Here’s a roundup of various neighborhood news.
826 Seattle, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center in Greenwood, has been awarded a 2013 Mayor’s Arts Award for “Future Focus.” They will be honored at a special ceremony on Aug. 30.
From the award description:
826 Seattle, working with about 3,000 students annually, is a writing and tutoring center that helps young people acquire and strengthen writing skills and express themselves through publishing opportunities. With the help of hundreds of trained volunteers, 826 Seattle offers writing workshops, support for teachers in classrooms, theatrical writing field trips and a vibrant afterschool tutoring program. At 826 Seattle, imagination is key, as is the belief that young people are more likely to grow into compassionate, successful adults if they possess the skill and confidence to share their stories. 826 Seattle inspires learning and creativity in a number of ways, starting with its whimsical storefront: The Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company, complete with atomic teleporter entry into the writing center. This sense of wonder permeates all 826 Seattle programs. Opportunities to have their writing published in anthologies inspires students to do their best work.
Mayor Mike McGinn and other city and neighborhood leaders will celebrate the completion of the Linden Avenue North Complete Street Project from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday with a ribbon cutting, entertainment, music and an artwork installation honoring Playland amusement park (1930-1961). Linden Avenue North will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. between North 130th and 135th streets. The celebration will be in front of the Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave. N.
SDOT redeveloped Linden Avenue North between North 128th and North 145th streets into a neighborhood-friendly roadway, improving safety for all users. The project included constructing the City’s first urban cycle track which completed a missing link of the Interurban Trail; providing a re-designed roadway that calms traffic and organizes parking; adding a new crosswalk and flashing beacon with infrared detection; adding all energy-saving LED lighting; installing green stormwater infrastructure; constructing new sidewalks and pedestrian railings; adding landscaping and street; lighting and more!
9 Cranes Inn, at 5717 Palatine Ave. N., received a 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for consistently receiving high reviews from travelers. This is the second year in a row that 9 Cranes Inn has received the award.
Top Ten Toys was named National Retailer of the Month by The Haywire Group for its commitment to the community. “In our eyes, they are everything that is good about locally owned businesses,” David Blanchard, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Haywire Group, said in the press release. “They make their presence known in the community each month by donating to many local organizations including, schools, food banks, and child care centers as well as being involved in multiple community activities.”
Top Ten toys is celebrating with special Thursday play days this month and 20 percent discounts on The Haywire Group toys.
Macaroni Kid, a free weekly newsletter and website, now highlights fun places and activities for kids and families in NW Seattle, including our neighborhood.
Maris sent us pictures of painted green coffee cans (right) that have shown up all over the neighborhood. Does anybody know what they’re for, or who put them there?
The New Simplicity Circle: Community and the Sharing Economy meets at 5 p.m. every Tuesday at the Phinney Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., in the Blue Building. It’s organized by Cecile Andrews.
The Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., is hosting “Un Saludo a Espana – A Salute to Spain” on Friday, July 19. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., dinner seating is at 7:30 p.m., and flamenco dancing begins at 8:15 p.m. Cost is $12 for PNA members, $15 for the general public. RSVP online or call 206-297-0875.
The City of Seattle is offering double the food stamp benefit for produce purchased at Seattle Farmer’s Markets through its “Fresh Bucks” Program, including at the Phinney Farmers Market on Fridays.
Fresh Bucks doubles the value of produce purchases made with SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards at all Seattle Farmers Markets. EBT users receive $10 in Fresh Bucks per day for the purchase of fruits and vegetables when they purchase a minimum of $10 with their EBT card.
Illumination Learning Studio has opened its fall enrollment for music and educational programs. You can register online, or stop by at 7720 Greenwood Ave. N. and meet the teachers.
Greenwood Hardware’s remodel has added 45 solar panels to the expansion, which will supply about 15 percent of the store’s annual electrical consumption. It’s tied to the electrical grid, so excess power can be shared when their production exceeds store consumption.
Photo courtesy A&R Solar Corp.
