The community club and neighbor Bonnie Zinn are collecting names of potential babysitters for a list to be published on our web site (www.scn.org/neighbors/laurelhurst). If you would like to be included, email bonniezinn@hotmail.com or send a note to Bonnie Zinn, 4828 N.E. 40th St., Seattle, WA 98105. Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number, age, experience and/or training, references, and the days and times you are available.
The list will be published as soon as sufficient names are collected, and it will be updated periodically.
The classes are held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children's also offers a class in cardiopulmonary resusitation (CPR) for youths, 11-15, who have completed the babysitting course. Topics include safety, risk factors, healthy heart living, infant/child CPR, and treatment of choking.
The classes are held Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The fee for both classes is $25, and the next classes are scheduled for June 8. Call 789-2306 for more information.
"The drop-off station provides a wonderful service for neighbors while at the same time supporting the important work of Seattle Goodwill," President Jeannie Hale told Village management. "We hope you will consider allocating space once again."
The Village responded that it hasn't definitely ruled out the Goodwill trailer's return, but said the operation takes up as many as seven valuable parking spaces. It said the shopping center has tried to assist Goodwill in finding another drop-off spot, but so far, no agreement has been reached.
Goodwill has served the Seattle area for 77 years, providing employment training and basic education to individuals who would otherwise suffer significant economic deprivation. Proceeds from the sale of donated items, such as those formerly dropped off at University Village, make these programs possible.
To add your voice in support of Goodwill returning to University Village, write a letter to: Director of Development, University Village, 1301 Fifth Ave., Suite 3000, Seattle, WA 98101.
In another matter concerning U. Village, the Northeast District Council, representing 19 business and community organizations, has asked the shopping center to reconsider its policy to stop recyling mixed paper products.
The council first learned of the new policy via an April 2 article in the UW student newspaper The Daily. They later obtained a copy of a memo sent by management to all U. Village merchants.
"Due to cost considerations, there will be no mixed-paper recycling bin provided for tenant use," the memo stated.
The following week, the Seattle Weekly quoted U. Village marketing director Mrya Gose, who said the shopping center had decided to discontinue recycling because its carrier, Emerald City Disposal, wanted to charge too much. That article went on to say that according to Gose, U. Village hopes to restore mixed-paper recycling sometime in the future.
In a letter to U. Village general manager Susie Plummer, the Northeast District Council stated: "Seattle has an international reputation for recycling and Seattle businesses are doing their part to keep up that reputation by reducing, reusing, and recycling their solid wastes."
It continued: "As one of northeast Seattle's largest employers, we hope you will choose to set an example in our community for sound environmental stewardship."
Construction of the four-story facility is scheduled to begin in July. It will take about a year and a half to complete and entail the excavation of some 20,000 cubic yards of dirt, which will be trucked out via the hospital's main entrance on Sandpoint Way.
In a letter to the city Department of Design, Construction, and Land Use (DCLU), LCC President Jeannie Hale acknowledged that Children's has initiated a number of measures to minimize the adverse effects of construction on neighbors. They include installing a storm-water overflow system to accommodate excess runoff and tying in any additional drains desired by Laurelon Terrace neighbors, orienting lights away from neighbors and providing landscaping to obstruct off-site light spillage, and providing a remote off-site parking area for construction workers' vehicles.
Hale noted, however, that some of these provisions are light on specifics. She asked that more detailed information be provided so the hospital's performance can be measured.
She particularly asked for information as to how the hospital proposes to minimize noise and vibrations. "As a result of the recent garage project," she said, "we have heard from neighbors about cracks in plaster due to vibration of the equipment. We would like assurance that acoustical, enclosure, or other mitigation measures will be sufficient to protect the homes of our neighbors."
Earlier this year, the View Ridge Community Council expressed concern because the plans call for increasing the amount of on-site parking by only seven spaces-from 11 to 18. However, a transportation consultant found that there are enough parking spaces on city streets around the building to handle any anticipated increase in library patronage.
"We are satisfied with the conclusions of the Traffic and Parking Impact Analysis that there is sufficient on-street parking capacity to accommodate the additional parking demand," LCC President Jeannie Hale told City Librarian Deborah Jacobs. "We see no need to revise the plans to provide additional parking at the expense of reducing space within the library for patrons at this heavily used facility."
"Doing so would likely substantially increase costs and delay the project," she added..
Scheduled for completion in 2003, the project will add approximately 7,900 square feet of floor space to the library's existing 7,100 square feet-virtually doubling the size of the facility. Included in the plan is a meeting room for 100 people.
As usual, members also will elect a slate of candidates to serve as trustees for the next two years.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. The location is Laurelhurst Community Center, 4554 N.E. 41st St. Light refreshments will be served at 6:45 p.m., so come early to chat with trustees and meet new neighbors!
The foundation also is seeking an accountant to serve on its board.
If you are interested in either opportunity to volunteer, please call Jean Shearer at 524-1577 or email her at jkshearer@attbi.com.
The Friends of Laurelhurst Elementary School Foundation is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Its goals are to support the local elementary school and to promote a positive image of Seattle public schools in general.
If you attended Laurelhurst and/or know someone else who did, they'd like to know. Please email your name, address, and the years you attended to karendonohue@ mindspring.com Or send it on a postcard to "Friends of Laurelhurst," 4603 N.E. University Village #406, Seattle, WA 98105.
The facility does not accept large appliances, furniture, toys, or clothing. If you have anything to donate, please call the Sand Point Housing Office at 517-5499.