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April 2009 News

News

From the President

Dear Friends,  Somehow April has snuck up on us, what with this March full of bluster and what I have come to refer to as "fat" rain, hitting the windshield with a splat rather than a respectable drop.  But April it is, and that means all the ballyhoo of "Earth Day" or "Earth Month" or why don't we just face the music and start another "Earth Year"?  We hope that the peas we tried to plant may actually sprout, and despite everything we are enjoying the brilliant forsythia, the daffodils, and even an early tulip.  Oh, and the primroses, the hardy ones that aren't forced on us in January by eager nurseries for an annual profit, they are doing quite nicely as well in my yard.

For Groundswell NW, you will now find these informal newsletter greetings coming from Andrea Faste, your new Board chair.  I am looking forward to some new projects, a planned edible garden tour coming in late June and some educational events in the fall about Phytoremediation. I will let you ponder on the meaning of that.  The other big event this year will be the official opening of Ballard Corners Park.

Finally, I want to thank Dave Boyd for steering Groundswell NW these  last two years.  Dave has been tireless, keeping projects going, constantly reaching out to make new contacts, remaining in touch with citywide Parks developments and prodding the rest of us to create events, newsletters, and work parties for our various on-going projects.  I take over knowing his is a tough act to follow.

So again, it's April, get out there and get your hands dirty!!  Go play in the dirt, and celebrate Earth every day.

Groundswell NW Events

Sat, 04/11: Salmon Bay Natural Area Workparty

Come help clean up, tour the site, and learn about plans for an art installation. Bring work gloves for weeding and litter pick-up.

Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Meet at the west end of The Canal parking lot, just south of NW 54th near 34th Ave. NW.
Contact: Dave Boyd, dave.boyd1@comcast.net, 498-6636

Sat, 04/18: 9th Ave NW Park Work Party

We will be weeding garden beds, installing mulch and controlling the ivy & holly. If you have a trusty tool (non-motorized) you like to use in your garden, please bring it! We’ll provide tools, water and snacks.

Note: an ongoing individual volunteer orientation will be held at 11 a.m. for interested volunteers who wish to garden outside of work parties!

Sponsor: Friends of 7028 - 7036 9TH Ave NW Park Work Party

Time: 9 a.m. – 1p.m.

Meet at: North Garden Beds

Contact: Theresa McEwen 206-615-0691 or email 9thAveNWPark@gmail.com

Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: 7028 - 7036 9TH Ave NW Park, North Garden Beds
Contact: Theresa McEwen 206-615-0691

Sat, 04/18: Work Party- Bergen Place Park in Ballard!

Come join us to build community and clean our park in downtown Ballard. We will be sprucing up the park, weeding and mulching!

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 5420 22nd Ave NW, Seattle
Contact: Victoria Sangrey, 206 335 8391, v.sangrey@comcast.net

Sat, 04/18: East Ballard Community Association Adopt A Street Cleanup

Meet your neighbors for coffee & breakfast snacks. We'll work side by side for a couple of hours to tidy up 14th Ave NW. Then have lunch together and talk about ongoing and upcoming East Ballard activities.

Tools and trash bags will be provided by the city. Refreshments will be provided by Ballard Market. Come dressed for the weather (rain or shine).

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: 5801 14th Ave NW (Blowing Sands Glass)
Contact: Dawn Hemminger 206-953-3940

Sun, 05/03: Ballard Corners Landscape Party

Ballard Corners Park is holding a weeding and landscape party this weekend.
Sunday, May 3rd at 10 AM.  We're at 17th and 62nd.  People should bring
gloves, buckets (for weeds and trash), and weeding tools.

 Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: 17th Ave NW and NW 62nd St
Contact: David Folweiler, david.folweiler@ballardcornerspark.org

Mon, 05/04: Salmon Bay Natural Area Art Proposals

Open house to view proposals for a landmark art piece to mark the site from the trail and NW 54th, enhance the entry to the plaza and reinforce the interpretive elements on the site, particularly the Native American heritage. 

Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: The Canal, 5300 34th Ave NW (on the south side of NW 54th St. just west of the Locks)
Contact: Dave Boyd, 498-6636, dave.boyd1@comcast.net

Other Events

Sat, 04/04: Introduction to Permaculture Class

Find out what this Permaculture buzz is about! Whether in a garden, yard, forest or city, explore the interconnections between seemingly unrelated parts that form whole systems. Taught by two instructors certified in Permaculture Design, you will have the opportunity to learn design methods and principles. Sack lunch recommended.

Location: Carkeek Park's Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road
Date: April 4th
Time: 10-2:30
Instructor: Faith Van De Putte & Shala Racicky
ActivityFee: $75

For more information or to register call 206-684-0877

Registration required.

Time: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Location: Carkeek Park's Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road

Sun, 04/12: Llandover Woods Sunday Open Space Bird Walk & Work Party

We'll warm up with nature walk and focus on removal of invasive plants. Volunteers, please wear protective clothing,sturdy shoes, preferably long pants and long sleeves. Please bring drinking water. Gloves and tools provided.

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 3rd Ave NW & 145th Seattle WA 98177
Contact: Glenn Austin, 206-364-9252, gaustin@path.org

Sat, 04/18: 29th Annual Earth Day at Carkeek Park

Saturday, April 18, 2009, 8:30am – 1pm

Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Carkeek Park ELC & Environs
Contact: Nancy Malmgren, 206-363-4116, Bill.Malatinsky@seattle.gov

Sat, 04/18: 29th Annual Earth Day at Carkeek Park

Volunteer work party sponsored by Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project, Seattle Parks & Recreation, Seattle Public Utilities/Restore Our Waters.

Saturday, April 18, 2009, 8:30am – 1pm

Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd Seattle, WA 98177
Contact: Nancy Malmgren, 206-363-4116, Bill.Malatinsky@seattle.gov

Sat, 04/18: Carkeek STARS Volunteer Work Party

Join other enthusiastic volunteers for a fun morning of forest restoration and trails maintenance. We have a wide variety of tasks you can help with. We provide gloves and water. Please wear sturdy shoes. Follow the STARS signs to our meeting place. We're here the third Saturday of every month. Welcome!

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Carkeek Park 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd Seattle, WA 98177-4755
Contact: Dale Johnson, 206-362-2980, dalerayjohnson@comcast.net

Tue, 05/05: Ballard Community Center Garden

Please join us on May 5, 2009 at 1:00 pm. The new Ballard CC Community Garden will be dedicated. It started out as a "Teens Giving Back Project"  with a local 4-H Club and most recently was completed by Conservation Corp.

The garden will be open to anyone in the community who would like to help maintain it along with our 4-H Club, Seattle Parks Special Populations division, and the Lifelong Recreation participants.

Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Sat, 05/09: Spring planting: Espaliered Fruit Tree Planting/Training

A free monthly hands-on gardening class sponsored by Sustainable Ballard's Garden Guild. Topics vary seasonally and according to group interest and happen rain or shine. Bring hand tools, gloves and dress for weather and dirt.

You must register through Parks Dept at 684-4053 or www.seattle.gov/parks.  Class limit 20.
Time: 1:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Loyal Heights Community Center 1:00-3:00 pm

Sat, 05/09: Crown Hill Neighborhood Assoc. Annual Meeting

You are invited to CHNA's annual community meeting and celebration.

We will also celebrate the recent purchase of the former Crown Hill Elementary and discuss plans to develop the space with members of: the Crown Hill Project, Seattle Parks, the Seattle Fire Dept, Sustainable Crown Hill and Walkable Crown Hill.

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: former Crown Hill Elementary, rm 4
Contact: Carrie Ferrence, 206-850-8481, www.crownhillneighbors.org

Sat, 05/09: Native Plant Sale

Huge Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 9
Annual spring sale by Washington Native Plant Society, on May 9, 10-4,at Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue, 98005.
Hundreds of species native to Washington, including wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, shrubs, & trees. Also a large selection of books (Cedar Grove compost. Cash, checks & Visa/Mastercard accepted.
More info at www.wnps.org, including a list of species offered (by
mid-April). Contact 206-527-3210 or wnps@wnps.org.
Bring your own boxes or trays please!
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue, 98005
Contact: 206-527-3210 or wnps@wnps.org.

Sun, 05/10: Llandover Woods Sunday Open Space Bird Walk & Work Party

We’ll warm up with nature walk and focus on removal of invasive plants. Volunteers, please wear protective clothing,sturdy shoes, preferably long pants and long sleeves. Please bring drinking water. Gloves and tools provided. Go to the trail head between the columns. Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 3rd Ave NW & NW 145th St, Seattle, WA 98177
Contact: Glenn Austin, 206-364-9252, gaustin@path.org

Tue, 05/12: Seattle Parks Open House

Seattle voters overwhelmingly passed the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy on Nov. 4, 2008.  Come hear about this new levy and learn about the park projects in your neighborhood.
Parks is hosting four open houses throughout the city in May and we encourage you to come.
All meetings will be from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 4 at Rainier Community Center
  • Wednesday, May 6 at West Seattle Golf Course
  • Tuesday, May 12 at Green Lake Community Center
  • Wednesday May 13 at Parks Administration Building
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Green Lake Community Center
Contact: Karen O'Connor, (206) 233-7929

Wed, 05/13: Seattle Parks Open House

Seattle voters overwhelmingly passed the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy on Nov. 4, 2008.  Come hear about this new levy and learn about the park projects in your neighborhood.
Parks is hosting four open houses throughout the city in May and we encourage you to come.
All meetings will be from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 4 at Rainier Community Center
  • Wednesday, May 6 at West Seattle Golf Course
  • Tuesday, May 12 at Green Lake Community Center
  • Wednesday May 13 at Parks Administration Building
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Parks Administration Building
Contact: Karen O'Connor, (206) 233-7929

Wed, 05/13: Ballard District Council Meeting

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Ballard Library
Contact: Rob Mattson, Rob.Mattson@seattle.gov

Fri, 05/15: Bike to Work Day After-Party / Celebrate Summer Streets

Take over the streets in downtown Ballard with bikes, Sustainable Ballard's Undriver Licensing, and lots more!  For three hours we are turning the streets of downtown Ballard into one massive bike party! Swing by Seattle's coolest neighborhood after work or school and help celebrate Cascade Bicycle Club’s Starbucks Bike to Work Day. Come out to play on streets, enjoy fun interactive events and shop at local businesses.
Sponsored by Cascade Bicycle Club and the City of Seattle.
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: 22nd Ave NW between NW Market St and Ballard Ave NW, 4:00-7:00pm

Sat, 05/16: Carkeek STARS Volunteer Work Party

Join other enthusiastic volunteers for a fun morning of forest restoration and trails maintenance. We have a wide variety of tasks you can help with. We provide gloves and water (we encourage bringing your own water bottle, to reduce plastic waste). Please wear sturdy shoes. Follow the STARS signs to our meeting place. We're here the third Saturday of every month. Welcome! Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Carkeek Park, 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd, Seattle, WA 98177-4755
Contact: Dale Johnson, 206-362-2980, dalerayjohnson@comcast.net

Sat, 05/16: Golden Gardens Day in the Park Cleenup

Calling all volunteers: 200 needed to help us care for Seattle's Golden Gardens park. Come out and have fun and make a difference in your community! We'll tackle some of the bigger projects that need to be taken care of in Golden Gardens.

Sponsored by EarthShare Washington. For more information and to sign up, see their web site.

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Golden Gardens Park
Contact: Call 206.622.9840 or email info@esw.org for more information.

Sat, 05/16: Piper's Orchard Work Party in Carkeek Park

This month we will be weeding and thinning, while enjoying the beautiful spring weather in Piper's Orchard. Wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves. Pruners and other gardening tools would also be helpful. Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Piper's Creek Trail between McAbee entrance and Metro Pump
Contact: Don Ricks, donnieappleseed@aol.com

Tue, 05/19: Work Party to Install Garden Plant Markers

Register at the site on the day of the event.

Volunteers will install 100 plant markers in the garden that identify plants useful to wildlife. Work involves digging a 12" deep hole and burying a stake with a soup can anchor.

Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Carkeek Park Wildlife Garden
Contact: Rosemary Boros, 206 491-2662, rosemaryboros@yahoo.com

Mon, 05/25: Sustainable Ballard Monthly Gathering

Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Sunset Hill Community Club, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm