|
FAUNTLEROY 'POTLATCH' DEDICATES COVE PARK by Lynn Olson
Mardi Clements (right) set a brisk
pace and warm tone for speakers Photo courtesy Seattle Department of Neighborhoods After more than five years of community support and effort, Cove Park was officially dedicated in a public ceremony on June 16. The morning was reminiscent of a potlatch, more than 75 current and past neighbors gathered with city officials to enjoy music, food, and conversation and to share pride, thanks, and memories. Cove Park has been a labor of love for many Fauntleroy residents. It started with Mardi Clements’ idea to clean up the site just north of the ferry pier and make it a pocket park. Soon it grew into a creative collaboration involving state, county, and city agencies, FCA, and ArtsWest, among others. Cooperation and perseverance secured grant funding, design support, and plans for art compatible with the history of the site and current uses. With Mardi as emcee, the ceremony celebrated the many connections that occurred around the project and recognized several persons for their significant contributions. Mardi saluted each a symbolic "feather for your cap" and Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and Department of Neighborhoods Director Jim Diers echoed her words of appreciation. "Seattle is the nation’s leader in political support and city funding for neighborhood-based projects such as this," the mayor said. He reported being the envy of other mayors attending a recent national conference because of Seattle’s grassroots creativity and its funding of quality-of-life improvements. Project artist Tom Jay also gave the crowd something to think about when he spoke of the cove’s history and legacy reflected in the park's artwork. He will install his major, final piece - a raven sculpture - this fall. FCA honored Mardi and the other core volunteers - Ruth and Ware Lantz, Ann Curtz, Leon Harman, and Arthur Fleming - with tickets to an ArtsWest performance or gift certificates to West Seattle restaurants. The ceremony closed one chapter of Cove Park and opened another. The FCA Board has agreed to be responsible for long-term maintenance of the park and welcomes anyone interested in volunteering.
Mayor Paul Schell and Department of Neighborhoods
Director Jim Diers Photo courtesy Leon Harman
YARD WASTE ON BEACH FUELING SUMMER STENCH by Jill Hansen Now that August is here, so is, unfortunately, the infamous "Fauntleroy Stench." At low tide during hot weather, seaweed in the cove is exposed to intense sunlight and bacteria, causing it to decompose and give off hydrogen sulfide, a noxious gas with the smell we've all come to know so well. The odor has grown stronger year after year because of the growing abundance of seaweed on the beach in our cove. The major reason for this increase in seaweed production is pollution in the form of nitrogen, which acts as a fertilizer. The ferry pier exacerbates the problem by impeding the natural currents that would otherwise "flush out" at least some of the seaweed. Large quantities of seaweed get trapped in the cove, smother other plants, and ultimately rot, producing high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas during our warm summer months. Haul-Out of Seaweed I am continuing FCA's advocacy with the State Department of Ecology and other agencies for a long-term solution. As you may have noticed, ours isn't the only neighborhood affected by this problem. In the mean time, the Legislature allocated funds last year to remove seaweed from Fauntleroy Cove for two consecutive summers. Seaweed was first removed about 10 years ago and the process proved successful in reducing hydrogen sulfide levels here for about five years. We were fortunate to receive these funds and did so largely because of the public-health concern posed by hydrogen sulfide. The state has been monitoring levels of this gas in the cove for several years, collecting data that support this concern. The removal process involves harvesting the seaweed in nets, hauling it by boat out to mid-channel, and releasing it to sink into deep water. The state will pay for removal again this summer (which should have started by the time you receive this newsletter). After that, who knows? Behavior Part of Problem In addition to continuing to be "squeaky wheels" with regard to a lasting solution to this problem, we can improve the situation ourselves, especially those of us who live on the beach. Without question, dumping grass clippings, hedge trimmings, and other yard waste on the beach contributes to the problem. This practice has been customary in the cove for some time, but as with many other practices, it has been shown in recent years to be environmentally unsound. Many people believe that, because yard waste is biodegradable, letting the tide take it away is okay. What happens, though, is that it breaks down into nutrients that feed the seaweed, causing it to grow more rapidly and abundantly. What I often see in this cove is appalling - huge masses of grass clippings caught in the current or a hard day's worth of laurel-hedge trimmings on the beach. I've even seen Christmas trees that have been dumped, tinsel and all! This material is not natural to Puget Sound. It exacerbates the stench problem, kills other sea life, and dirties the water for waders and boaters. That's why dumping is illegal and violators are subject to a large fine if reported to the police. It's also inexcusable, now that Seattle offers a wonderful yard waste pick-up service for just $3 a month. In terms of the stench for the rest of the summer, the more we complain about it, the better. See the box on Page 1 for key phone numbers and feel free to call me at 937-9205 if you have questions or have information to share about this very smelly and serious concern.
WHERE TO REPORT STENCH Every time you smell the hydrogen sulfide, call Seattle-King County Public Health at 296-4632 Calls to these elected officials are also helpful:
Emphasize the need for continued funding to relieve summer peaks and
find FROM THE PRESIDENT'S NOTEPAD VOLUNTEERISM - A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY by Bruce Butterfield What are your passions? It’s likely that one of them is a good match for something FCA is doing to make this a better community. Over the years, neighborhood residents have acted on their passions by providing technical, creative, financial, and physical (labor) support for public projects, promotions, and community events. As a result, our parks are cleaner, the city council knows we're here, newsletters reach new neighbors, and our representatives on the Ferry Advisory Committee make sure our voice is heard. If you attended FCA's recent "Night Out Against Crime" barbecue, you saw, tasted, and enjoyed the work of volunteers. A small cadre of enthusiastic members was able to convert a simple idea into a festive and vibrant community event. It's a ready example of how a little effort, multiplied, can go a long way toward getting something worthwhile done. Several weeks ago we began using the enclosed volunteer sign-up form to channel people's passions and talents into volunteer tasks that need doing on a one-time or ongoing basis. Some keep FCA, the organization, humming along and some more directly benefit the neighborhood. The list fills a page but we know it doesn't reflect all the needs or interests of this community. That's what the "Other" line is for. Please use it to add something you see that needs doing - even if you're not able to do it yourself. Whatever way you can give a hand will be greatly appreciated. REPORTER AT LARGE: MY FIRST FAUNTLEROY SOCIAL by Brian Earl On August 1, my wife Sarah and I attended the first Fauntleroy Community Association social event since we moved to the neighborhood some two years ago. As we planned what to bring for a side dish to "Fauntleroy's Night Out Against Crime," we were concerned about what the weather would bring. We needn't have been; we walked to the barbecue in a beautiful summer evening. We found Captain’s Park full of activity, most of it neighborly discussions between long-time residents and, as we learned, many newer residents of our community. As we dined in full view of a glorious sunset, we got to know several neighbors. Like many communities in the American West, the Fauntleroy neighborhood is a collection of people who, like Sarah and me, migrated here from beyond the Puget Sound basin and decided to stay. I moved from Seattle to Salem to Vancouver to Portland and back to Seattle, finding Fauntleroy to be the place I want to live for a long time. Sarah grew up in the Midwest and is frequently awestruck by the natural beauty that surrounds us as we walk on the beach or through Lincoln Park. Much to her surprise, we have discovered several other Midwest transplants living here in Fauntleroy. The diversity of conversation was a unique and unexpected feature of our evening. To a newly settled resident, Fauntleroy seemed to be a quiet, staid community. But when I had the opportunity to dig below the surface, my impression changed. I realized that this place is greatly valued by those who choose to live here. I didn't hear people talking about the monetary value of their homes but rather about recent improvements that benefit everyone, such as the new benches by the fish ladder and, of course, Cove Park. I sensed a genuine concern for the general well-being of Fauntleroy, the place. Sarah and I met one of our neighbors, someone who lives on our block. We had known one another's name, but with our busy lives, we had never found the time to get acquainted. The barbecue gave us that time. We sat and talked, unhurried and relaxed, until the sky darkened and we headed back up the hill together discussing gardening. While we didn't come to any grand conclusions about garden styles, we did learn quite a bit more about each other. By the end of the evening, we had had the opportunity to touch base with many of our neighbors and to put faces with the names we see in the newsletter. As important, we had begun to build a relationship with a neighbor, finding common ground in gardens and landscape projects and in this place we call home. PROJECTS IMPROVE PARK, GIVE TEENS A HAND The landslide in Fauntleroy Park that has been contributing silt to the creek since early last year is undergoing a transformation. Landslide-related erosion repairs begun August 15 by Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks in the northeast sector of the park include positioning logs on the slide to redirect runoff, installing a runoff barrier at the toe of the slide, and stabilizing the slope with native plants. Other runoff-management work in the city's contract with Earth Corps will result in improvements to the main trail running along the north side of the park and to the streambanks at the big bridge. Eighteen young men from Consejo Counseling & Referral Service are assisting on the project. In early July, the teens began a second summer of weeding invasive plants in the park and shifted to the landslide project when it got under way. Their involvement is funded by a grant from the city. Formerly known as Cascadia Quest, Earth Corps provides young adults from this country and abroad with training in creek restoration, trail construction, and other stewardship skills. The crew on this project has members from Nepal, Kenya, the Philippines, New York, Nebraska, and Washington. "We're grateful to all parties for making room for Consejo to participate," said Friends of Fauntleroy Creek Coordinator Judy Pickens. "It's an exceptional opportunity for these teenagers to work with persons near their own age who model a commitment to the environment and positive values." Neighborhood volunteers helped supervise the Consejo crew and identify areas of the park in need of weeding. Fauntleroy Church provided a classroom for the tutoring in English and math that complemented work in the park.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S NOTEPAD VOLUNTEERISM - A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY by Bruce Butterfield What are your passions? It’s likely that one of them is a good match for something FCA is doing to make this a better community. Over the years, neighborhood residents have acted on their passions by providing technical, creative, financial, and physical (labor) support for public projects, promotions, and community events. As a result, our parks are cleaner, the city council knows we're here, newsletters reach new neighbors, and our representatives on the Ferry Advisory Committee make sure our voice is heard. If you attended FCA's recent "Night Out Against Crime" barbecue, you saw, tasted, and enjoyed the work of volunteers. A small cadre of enthusiastic members was able to convert a simple idea into a festive and vibrant community event. It's a ready example of how a little effort, multiplied, can go a long way toward getting something worthwhile done. Several weeks ago we began using the enclosed volunteer sign-up form to channel people's passions and talents into volunteer tasks that need doing on a one-time or ongoing basis. Some keep FCA, the organization, humming along and some more directly benefit the neighborhood. The list fills a page but we know it doesn't reflect all the needs or interests of this community. That's what the "Other" line is for. Please use it to add something you see that needs doing - even if you're not able to do it yourself. Whatever way you can give a hand will be greatly appreciated. REPORTER AT LARGE: MY FIRST FAUNTLEROY SOCIAL by Brian Earl On August 1, my wife Sarah and I attended the first Fauntleroy Community Association social event since we moved to the neighborhood some two years ago. As we planned what to bring for a side dish to "Fauntleroy's Night Out Against Crime," we were concerned about what the weather would bring. We needn't have been; we walked to the barbecue in a beautiful summer evening. We found Captain’s Park full of activity, most of it neighborly discussions between long-time residents and, as we learned, many newer residents of our community. As we dined in full view of a glorious sunset, we got to know several neighbors. Like many communities in the American West, the Fauntleroy neighborhood is a collection of people who, like Sarah and me, migrated here from beyond the Puget Sound basin and decided to stay. I moved from Seattle to Salem to Vancouver to Portland and back to Seattle, finding Fauntleroy to be the place I want to live for a long time. Sarah grew up in the Midwest and is frequently awestruck by the natural beauty that surrounds us as we walk on the beach or through Lincoln Park. Much to her surprise, we have discovered several other Midwest transplants living here in Fauntleroy. The diversity of conversation was a unique and unexpected feature of our evening. To a newly settled resident, Fauntleroy seemed to be a quiet, staid community. But when I had the opportunity to dig below the surface, my impression changed. I realized that this place is greatly valued by those who choose to live here. I didn't hear people talking about the monetary value of their homes but rather about recent improvements that benefit everyone, such as the new benches by the fish ladder and, of course, Cove Park. I sensed a genuine concern for the general well-being of Fauntleroy, the place. Sarah and I met one of our neighbors, someone who lives on our block. We had known one another's name, but with our busy lives, we had never found the time to get acquainted. The barbecue gave us that time. We sat and talked, unhurried and relaxed, until the sky darkened and we headed back up the hill together discussing gardening. While we didn't come to any grand conclusions about garden styles, we did learn quite a bit more about each other. By the end of the evening, we had had the opportunity to touch base with many of our neighbors and to put faces with the names we see in the newsletter. As important, we had begun to build a relationship with a neighbor, finding common ground in gardens and landscape projects and in this place we call home. PROJECTS IMPROVE PARK, GIVE TEENS A HAND The landslide in Fauntleroy Park that has been contributing silt to the creek since early last year is undergoing a transformation. Landslide-related erosion repairs begun August 15 by Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks in the northeast sector of the park include positioning logs on the slide to redirect runoff, installing a runoff barrier at the toe of the slide, and stabilizing the slope with native plants. Other runoff-management work in the city's contract with Earth Corps will result in improvements to the main trail running along the north side of the park and to the streambanks at the big bridge. Eighteen young men from Consejo Counseling & Referral Service are assisting on the project. In early July, the teens began a second summer of weeding invasive plants in the park and shifted to the landslide project when it got under way. Their involvement is funded by a grant from the city. Formerly known as Cascadia Quest, Earth Corps provides young adults from this country and abroad with training in creek restoration, trail construction, and other stewardship skills. The crew on this project has members from Nepal, Kenya, the Philippines, New York, Nebraska, and Washington. "We're grateful to all parties for making room for Consejo to participate," said Friends of Fauntleroy Creek Coordinator Judy Pickens. "It's an exceptional opportunity for these teenagers to work with persons near their own age who model a commitment to the environment and positive values." Neighborhood volunteers helped supervise the Consejo crew and identify areas of the park in need of weeding. Fauntleroy Church provided a classroom for the tutoring in English and math that complemented work in the park.
The landslide project will be completed in the fall when weather is suitable for transplanting.
MUCHO GRACIAS A community "thank-you" for the young men from Consejo will be Wednesday, August 30, at 3:30 p.m. at the Fauntleroy Park entrance on S.W. Barton. In the event of rain, it will be in the church hall.Come join city officials, agency staff, and project participants for refreshments and recognition of a job well done! VOLUNTEER NOW FOR ANNUAL SALMON WATCH As summer wanes, thoughts turn toward home, that is, if you're a Coho salmon. Since 1994, Coho have been returning to spawn in Fauntleroy Creek around Halloween time. The first sighting last year was on October 16 and the run continued for four weeks. Mark and Tyler Yoshida were the first to spot the fish. Now this father-son team has returned to coordinate the 2000 Fauntleroy Creek salmon watch. With on-site training provided by Seattle Public Utilities, two dozen volunteers counted nearly 100 returning Coho last year to help paint a countywide picture of salmon activity. The salmon watchers included individuals, couples, and family groups. "We'll be looking at the suggestions made by last year's volunteers to see how we can improve the information collected as well as the experience for everyone involved," Mark said. To inquire about volunteering or to sign up again, contact Mark or Tyler at 723-3948 or myoshida@ email.usps.gov. On-site training will be offered in late September and the watch will start mid October. 'FRIENDS' REMOVE SECOND CAMP IN FAUNTLEROY PARK During a work party in early August, Friends of Fauntleroy Park volunteers found and removed an encampment that had apparently been home to one person for several weeks. Sightings by a neighbor walking in the park and by children on a field trip to Fauntleroy Creek put them on the alert and helped pinpoint the location. It was the second encampment removed by park stewards in cooperation with Seattle Parks security staff. The first, found in March of last year, appeared to have been used as a hideout by thieves who were burglarizing nearby homes. "The man this summer seems to have been harmless but any encampment is cause for concern," emphasized Friends Coordinator Karen Farnsworth. "They are a hazard to public health and safety as well as to the natural habitat within park boundaries." If you see someone who appears to be living in the park or evidence of a camp, call Karen immediately at 935-5313 or the Seattle Parks maintenance office in Lincoln Park at 684-7457. COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMITTEE MEETING: The Friends of Fauntleroy Park steering committee will meet on Tuesday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the library at Fauntleroy Church. Guests will include Adam Cole, a trails specialist with Seattle Parks. Anyone interested in helping direct volunteer activities in the park is welcome to attend. Questions? Call Christy Tyson at 938-6274. FORUM: "Helping Children Deal With Violence" is the topic of a free community forum on Wednesday, September 20, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church. It will focus on effective techniques being used in school and community settings. For questions or to request childcare, call the church office at 932-5600. RECITAL: The next afternoon recital in the Fauntleroy Church sanctuary will be Sunday, October 8, at 2 p.m. Flutist Patrick Purswell and pianist Joan Purswell will play an informal program of solo and ensemble works by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Peter Schikele (P.D.Q. Bach), and Zez Confrey. Admission is by donation and children are especially encouraged to attend. Questions? Call the church office at 932-5600. PARK NEEDS YOU Upcoming weekend work parties coordinated by Friends of Fauntleroy Park will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on September 9 and 10, October 7 and 8, and November 4 and 5. While helping improve the park, these work parties enable volunteers to get acquainted with neighbors who share their interest in native plants, wildlife, or outdoor recreation. Call Karen Farnsworth (935-5313) or Luli Weatherwax (938-1567) to find out where to meet and what to bring. Supervised children welcome! STUDY SORTING OUT FERRY SYSTEM FUNDING By Gary Dawson If you've been thinking that a lot more vehicles have been queued for the Fauntleroy ferry on recent weekends, you're right. As I previewed in this space a few months ago, budget cuts forced Washington State Ferries to back away from plans to support the Vashon-Southworth-Fauntleroy run with an additional vessel on summer weekends. The seasonal volume is particularly noticeable during weekends with special events on Vashon or in Kitsap County and during disruptions on the Narrows Bridge. Vessel availability is at a critical state this summer and ferry officials are very concerned that having a boat out of service long term, for any reason, would have drastic effects on commuters. Fauntleroy would have a longer queue, more congestion, and difficult access to Lincoln Park and adjacent streets. The Legislature funded the ferry system through June 2001 only, with no provisions for growth. It also appointed a task force to study funding options and make recommendations by the start of the next session in January. Panel members represent the House, Senate, ferry advisory committees, employee unions, Kitsap and Island counties, various other interests, and the office of the ferry system's director. The task force is studying several issues, including privatizing, tariffs tied to level of service, capital funding structure and allocation, and whether or not the ferry system should continue as part of the State Department of Transportation. What the panel has to say about these complex issues could determine the future of cross-sound transportation. Meanwhile, traffic increases through our neighborhood and the queue gets longer. ENVIRONMENTAL TOUR OF WATERSHED 'LINK BY LINK' EXPLORES WATER-RELATED HABITATS Friends of Fauntleroy Creek is in the process of unveiling its most extensive educational resource: Link by Link, an "environmental tour" of six water-related habitats in the watershed. Students chose text and images for the stones that mark the sites and suggested on-site activities to help kids their own age learn about each habitat. "The tour promotes awareness and stewardship of urban watersheds among youngsters kindergarten through fifth grade and can be taken as school field trips or family outings," explained Brooke Best who with Judy Pickens developed the project. Chimacum artist Tom Jay created an image of an alevin (young salmon) that is on all the stones and refined the children's designs for individual stones. Habitats, stone locations, and partner schools are
Free tour materials will be available starting in mid September in two versions: a parent packet and a larger teacher's packet. The parent version has
The teacher version has camera-ready copies of all of the above, plus an extensive classroom guide. King County Water and Lands Resources funded the project. Other partners included Seattle Parks, Seattle Transportation, and Fauntleroy Church. Residents Morey Skaret, Jane MacGowan, David Galbraith, and Karen Farnsworth contributed time and expertise. Watch FCA's Web site at www.scn.org/ neighbors/ fauntleroy for a list of locations where packet will be available. For more information, contact Brooke Best at 923-2906 or Judy Pickens at 938-4203.IN THE KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
The FCA Board meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month (except summer) in the boardroom of the former Fauntleroy School. Meetings are open to all members. Call the president about the agenda. FCA's mailing address is P.O. Box 47087, Seattle 98146-7087. Our Web site is www.scn.org/ neighbors/fauntleroy. To comment on or suggest an article for this newsletter, contact editor Judy Pickens at 938-4203.
SAND POOL FULL OF SUMMERTIME FUN For three summers between high school and World War II, Morey Skaret earned 30 cents an hour lifeguarding at the original pool at Point Williams in Lincoln Park. Here he recalls that popular hot-weather destination in Fauntleroy. What fascinated me as a young man and still does today is how simply the original pool at Point Williams operated. It was dug and operated entirely by hand, with no machinery of any sort. And it was very clean, not the mud hole that some describe. The city built the pool in 1925. As I recall, officers of the Knights Templar, a national men's group, had expressed interest in having their convention in Seattle and wanted to establish an "auto camp" for their families at Lincoln Park. They knew that offering a chance to swim in saltwater would be a big draw, especially for members from inland states. The saltwater natatorium at Luna Park would not be convenient and Puget Sound's 52-degree water would not to their liking! So the city decided to build a sun-warmed outdoor pool in the sand at Point Williams. It had a bit of a lagoon then, with a few inches of water left by the tide. That's where city engineers laid out the pool.
At 80 feet wide and 200 feet long, it was larger than the concrete Colman Pool that replaced it in 1941. It was shallow on the north end for wading and nine feet deep on the south end, where we had a springboard for diving. It had a 45-degree bank where people could lie out on the sand. I'm sure it was dug by teams of horses pulling fresnos and smaller scoops. The West Side Story says a steam shovel was involved, which I suspect was needed to dig through the cobble to lay the intake pipe across the beach; it wouldn't have been needed for digging in the sand. That pipe was two or three feet in diameter and had a gate valve with a screen filter. The tide would send water through the pipe to fill the pool and gravity would empty it; all we had to do was open and close that gate valve. We changed the water about every four days - never more than five - and used a chemical test to tell us when it was time. I remember turning the wheel to open the gate at low tide and watching the water rush out. Then as the tide came in, the pool would fill in about three hours and the screen would trap sizable debris. It let in small fish, though, and shiners and candlefish would swim around along with everyone else! On Sundays, mothers and dads brought picnic lunches and sat on the east side more or less in the shade and watched their kids. We were almost always full. The first day after changing the water, it was still cold but, as it warmed, more people came. The bathhouse at the north end was also run without machinery of any sort. Five or ten cents would get you a basket with a number on it and a safety pin with the same number on it to attach to your swimsuit in order to claim your basket. After you'd had your swim, you could wring out your suit with a manual wringer outside the bathhouse so you wouldn't have to walk home with a dripping suit.
I remember that children really liked to wear cloth badges on their swimsuits. The young kids who wanted to get what we called a "pollywog" badge had to earn it by doing some work. During the four days that the pool was filled, a lot of debris would collect there. Every time we emptied the pool, we had to clean it so we would line up a dozen of these pollywogs on one bank, give them each a rake, and set them to raking toward a mark on the opposite bank. They put the debris in pails as they raked and emptied their pails when they got to the other side. Then we moved them over and set them to raking the other way. That experience taught them a work ethic. At first, some of them didn't know which end of the rake to put down! They got good at it, though, and were proud of their work. After so many hours, we gave them a pollywog badge. Bigger kids earned a junior lifeguard badge. Children who were there when we emptied the pool got an early lesson in protecting the natural world. The teacher whose summer job was supervising the pool gave youngsters little nets and buckets to catch the many sea creatures that were trapped as the pool emptied and then let them go in the sound. The children took pride in saving lives. We always had one lifeguard on duty and another trained person working around the bathhouse who would help in an emergency. I had many occasions to pull people out. I don't know what was adverse about the old pool but health reasons probably argued for its replacement by the concrete pool that's there now. 20 YEARS OF CONNECTING COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP KEY TO FCA'S CONTINUED VIBRANCY by Lynn Olson This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Fauntleroy Community Association. Established to give voice to community concerns about ferry issues, FCA evolved to encompass watershed issues, nurture neighborhood improvements, and connect community. Membership involvement and a strong sense of community are what make this a unique neighborhood organization. Consider the history of advocacy here. Ferry expansion proposals, traffic and parking concerns, Fauntleroy Creek, Cove Park, and "the stench" have all brought people and voices together to make changes in public policy and lend a hand to improve the quality of life in this neighborhood. Consider the opportunities for social connections here. The Nature Forum, the recent barbecue and fondly remembered salmon dinners, and community meetings have brought together neighbors who value really knowing their neighbors and enjoying the quality of life here as a community. Membership is key. FCA exists because of and for its members. Members suggest ideas and implement projects. Members write and pay for this newsletter. Members combine forces to be the match for grants that fund local projects. We need members' ideas, involvement, and dues to continue this vibrancy. As I'm sure you've noticed, the demographics of this neighborhood are changing and it's important that new neighbors feel welcome and a part of this special place. Being connected to the community increases safety, reduces stress, and instills pride. When you extend a welcoming hand to new neighbors, please reach out for FCA as well. (See the box below about our new "welcome wagon" packet!) Invite them to a general meeting or social event. Ask them to consider joining FCA or volunteering to help with a community project. We'll all benefit. 'WELCOME WAGON' PACKET AVAILABLE SOON Starting in October, FCA will have a "welcome wagon" packet of information for newcomers about the neighborhood and association. Call Phil Sweetland at 938-4203 to request a packet for a new neighbor down the street or down the hall. You may pick up the packet to deliver yourself or ask that a volunteer do so. Also call if you think a new neighbor might benefit from talking with a member of FCA's board.
|
