The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says today’s air quality is now at an unhealthy level for everyone, not just vulnerable populations.

Air pollution is increasing due to wildfire smoke and may cause health problems.

Currently, the air quality has reached levels that are UNHEALTHY for everyone in the Puget Sound region. Although we could have some clearing tonight, with so much smoke around it will likely linger through Thursday. The outlook for early next week shows smoke could return. Check the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website for the most recent conditions.

Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems:

• Asthma attack
• Trouble breathing
• Coughing
• Stinging eyes
• Irritated sinuses
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Fast heartbeat

Everyone should take precautions, especially children, older adults, and people that are pregnant, have heart or lung issues (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD), or that have had a stroke:

Stay indoors when possible.

Limit your physical activity outdoors, such as running, bicycling, physical labor, and sports.

Close windows in your home, if possible, and keep the indoor air clean. If you have an air conditioner, use the “recirculation” switch. Use an indoor air filter if available.

If you do not have an air conditioner, consider finding a public place with clean, air-conditioned indoor air like a public library or a community center.

Avoid driving when possible. If you must drive, keep the windows closed. If you use the car’s fan or air conditioning, make sure the system recirculates air from inside the car; don’t pull air from outside.

Schools, camps, sports teams, and daycare providers should consider postponing outdoor activities or moving them indoors.

N95 or N100 rated masks can help protect some people from air pollution. These masks are usually available at hardware and home repair stores. Please check with your doctor to see if this appropriate for you. More information here.

For more information on ways to reduce your exposure, see the Washington Department of Health’s Smoke From Fire tips.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association is expanding some programs and rearranging a few jobs, so there are quite a few current job postings.

Click on each link for a full job description and application instructions.

• Whittier Kids Preschool Teacher
• Community Programs Coordinator
• Development Associate
• Event Manager
• Program Director
• Salesforce Administrator
• Greenwood Senior Center Office Manager
• Phinney Center Evening Administrative Assistant
• Phinney Center Substitute Administrative Assistant

The Phinney Ridge Community Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Everyone is welcome.

On the agenda:

Land Use Policy updates, including:

• Seattle Tree Ordinance and Urban Canopy
• Backyard Cottage-Detached Dwelling Unit Environmental Impact Statement
• Mandatory Housing Affordability Proposal and Appeal

They’ll also discuss the proposed rezone of the “Shared Roof” development project at 7009 Greenwood Ave. N., plus the Greenwood/Phinney Village Boundary Survey and the Green Lake Small Craft Center Feasibility Study.

Just a reminder that Parks and Recreation is hosting a community meeting from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Greenwood Park’s Sport Court at 8805 Fremont Ave. N. to show its final design for the park’s addition.

Parks and Rec purchased the one-tenth of an acre site, which is surrounded by current park property, in 2013. The public is invited to view the preferred schematic and give final input.

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be finished in spring 2019.

Local King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles is announcing that more than $500,000 will be awarded to six organizations serving older adults across District 4, including programs in Phinney, Greenwood, Ballard, and Wallingford.

The funds are part of the initial rollout of the recently voter-renewed Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. The one-time investments will help senior centers, community centers, and organizations serving older adults expand programs to reach more local seniors, make their facilities safer and more accessible, purchase equipment and appliances, and more.

“We all benefit by being part of a community, to get support from others when needed,” said King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, represents a large portion of Seattle and Chairs the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee. “Senior centers offer such places for many of our older citizens, especially in providing opportunities for social interaction. There was a clear need for increased funding to senior centers and community organizations serving seniors across King County and I am thrilled to see their important work being supported in this new and exciting way.”

In total, all six projects across District 4 were awarded the full amounts of their request.

*   Phinney Neighborhood Association/Greenwood Senior Center – $85,000 to support a new ADA-compliant door, social work, new IT systems, increased outreach, and new kitchen equipment.

*   Ballard NW Senior Center – $78,000 to support increased outreach, help to maintain a social worker, fund repairs for a senior transportation vehicle, and fund new IT systems.

*   Pike Market Senior Center – $27,000 for a new program development to increase attendance and inclusion and new kitchen equipment.

*   Sound Generations Community Dining – $76,000 to support new volunteer training materials, outreach to Latino and ESL senior communities, new kitchen equipment, and new IT hardware.

*   United Indians of All Tribes Foundation: Native Elders Program – $80,000 to support a new wheelchair lift, outreach, senior housing stability services, IT hardware, and senior transportation vehicle repair

*   Wallingford Community Center – $115,000 to support restroom repairs, social worker support, IT systems, increased outreach, and staff training.

Each senior center will also receive an additional $12,500 to conduct outreach and provide applications for seniors to enroll in the property tax exemption program.

“We are so grateful for this Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy grant,” said Lee Harper, Executive Director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association. “This important infusion of stabilization dollars will enable us to upgrade accessibility and ensure that our important support services are strengthened and able to expand where there has been the most need.”

By 2040, more than a quarter of King County’s population will be seniors. Healthy lifestyles and social engagement are keys to living long and living well.

The company that recently purchased the Greenwood Safeway site, Washington Holdings, has reached out asking local residents to provide input on the site’s development options.

Washington Holdings launched a community outreach effort that hopes to better understand what types of uses and design the community is most interested in. They are in the very early stages of planning a mixed-use development on the site, which will include apartments and retail space. Here are three ways to submit feedback:

1. Visit their website and complete a short survey: www.87greenwood.com

2. Email their team directly: info@87greenwood.com

3. Stop by their drop-in session on August 16th, from 5:30-7:30pm at Naked City        Brewery in the Screening Room.

The survey will be open until August 17th at which point they will start preparing for the City’s Design Review process and other permitting steps.

Just a reminder that many neighborhood non-arterial streets will be closed off Tuesday evening as neighbors gather for block parties for the national Night Out, which brings people together with the aim of reducing crime.

Last year, Seattle registered more than 1,300 Night Out events, which means that many, many streets will be blocked off for the evening. So if you’re out driving, just be aware that you may have to take a circuitous route home.

Just a reminder that Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 7, so make sure you vote and return your ballot.

New this year, if you choose to mail your ballot you won’t need a stamp as the county is paying for postage. They must be postmarked by Aug. 7, or you can drop it an official Ballot Drop Box, which is open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. Aug. 7.

Here are the nearest Ballot Drop Boxes to our neighborhood:

• Ballard Library, corner of NW 57th Street and 22nd Avenue NW
• Broadview Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N.
• Green Lake Community Center, 7201 East Green Lake Drive N.

Click here for a full list of all King County Ballot Drop Box locations.