda.
Hayada Deriswanaaga ee la yiraahdo(Neighborhood House Early Head Start Program ) waxay sidoo kale qorayaan a ma Diiwaan gilinayaan Haweenka
Uukale iyo qoysaska haysta caruurta ay da,dooda u dhaxeyso 0-3 sanadood.
Hay ada Early Head Start Program waxay bixineysaa barnaamijka booqashada guriyaha isbuuc kasta-kaas oo lacag la aan ahwaxayna soo booqanaysaan guriyaha Qoysaska haysta caruurta ,meesha qoysaska ay ka helayaan arbixinta horumarinta caruurta .Adeega dad waynaha, Meeleynta Caafimaadka , iyo waxqabadyo badan oo kale.
Haddii aad u baahan tahay warbixin dheeraad ah am aad rabto in aad diiwaan giliso caruurtaada la soo xiriir :Million Shiferaw Telewfoonka: 206 461 8430 Ext:246
Qúi vị có con em thích học mẫu tự, đếm số, thích hát và chơi đùa với trẻ con khác hay không ?
Chương trình Lớp Vở Lòng của cơ quan Neighborhood House đang nhận đơn ghi tên cho trẻ em tuổi từ 3 đến 5 tuổi để vào khóa học tới, tức vào tháng Chín. Điều này bao gồm cả trẻ em cần quan tâm đặc biệt hay trẻ em có khuyết tật. Các chương trình học đều có ở các cộng đồng New Holly, Rainier Vista, Yesler Terrace và High Point.
Chương Trình Lớp Vở Lòng là chương trình miễn phí được tài trợ từ chính phủ liên bang để giúp trẻ em chuẩn bị đến trường học. Lớp học gồm nửa ngày, cung cấp cho trẻ em các sinh họat để các em tăng trưởng tâm trí, xã hội và thể lý.
Nhân viên Chương Trình Lớp Vở Lòng nhìn nhận rằng bậc cha mẹ chính là bậc thầy dạy đầu tiên và quan trọng nhất đối với trẻ em, và các nhân viên đón nhận sự liên hệ tham gia của bậc cha
mẹ vào các sinh họat của trẻ em ở trừong. Trẻ em học lớp Vở Lòng tham dự vào nhiều sinh họat gíao dục khác nhau. Chúng cũng được nhận sự chăm sóc sức khỏe , chăm sóc răng và ăn các bữa ăn lành mạnh mỗi ngày. Nhân viên Chương Trình Lớp Vở Lòng cung ứng sự hổ trợ đến từng cá nhân những người cha người mẹ, giúp cho bậc cha mẹ đạt được mục đích mong muốn để rồi họ có thể trợ giúp cách có hiệu quả cho con em của họ trong vấn đề giáo dục.
Chương trình Ấu Nhi của Cơ Quan Neighborhood House cũng ghi tên phục vụ cho qúi vị phụ nữ đang mang thai, và gia đình có trẻ em mới sinh đến 3 tuổi. Chương trình Ấu Nhi thực hiện các cuộc thăm viếng tại nhà mỗi tuần để cung cấp thông tin về việc phát triển nơi trẻ con, các dịch vụ Xã hội và những phục vụ khác.
Để biết thêm thông tin, hay để ghi tên cho con em, xin vui long liên lạc ông Million Shiferaw ở số (206) 461-8430 , số chuyển tiếp là 246.
У вас есть ребёнок, который хочет научиться узнавать буквы и цифры, петь песни и играть с другими детьми?
Программа Neighborhood House Head Start сейчас записывает детей в возрасте от 3 до 5 лет на следующий учебный год, который начинается в сентябре. Это включает детей с особыми требованиями и инвалидностью. Программы есть в New Holly, Rainier Vista, Yesler Terrace, High Point.
Программа Высокий Старт – это бесплатная федеральная программа для детей дошкольного возраста из малообеспеченных семей. Занятия на пол-дня обеспечивают детям умственное, физическое и социальное развитие.
Учителя программы Высокий Старт признают, что родители являются первыми и наиболее важными учителями детей и всячески приветствуют участие родителей в школьных делах.
Дети, посещающие Высокий Старт, участвуют во многих воспитательных мероприятиях. Они также обеспечиваются медицинскими и зубоврачебными услугами и получают ежедневное здоровое питание.
Высокий Старт также предлагает индивидуальную поддержку для семей, помогая им достичь цели, чтобы они были в состоянии эффективно поддерживать воспитание своих детей.
Программа Neighborhood House Early Head Start записывает также беременных женщин и семьи с детьми в возрасте от 0 до 3-х лет. Эта бесплатная программа обеспечивает еженедельное посещение на дому, когда семьи получают информацию о развитии ребёнка, социальные услуги, оценки здоровья и другие услуги.
Для дополнительной информации или для записи ребёнка свяжитесь с Million Shiferaw по тел. 206-461-8430 доп.246.