News roundup: Diaper collection, Neighborhood Matching Fund, Pedestrian Board and Library contest

by | Dec 24, 2015

Childish Things at 10002 Holman Rd. NW has collected more than 4,000 diapers from customers this month. The store matches that before sending it all to Westside Baby. And they’ll keep accepting donations through Dec. 31.

The city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund has opened up its 2016 funding opportunities for community-initiated projects, and it’s hosting workshops for community groups to learn more.

All three of its funds – Small Sparks, Small and Simple Projects Fund, and the Large Projects Fund – support the efforts of community members as they work on projects to build stronger neighborhoods and communities. More than 5000 projects have occurred across the city since this program began 28 years ago.

The Small Sparks Fund which provides awards of up to $1,000 per project accepts applications year-round. This is great funding opportunity for implementing small community projects as well as supporting activities such as Neighbor Appreciation Day, Night Out, Earth Day, and others.

The Small and Simple Projects Fund, which provides awards of up to $25,000, has three opportunities to apply in 2016. Deadlines for applications are February 1, June 6, and September 12 by 5 p.m. For those interested in applying in February, NMF staff is hosting workshops about the guidelines and application process. The dates are as follows:

  • Monday, January 11; 6 – 8 p.m. at El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S in Room 310
  • Thursday, January 14; 6 – 8 p.m. at Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N in Room 6

To RSVP call 206-733-9916 or go online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NMFWorkshop2016. Additional workshops will be offered prior to each Small and Simple Projects Fund application deadline.

The Large Projects Fund (LPF), which awards up to $100,000 per project, is open to applications once a year. The 2016 deadline is May 2 by 5:00 p.m. For those interested in applying, mandatory workshops will be offered beginning early next year.

The NMF program has staff to advise community groups on ways to develop successful applications and projects. Community members are strongly encouraged to contact a Neighborhood Matching Fund Project Manager before applying at 206-233-0093 or [email protected].

The Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is looking for new members.

The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1993, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and City Council, participates in planning and project development, evaluates policies and makes recommendations to all city departments including the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Currently we are looking for candidates to fill at least four positions. Board members are frequent users of our pedestrian network, and represent a variety of ages, levels of mobility, walks of life, and areas throughout the city. Members must be Seattle residents, and may not be City employees. The board meets the second Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall on Fifth Avenue between James and Cherry streets.

Interested Seattleites should submit a resume and cover letter explaining their interest via email by January 25, 2016 to: Howard Wu at [email protected].

The Seattle Public Library is hosting its first speculative flash fiction contest, Door to A Pink Universe, from Jan. 1 through Feb. 29. It’s open to library card holders ages 17 and up. The competition is held in honor of science fiction writer and Seattle resident Octavia Butler. Up to three winners will be published on the Library’s website and win literary prizes from EMP museum, Clarion West Writers Workshop or Norwescon.

How to enter:

  1. Write a short work of speculative fiction (500 to 750 words) set in any one of The Seattle Public Library’s locations. The story should be evocative of the social, racial and historical themes found in Octavia Butler’s fiction.
  2. Beginning Friday, Jan. 1, enter the Door to A Pink Universe contest online at www.spl.org/seattlewrites-pinkuniverse. Entries will be received through Submittable, a third-party form submission site; a first and last name, email address and password are required for Submittable’s free registration.

Submissions must be entered by 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. All submissions will be judged anonymously by a panel of local writers, including science fiction writer Nisi Shawl. Winners will be notified by phone or email. The award ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 10 at the Central Library.

Contest participants must have a Library card issued by The Seattle Public Library and must be 17 years of age or older by Feb. 29, 2016. One submission is allowed per person. Entries must be the writer’s own work and may not be submitted without the writer’s knowledge or consent. No previously published works or works accepted for publication elsewhere will be accepted. No monetary compensation is provided for submissions.

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