Join EBCA and Seattle Greenways this Sunday for a Ballard Janes Walk

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Dawn

This will be the 3rd year the EBCA has helped organize a Ballard Janes Walk in honor of Jane Jacobs who was a community organizer who helped save her neighborhood from destruction by the hands of outside interests. She invited everyone to see how cities actually work through experience, to go out and see what makes a neighborhood thrive, or to see what makes a neighborhood struggle. During this weekend, community organizers from all of the world will be giving tours in their own neighborhoods with this mission in mind. This year, the EBCA has teamed up with Seattle Greenways in this FeetFirst sponsored walk to explore Ballard urban green space of all shapes and sizes through a mix of residential blocks, commercial pockets and the historic industrial core.

Ballard Janes Walk 2015
Sunday May 3, 11 AM
Meet at Hales Brewery (Leary and NW 43rd)
Sign up: http://www.meetup.com/Feet-First-Walks/events/221896389/

PNA Village program extends to East Ballard

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Dawn

At 7 p.m. Thurs. April 30 the (PBS) KCTS channel 9 television show called IN Close will feature the PNA Village. This type of village is one of hundreds of existing and forming “virtual villages” in the U.S. – membership-driven, grass-roots organizations that, through both volunteers and paid staff, coordinate access to affordable services including transportation, health and wellness programs, home repairs, social and educational activities, and other day-to-day needs enabling individuals to remain connected to their community and to stay in their current homes throughout the aging process. East Ballard residents are within the PNA Village boundaries and can join and volunteer.

Representatives of the PNA Village will be attending the May 20 EBCA monthly meeting at 7:30pm. Please contact Dawn Hemminger if you’d like to attend.

The PNA Village serves persons living between NW 50th St and NW 105th St and Aurora Ave to 15th Ave NW. There are two existing Villages in different areas of Seattle, with one more launching this Spring and more in the works! The National Village organization conference is in Seattle this Fall!

Visit the PNA Village web! http://www.phinneycenter.org/village/index.html

Like them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PNAVillage

Visit the National Village to Village Network: http://www.vtvnetwork.org

Thank-you for helping us clean up 14th Ave NW!

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Dawn

Thank-you neighbors for coming out Saturday morning to clean up 14th Ave NW. We had a bunch of new neighbors come out plus our trusty regulars who are now pros at keeping our neighborhood clean. We had about 25 volunteers this time around, enough to cleanup 14th from NW 65th to Leary! With each new cleanup, we come up with something fun and new. This time around, we added kid-sized vests with the EBCA logo sewn on the back. Very fashionable!

Check out all of the photos here.

Don’t forget Adopt A Street Cleanup is this Saturday

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Dawn

You never know the treasures you might find when cleaning up your neighborhood

We’re looking forward to seeing you this Saturday rain or shine!

Adopt A Street Cleanup along 14th Ave NW
Sat April 25, 10am-1pm
Meet over coffee & breakfast snack at Blowing Sands Glass
5805 14th Ave NW
Tidy up 14th Ave NW & care for the planters.
Come dressed for the weather.
Stay and have lunch donated by Ballard Market
contact eastballard@gmail.com for more information

Have you tried the City’s “Find It, Fix It” app yet?

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Dawn

City of Seattle’s “Find It, Fix It” smartphone app takes advantage of technology available on mobile devices, including geographic awareness, to citizens a convenient way to alert the City to issues such as graffiti, potholes and streetlight outages, while providing location information that helps City staff respond.

The app, which can be downloaded to any iPhone or Android phone, offers the following service request categories:

Abandoned Vehicles: report vehicles parked in a public right-of-way more than three days.
Graffiti: report graffiti, including what it is on – parking meter, utility pole or building – so it gets automatically routed to the appropriate department for response.
Illegal Dumping: report illegal dumping in a specific location.
Parking Enforcement: make an inquiry regarding a parking concern.
Pothole: report a pothole.
Streetlight Report: report a specific outage.
Other Inquiry: this miscellaneous category is for making an inquiry or request, which will be processed by the City’s Customer Service Bureau. Mobile users should choose this category to provide feedback.

Android users can download the app from the Google Play Store and iPhone users can download it from iTunes.

The app also provides a link to http://m.seattle.gov, the mobile version of the City of Seattle’s website. Windows phone users can use this link to view the City’s full website and “request a City service” under the “Need Help” section near the bottom of the home page.

In addition to the app, you can report issues and request information:

In person at the Customer Service Bureau located in the City Hall lobby, the Customer Service Center in the Seattle Municipal Tower lobby and any of six Neighborhood Service Centers;
Over the phone by calling the Customer Service Bureau at 206-684-2489 (CITY); and
At the City’s website at http://www.seattle.gov.

All requests submitted must specify a location within Seattle city limits in order to complete processing. If the location is outside the city limits, a message will display to the user and the request will close automatically.

For help with Find It, Fix It and City services in general, please contact the Customer Service Bureau at 206-684-2489 (CITY).

Mark your calendar for Adopt A Street Cleanup on Sat April 25

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Dawn

Spring has sprung, which is a sign that it’s time to don our fluorescent vests, slip on a pair of rubber gloves, grab our picker uppers, sling a bright yellow bag over our shoulders, and take to the street, 14th Ave NW that is!

Join your neighbors on Saturday April 25 for EBCA’s biannual Adopt A Street Cleanup. We’ve been cleaning up 14th Ave NW since the Fall of 2005 thanks to your help and our amazing volunteers who organize this event. Picking up trash is a lot more fun than it sounds and is something the whole family can do together. See you there rain or shine!

Participate in Seattle’s first emergency prepardeness “hub-a-thon”

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Dawn

After a successful round of Hub Chats held March 24-25, it is clear neighborhood leaders want to connect with other groups organizing for disaster. The Seattle Emergency NeighborLink map will launch within the next week. For more details on the map and how to connect during the Hub-a-thon, see FAQs below:

What’s going on? Two big things …
This month, the Seattle Emergency NeighborLink map makes its on-line debut. If you are part of the SNAP list*, you will automatically receive a link to this website.

Then, on April 17-18, Seattle Emergency Management will host the first-ever Seattle “Hub-a-thon!”

*sign up for the SNAP list at: http://www.seattle.gov/lists/eocsnap.htm

What is a Hub-a-thon?
It’s a virtual meet-up of neighborhood coordinators who have organized their group for safety and disaster preparedness. Neighbors connect themselves via the new Seattle Emergency NeighborLink map.

What is the Seattle Emergency NeighborLink map?
An interactive Google map where you can connect with other neighborhood coordinators directly and see who else has organized around you.

Why Seattle Emergency NeighborLink?
If you’ve ever wondered who else has formed a neighborhood group around safety or disaster preparedness, there has never been a way to easily locate or contact others. But now with NeighborLink, there is!

Why does this matter?
In any large-scale regional disaster, city resources will be overwhelmed, and people will have to rely on those around them to get through the first few days and weeks. Connecting with people now, and exchanging information ahead of time, will be an important way for neighbors to stay safe and help each other when the time comes.

Can anyone participate?
While anyone can view the map, group information should be posted by either your neighborhood coordinator, community agency, or someone you designate. Seattle Emergency NeighborLink will only show Seattle-based SNAP, Block Watch, Hub groups and CERT individuals. CERT members are asked to associate with their nearest Seattle-based Hub.

How do I participate?
Go to: www.seattleemergencyhubs.org – (website is currently being updated)
Look for the Seattle Emergency NeighborLink map on the home page. (Google Map won’t be live until early April.)

Click and fill in the form for SNAP, Block Watch, Hub or CERT.

Send in your information and watch for your group to show up on the map during the April 17-18 Hub-a-thon!

What if I’m not part of SNAP, Block Watch, Hub or CERT? Can I still add myself to the map?
No, but if you want to start your own SNAP, Block Watch or Hub group, you’ll be able to link out to those websites for more information.

Once I see the map is live, do I have to wait to be part of the Hub-a-thon?
No! In fact, the more people who fill in the form early, the faster people can start connecting. The first day of the Hub-a-thon is just the beginning. The map will constantly be updated as people keep adding themselves to the map.

Our group doesn’t use computers. Can we still participate in the Hub-a-thon and become part of the Seattle Emergency NeighborLink map?
Yes! The Hub-a-thon is set for Fri, April 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sat, April 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Have a member of your group stop by the American Red Cross anytime during those times. We will take your information and enter it into the computer for you. It’s that easy.

Or, call 206-684-0517 during the Hub-a-thon and we will take your information over the phone.

What happens after the Hub-a-thon?
Start connecting with other neighborhood coordinators via email! The NeighborLink map will be your ready resource to help you plan and organize with other groups around you.

Anything else?
Stay tuned to the SNAP email list* for future announcements on SNAP and Hub training. Seattle Office of Emergency Management is committed to helping our community connect and plan together for disaster. *See link above or email: snap@seattle.gov

For more information, contact Debbie Goetz, Seattle Office of Emergency Management, email: debbie.goetz@seattle.gov or call 206-684-0517.

Please send questions or comments to mailto:eocsnap-request@talk2.seattle.gov | Privacy Policy

Seattle Office of Emergency Management | 105 5th Avenue South, Suite 300 | Seattle | WA | 98104

Apply for a Small Sparks Grant for your next spring clean event

Image

Two April workshops offered for Large Projects Fund applicants

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Dawn

A Large Project Fund grant helped build Ballard Corner’s Park

Neighborhood Matching Fund supports neighborhood-initiated projects

The Neighborhood Matching Fund, a program of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, is hosting its last two workshops for those interested in applying to the Large Projects Fund this May. The Large Projects Fund provides matching funds of up to $100,000 to neighborhood groups for community-building projects. Attendance at one of these workshops is required to submit a Large Projects Fund application.

The mandatory workshop will provide an overview of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, the qualities of a strong application, and the review process. Neighborhood and community groups interested in applying are invited to attend. The final workshop dates and locations are as follows:

Wednesday, April 1, 6 – 8 p.m.
Garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St.

Thursday, April 9, 6 – 8.p.m.
El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16^th Ave S

To attend a workshop, RSVP at surveymonkey.com/s/LPFWorkshop2015 or contact NMFund@seattle.gov or 206-733-9916. To request childcare or interpretation services, contact us at least 3 days prior to your preferred workshop.

The deadline for the Large Projects Fund is May 4 at 5:00 p.m. To learn more, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/largeproject.htm.

The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Program awards matching funds for projects initiated, planned, and implemented by community members. Its goal is to build stronger and healthier neighborhoods through community involvement and engagement. Every award is matched by a neighborhood’s contribution of volunteer labor, donated materials, in-kind professional services, or cash.

Update on the East Ballard Green Streets

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Dawn

Come meet Cari and learn more about this project at Groundswell NW’s Annual Meeting and Civic Social on Tuesday March 24 6pm at the Nordic Heritage Museum.

Project Update:
Big changes are in the works for the planting strip area between the sidewalk and the street, along 11^th Avenue NW between NW 58^th and 56^th streets. A design team comprised of local engineers and landscape architects, Antioch University Seattle students and faculty, Ballard High School students, Surfrider members and community volunteers from East Ballard are poised to construct a series of voluntary roadside rain gardens.

Polluted runoff starts as clean rainwater that then comes in contact with toxins in our built environment, such as vehicle exhaust particles that settle on the ground, oil leaks, pet waste, garbage and other chemicals that end up on our roads, parking lots, roofs or other hard surfaces and flows into the nearest catch basin, which collects runoff underneath the drains found on most street corners. Currently, rain water flows freely down the roadway surface and into the nearest storm drain, and often overwhelms the system and causes localized flooding.

East Ballard contributes approximately 2 million gallons of roadway runoff to Salmon Bay each year through catch basins that connect into one big pipe that empties into Salmon Bay near the Fred Meyer store at the 11^th Avenue NW shoreline street end, with no treatment or filtration. Pollution from roadway runoff enters the food chain and affects the health of marine creatures and the people who eat fish or shellfish.

Imagine three Olympic sized swimming pools filled with roadway runoff draining into Salmon Bay every year!

What are roadside rain gardens?
Our roadside rain garden projects, also known as natural drainage or biofiltration, will be engineered to absorb and filter the roadway runoff through cuts in the curb that allow water to flow into planted swales that will drain quickly to prevent ponding.

The group has been working with Seattle Department of Transportation and Street Use to apply for a Voluntary Roadside Rain Garden Street Use permit, while also working with City staff to make the permit rules more accessible by community organizations. In the future, there may be grant programs or other opportunities for community organization or groups of neighbors to apply for a permit to transform their block, and this project will provide information, guidelines and lessons-learned.

Neighborhood history – the “11^th Avenue Creek”
We learned from residents and our research at the Seattle Municipal Archives, that an historic creek used to run parallel to 11^th Avenue NW, from above where Ballard High School football field is down to Salmon Bay next to where the Fred Meyer store is located today. Prior to 1860, this area was densely forested with several small creeks draining down into Salmon Bay, which had a large area of tidal mud flats and marshes ringing the edge of the bay. One of the creek’s early names was the Lushootseed name for Evergreen Huckleberry, a native plant with edible berries. Evergreen Huckleberry will be one of the featured plants in the 11^th Avenue NW roadside rain garden planting plan.

In the early 1900s the creek was put into a pipe as the City of Ballard expanded and was developed. Even on dry days you can hear the creek flowing in the pipe under 11^th Avenue NW (please be very careful if you stand in the roadway!) under the manholes that have “BSS” stamped on them.

What is East Ballard Greenstreets?
In an effort to improve urban water quality and neighborhood livability, The Russell Family Foundation awarded Antioch University Seattle with funding to site, design and build demonstration roadside rain gardens in the East Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. We welcome any residents from the area to get involved and help coordinate the design and construction process with the E. Ballard property owners.

For more information, please contact Cari Simson, Project Manager:
cari@urbansystemsdesign.com / 206-234-5102

Learn more about the project on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EastBallardGreenstreet

EBCA

East Ballard Community Association

Author Archives: Dawn