I've concluded that our community spirit is the result of two things: personal relationships and a sense of social responsibility. It doesn't have to be a big thing; it's just what happens when caring people get together.

I marvel at what we've accomplished together in the past few years, including Cove Park, the fish ladder and viewing plaza, and the south playground at Lincoln Park. The public art at each of these sites not only makes the space more interesting but also serves as a testiment to the people who cared to make their community better. If it can be sustained, the community spirit evidenced by these places is the most valuable accomplishment of all. 

Fauntleroy is home to exceptional Block Watch groups and to an amazing annual salmon watch that this past fall involved some 40 volunteers, from 18 months to 92 years old! Even those who aren't taking an active role in such programs feel better about Fauntleroy because they are there. 

Fauntleroy Church, the YMCA, and the teeming schoolhouse are cornerstones of our community. Whether in a meeting, a chat on the fly, a sports team, or a class, people are building new relationships here every day. And it doesn't have to happen in a formal setting. Morey's bench overlooking the cove is an example of the many informal gathering places that help create and sustain community spirit. 

In the Fauntleroy business district, people gather morning, noon, and night for one reason or another. In January, the Saffron Cow is taking part in a special community-building event called Conversation Week. As the Website (www.conversationcafe.org) proclaims, brilliant things can happen when you put strangers, caffeine, and ideas in the same room! 

What will you do in 2002 to meet, talk to, and work with other caring people in Fauntleroy? Here are a few suggestions: 

Reach out to neighbors you don't know. Introduce yourself, have coffee, or offer to lend a hand. And be sure to get them one of our outstanding welcome bags (contact Mary or Mike Ashby at 938-4806 or mikeashby@attbi.com).

On Neighbor Appreciation Day (Saturday, February 9 - see page 4), thank at least one neighbor for the things he or she does that make your life better. 

 Join FCA - and take a leadership role if you can - to meet people who care about each other and their community. 

Participate in at least one neighborhood event - perhaps FCA's popular Nature Night or our annual meeting. You'll find a diverse list on page 7. I encourage you to resolve this new year to be part of what makes Fauntleroy tick. Happy 2002!

Without strong advocacy by the community, the coho returning next fall to Fauntleroy Creek could have received quite a different reception from our traditionally warm welcome home.

Unbeknownst to the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, FCA, or the Ferry Advisory Committee until plans were well advanced, Washington State Ferries had scheduled major renovation of the ferry terminal during next fall's spawning season.  Just when spawners could be expected to school near the mouth of the creek (due north of the ferry pier), workers would be driving steel piles and replacing the seawall within a few yards of the creek.

The scheduling conflict came to light when WSF distributed a brochure to alert commuters to closure of the Fauntleroy and Southworth terminals for most of October 2002.

From anecdotal information and volunteer monitoring, we know that spawners gather in the cove weeks before they start their run up the creek in late October.  Our concern was that construction activity - especially the driving of 75 steel piles - would stress the fish and risk the return.

By the time we pointed out the problem to WSF, State Fish & Wildlife had issued a key environmental permit allowing the project to go forward as planned with no consideration of the creek or returning coho.  The marine specialist there acknowledged having overlooked the creek but offered public pressure as our only recourse to try to spare the fish.

Fortunately, we had data to substantiate our concern, a track record of citizen involvement and interest in the return, and staying power.  Also working in favor of the fish was a change in corporate culture at WSF.

If you've lived in Fauntleroy for more than a decade, you'll recall that ferry officials often gave the community short shrift.  Remember the pile-driving that jolted residents awake at 2 a.m.?  No one at WSF had thought to inform the community, much less discuss alternatives with us.

Under Paul Green, who directed the agency until last year, WSF demonstrated a growing emphasis on community relations.  When in years past, ferry officials would have said, "That's the way it is," now they're more likely to say, "Let's talk."

Though they didn't approach the community before scheduling the project, ferry officials did listen to the concerns we raised and respected our knowledge of the coho.  The negotiation process was hard work but I know the investment in time and energy to find a win-win solution will have long-term value for the agency, as well as for this community.

A score of watershed residents were involved in providing information, strategizing, and commenting on drafts.  As head of the Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee, Gary Dawson facilitated two meetings with ferry officials.  Key staff with Seattle Public

Utilities and Design, Construction, and Land Use attended as well to lend their expertise.

By year's end, we had reached a tentative agreement to present to the watershed council.  At the same time, WSF applied to State Fish & Wildlife for a new permit to cover an expanded scope of work.

On January 10, the watershed council voted to support restoration of ferry facilities in Fauntleroy Cove as scheduled if the project receives all necessary environmental permits.  The decision is predicated on WSF's commitment to

•  finish all pile-driving by October 15, barring unforeseen circumstances.

• make every effort to minimize in-water work when spawners are near the mouth of the creek.

• assist in communicating with residents and community groups about the project.

•  work with us to provide a vantage point on the pier to continue our observations of return 

• hire a biologist to provide monitoring and observations throughout terminal closure.

• activity in the cove, as state regulations and safety allow.

I believe the agreement we've negotiated will adequately protect the creek, but only the spawners can tell us if it will adequately protect the return.  Depending on what we learn about spawner behavior during construction, we're prepared to reopen the conversation.

 Scott Allen, 938-8818 scotthallen@yahoo.com

 Dennis Hinton, 937-1410 denhinton@aol.com

 Judy Pickens, 938-4203 judy_pickens@msn.com

Christy Tyson, 938-6274 Christytyson@earthlink.net

The project is primarily to replace worn-out components of the Fauntleroy terminal.

As shownbelow, creosote-treated timbers at the wingwalls, beach bulkhead, and 11 locations under the pier (trestle) will be replaced with steel.  The transfer span and tower headframe will be replaced also, as will 3,600 sq. ft. of the end of the trestle (including support piles).  Then the entire trestle will be repaved.

Work is to start Sept. 13, with terminal closure starting Sept. 21.  Assuming no "acts of God," the trestle will be ready for repaving (the last step) by Oct. 20.  The contract will have a financial incentive for finishing early and a penalty for finishing late.

Most piles will be driven by vibration, then proofed by percussion.  The most intensive period of pile-driving should be Sept. 29 to Oct. 15.  WSF will ask for a variance to the city's noise ordinance to allow extended hours of work, as needed, to stay on or advance the schedule.

In cooperation with FCA, the ferry system is identifying ways to communicate about the project with the neighborhood.  They will include detailed printed information to the households likely to be most affected and a presentation at FCA's April 16 annual meeting.

The director of the horticulture program at South Seattle Community College knew an opportunity when he saw one, as did Cove Park volunteer Ruth Lantz.

Last fall, the director accepted Ruth's invitation to provide students with real-world experience in Cove Park.  Working under his direction, the class will come in early spring to prune the shrubbery.  By then, she said, they'll know what to prune and how.

"The students' work won't substitute for regular maintenance of the park," she noted, "but they will make a very significant contribution.  It answers their needs and ours."

To give a hand maintaining the park (adjacent to the ferry pier), call Ruth at 932-0176.

WHERE TO REUSE, RECYCLE

• King County's Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of recyclers, businesses, and nonprofits interested in taking electronics, packing peanuts, and a host of other things off your hands (in some instances, for a fee).  See the reuse and recycling database at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/ greenworks.
• The "put and take" shelf at the Southwest branch of Seattle Public Library is a great place to recycle recent magazines (and find others to take home!).  The library also welcomes donated books in good condition, primarily for the annual Friends of the Library sale.
• Together with Alki Congregational, Fauntleroy Church is preparing to help resettle an Afghan refugee family of six.  Donations of kitchenware and bed and bath linens are especially needed.  Call the church office at 932-5600 for details.
  

While we look forward to a visit by Mayor Nickels after he gets settled into the job, we may soon have a chance to meet with Michael Thorne when we host the South Sound Ferry Advisory Committee meeting in February. 

Whether then or at a later date, we're taking advantage of every opportunity to make change happen in the right direction for this community.

WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

By Lynn Olson

She found that residents of many Seattle neighborhoods are concerned about aircraft noise and its resulting quality-of-life implications.  And she found a draft "noise letter" that she brought to the FCA Board's attention.

Free "Thank you, neighbor!" cards are available while they last at the West Seattle Neighborhood Service Center in the Alaska Junction near Petco.

Kim has contributed time and talent not just to maintaining financial records but also to planning and staffing many of the special events and activities that have touched people throughout the community.  We'll honor her exceptional contributions at FCA's April 16 annual meeting.

Between now and then, think about accepting this leadership opportunity or perhaps sharing it with another neighbor.  If being an officer isn't a fit for you right now, how about getting involved as a director?

DEAD SAILOR'S SECRET CACHE

By special request of residents here and on Vashon, Morey Skaret tells in full this tale of desperation, ingenuity, and kindness, illustrated by the original sketch from the P-I.

Like a lot of destitute single men during the Depression, Mr. Magnusson landed on Skid Road - 50 years old and within a few dollars of broke.  A lucky poker hand got him a skiff, though, and he rowed to Maury Island looking for a place to hide out.  He squatted on that bit of county land for at least 10 years.  Back then, you could squat anywhere and people would leave you alone as long as you didn't bother anyone.

Shortly after that, I went to sea for the war and we didn't get back to Maury Island until 1946.  As Dad and I approached the beach, he said, "Vell, it's very quiet..."  The windows were broken, the garden was full of weeds, and Mr. Magnusson was gone.

Without any records or money, the coroner had buried him as an unnamed pauper.

"Vell," Dad said, "ve don't want him treated as a pauper."  We took part of the money to the coroner to get Mr. Magnusson's name on his gravestone and gave the rest in his memory to Children's Hospital.