The annual “Pig Out” to fight hunger will happen across North Seattle on October 14th, 2010 including some of the top restaurants in Phinney Ridge and Greenwood. A portion of sales from designated restaurants listed below will be donated to soup kitchens that serve almost 200 meals per week to low income, disabled, and elderly neighborhood restaurants. The event is a “Pig Out” because a portion of meals from breakfast, lunch, and dinner all go to help the needy. Last year – the event raised over $4,000 for the Phinney soup kitchens and you can help out while having a great meal. PhinneyRidge.org is a huge advocate of this event and encourages you to participate in this worthy cause to help the hungry.

Participating Restaurants:
74th Street Ale House
Baranof Restaurant
Barking Dog Alehouse
Carmelita
Fatty’s Corner Pizzeria
Fresh Flours
In the Red Wine Bar
Kouzina
Mae’s Phinney Ridge CAfe
New Noodles
Oliver’s Twist
Picnic
Porst!
Red Mill Burgers
Romio’s Pizza
Santa Fe Cafe
Stumbling Goat
Wingdome
Yanni’s Greek Restaurant

You can also donate directly to help the hungry by sending a check to the Phinney Neighborhood Association at 6532 Phinney Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103. Get more information or your questions answered by calling 206-783-2244.

Come out for amazing deals and secret finds at the Seventeenth annual Greenwood Garage Sale Day! It’s a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and find new deals for your home.

In addition to garage sales and rummage sales all over the neighborhood (see map), there will also be:
* A Flea Market in Phinney Neighborhood Center lower parking lot,
* A Tool Sale at the Tool Library,
* A Rummage Sale at the Greenwood Senior Center

Phinney Ridge Townhouse Zoning

As the Seattle City Council considers changing design requirements for low-rise multifamily housing, the Phinney Ridge Community Council is considering how the changes would affect the Greenwood-Phinney urban village. Public meetings and an environmental review hearing about the new zoning ordinance will take place in May, ahead of a City Council vote in June.

At this month’s meeting, PRCC president Irene Wall explained that the zoning proposal, started by former mayor Greg Nickels, deals with everything from housing designs to parking. As an “urban village,” the Phinney area would be particularly affected.

Parking is one possible concern. Because new low-rise developments in urban villages are exempt from certain on-site parking requirements, that could push more cars into the already-crowded street parking equation in Phinney. On the other hand, removing on-site parking requirements gives designers more freedom to experiment with multi-family housing designs other than the 4-pack townhouses that have popped up all over Seattle in the past few years. It also means cheaper housing, and creates an incentive to drive less often.

Those unpopular townhouse designs are the reason behind the proposed ordinance. It would divide low-rises into several different categories, making townhouses one option, but not the only option. At the PRCC meeting, Wall explained that this “housing categories” scheme doesn’t deliver the simplified zoning that Nickels promised. In fact, she said, it’s a lot more complicated. It also adds additional landscaping and building facade requirements, among other changes designers will have to consider.

The ordinance wouldn’t change the existing multifamily homes in Phinney, but would almost certainly have a bearing on the future face of the neighborhood. Whether neighbors see it as a progressive step in the right direction, or a misstep that clashes with the character and design of the neighborhood remains to be seen.

You can read the ordinance for yourself at the Seattle City Council website, and view illustrations and data about the types of houses it would encourage. The PRCC hasn’t taken an official position on multifamily zoning or sent a message to the City Council yet, but Wall encouraged neighbors to become familiar with the ordinance before the next meeting.

The PRCC meets at the Phinney Neighborhood Center at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Anyone is welcome to attend and discuss this or any other neighborhood issue. Thanks to our generous sponsor for support of this blog and related community efforts – Phoenix Airport Shuttles.

The PRCC boundaries are Aurora Ave to 8th N.W. and 46th Street to North 75th St. Along with people who live in that area, anyone who owns a business or property within those boundaries is eligible to serve.

We are normally quite informal and consider our primary goal just to be in place, then if something happens in the neighborhood that needs attention or a “community voice” we are able to respond quickly and speak up for our neighborhood early in the planning process.

The minimum involvement as a board member includes attending the monthly meetings and weighing in on the occasional group e-mail. There are opportunities to do more, such as attending meetings or writing letters on PRCC’s behalf, but it is not required.

Our agenda is shaped largely by input from people who attend our meetings – most frequently Phinney Ridge residents who are feeling frustrated by the response, or lack of response, they are getting from the city on a problem that most commonly includes traffic, safety, zoning and land use. PRCC board members often bring agenda items to the meetings based on their experiences or at the request of neighbors. We also get occasional guest speakers such as candidates running for office, city planners hoping to build support for a new or proposed city policy, or those who can help shed light on a complicated issue.

Most often we give advice and help connect neighbors with problems to other neighbors who can, or are willing to help. If we decide to take a side in an issue, we often draft a statement, then send it to the appropriate parties. If there is a neighborhood issue someone wants to deal with, the PRCC is a great way to find other people who might share your views and can help.

The board is a nice group of open-minded people, pretty low key, so all input and all styles of people are welcome and encouraged. We really could use some fresh faces, especially any neighborhood business owners and condo and apartment dwellers as they are currently not represented on the board at all.

Even if people are not interested in serving on the board, we are trying to raise awareness that we are there and really encourage “drop ins” at our meetings.

Diane Duthweiler dduthweiler@comcast.net (206) 782-1420

It’s on. The two top homes for holiday lights in Greenwood Phinney are dominating the votes at the annual Wacktastic Light Show contest. Unless you make your voice heard – these homes will battle for the top prize. Check out what they have to offer – and contribute to our country’s democracy.

731 North 88th Street

6819 Phinney

Awards Party

There will be a party at the Greenwood Collective (8537 Greenwood Avenue North) on December 20th 4p to 8p to honor the residents who won the community poll for favoritest lights!

4-6pm: Food and drink provided by lovely local Greenwood restauranteurs

Hot chai from Morning Glory Chai
a keg o’ beer from Naked City (we’ll have to make sure you’re over 21 for this goody)
… plus an ongoing slide show of entries and (if we’re really, really good) a roving Santa

… plus any donations to the Greenwood Food Bank collected

6-6:45pm: The Christmas musical stylings of band, Green Handshake

7 to 8p: Awards Ceremony and Prizes emceed by Rat City Rollergirl Mascot, Rocketman Houllahan. The results of the community vote revealed! The wackiest store display as determined by Esteemed Wacktastic Judges!

In preparation for the big day, Couth Buzzard is actively soliciting volunteer help for sorting and shelving thousands of books. This Saturday and Sunday, (December 12-13) the owners will be hosting all-day work parties, so stop by if you have a chance and lend a hand!

Contact Couth Buzzard directly at 206 436-2960 or call Theo Dzielak (206 418-9522, melodyplay@earthlink.net) for more information.

By: Alicia Craven

Community Arson Prevention Meeting

Tuesday night’s community meeting about the wave of arsons plaguing Greenwood was so well-attended that the basement of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church reached capacity. About 15 minutes into the meeting, city councilmember Jean Godden arrived, announcing that 100-150 more people were waiting upstairs. A second meeting took place later, to accommodate all the neighbors who showed up.

Chiefs from the Seattle Police and Seattle Fire Department weren’t able to tell the huge crowd — which included multiple city council members and mayor-elect Mike McGinn — what they came to hear: who might be behind the string of 14 fires set in Greenwood since June. The Police Department doesn’t have a true profile of the arsonist (or arsonists) yet, and they couldn’t say why small businesses seem to be the main targets. Visible and invisible police patrols have been stepped up around the neighborhood, and the fire department also now sends two trucks to every suspected fire, in hopes of catching it early.

Every speaker at the meeting emphasized community involvement in stopping the arsons. All of the fires so far have been set using readily-available combustible materials, and the fire department urged residents and business owners to clear trash from around their buildings. The combustibles in one of the fires apparently came from over a mile away.

The police aren’t discouraging citizen patrols, and they’re asking the community to provide extra eyes and ears. They are discouraging confronting any suspicious people. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call 911 instead. The fire department also addressed rumors about business owners sleeping in their businesses overnight. They strongly advise against it, saying it doesn’t protect your store, and only puts you at risk and makes it harder for firefighters to work.

The Police, Fire Department and mayor’s office all offered resources to help residents who want to do something about the arsons:

For help with dead streetlights or overflowing dumpsters, call the City’s general customer service line at (206) 684-CITY.

There will be a joint Police and Fire webpage with information about the ongoing investigation. Until then, the Police website lists some non-emergency numbers you can call with tips.

Phinney Yoga House

PR.o: How did you decide to start a yoga center here in Phinney Ridge?

Christy: I had been teaching around Seattle at a variety of studios for about 8 years and was seeking a more permanent home. I joined forces with Jennifer Keeler, who directs Yoga Momma and we formed the Phinney Yoga House at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. We moved into the Phinney Neighborhood Center around 18 months ago and really love the interaction with community members and the vibrant offerings in a central spot for families of all ages. The Yoga Momma portion of the offerings by Jennifer are typically offered later in the evenings to be convenient for Moms with children and their busy schedules. Yoga Momma also offers pre-natal and children’s yoga classes that have been a big success with our students.

Phinney Ridge Yoga Studio

Christy: Our program offer classes in the Kripalu, Integral and Viniyoga traditions. These styles tend to focus on the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of yoga and adapt practices to meet individual needs. They are often distinguished from the more “power “ oriented yoga classes offered around town—like the Vinyasa or Ashtanga styles that tend to be stronger and faster paced. I’ve been drawn to the styles at our studio because I feel that they are incredibly accessible for a wide spectrum of student needs. We have students that range from kids who are 14 years of age, to students in their 90’s! It makes it a very community oriented program.

PR.o: Can you be more specific on how you work with Seattle’s Phinney Ridge and Greenwood communities?

Christy: We are very focused on community oriented integration and events. We work closely with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society who is sponsoring students in our classes. These students attend our regular classes. Our teachers are very experienced in working with people with MS and other physical challenges and will adapt practices depending on what each student needs. We additionally offer a free class in Ballard for people with MS (The Embrace the Moon Studio) – the Ballard studio is fully accessible for students in wheelchairs or who may have mobility issues. Our yoga approach is highly adaptive– which is a great match for the spectrum of students that we serve.

PR.o: Are there other types of yoga that you offer besides the Kripalu style?

Christy: We also offer the Integral and Viniyoga method, which is similar in its adaptive approach to serve the spectrum of students. We are really looking to create offerings that leverage the community space for the neighborhood.

PR.o: Can you share some of the community events you are involved in?

Christy: We offer a free monthly mediation circle for the community and have collaborated with the Phinney Center on several events so far. As part of the Phinney Neighborhood Center celebration in June, we offered a chalk drawing activity for local families. We’d like to increase our participation more and are working with the art community on a number of projects. We will be starting up a branch of Artslaunch at our studio, a non-profit forum for local visual artists, choreographers, composers, and writers. Hosted during the Greenwood Artwalks, it will be a free event although visitors can donate if they wish – the major goal is to support the local arts community.

PR.o: How do you differ from other yoga studios around the Seattle area?

Christy: I think many yoga studios are offering a strong “power” oriented yoga practice like Ashtanga or Vinyasa or stronger Hatha yoga flows. These offerings are oriented more towards the athleticism of the physical practice . This is a great approach for a lot of people. On the other hand, our offerings are applicable to a broad spectrum of students of varying abilities and ages, as our approach is so adaptive to different needs. The Vinyasa method of yoga is a vigorous flow – you really can build up a sweat . We do offer classes at the Phinney Yoga House of varying physical levels (from very gentle to strong)—yet they are definitely all on the more highly meditative end of the yoga spectrum.

Phinney Yoga House was nominated by Seattle’s King 5 news and local students as one of the best yoga studios in Western Washington. Some of the students that nominated the studio say:
“…This is a place that adapts to each of us, makes all feel welcome, and truly helps us at our own levels….”

“….Gifted, skillful, soulful teachers. Beautiful welcoming space. Accommodating location, environs and class schedule. Positively contributing to the community….”

“…The studio space is inviting and calming. Jennifer is a talented, intuitive and compassionate instructor….”

PR.o: The Yoga Momma service is great for the community also. Can you tell us more about it?

Jen: We serve women and families and are a lovely compliment to PRY offerings at the House. Our big programs are the Yoga for Moms program (just for moms), offered three nights per week later in the evening, Prenatal Yoga, and Kids programs. We will begin a Family Yoga offering this Fall, and on October 3rd we’ll have FREE classes to celebrate our 4 years.

I had been teaching at the Phinney Neighborhood Association for a couple of years prior to our studio space becoming available, and continuing to be a part of the PNA was a hopeful vision of mine for growth. Christy’s reputation in the community drew me to see if she would enjoy partnering in the studio, and it has been a lovely, committed partnership ever since. Yoga Momma celebrates 4 years on the ridge this October – prior to teaching at the PNA I had been on a smaller studio on 3rd Ave NW & NW 70th St (MotionSense Movement Studio.) My program truly has evolved out of the Phinney Community, growing to meet the needs and desires of local families through a passion for yoga.

We want to sincerely thank both Jen and Christy for sharing their work and their spiritual combination of exercise to serve the Phinney Ridge and nearby Greenwood neighborhoods.

Ed Medeiros, the executive director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association is retiring after 29 years of great service to the organization. The job is posted here. After the purchase of the Phinney Neighborhood site from the Seattle School District – it is a high impact time for the organization to build community and infrastructure in the Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods. We are thankful and proud of Ed Medeiros almost 30 years of service and accomplishments for the community and excited for the next phase of leadership in Phinney Ridge.

Phinney Neighborhood Center – 6532 Phinney Avenue North, Seattle

6010 Phinney Building

The proposed four-story mixed-use building at 6010 Phinney Ave. is one step closer to becoming a reality, after being approved by the Design Review Board in a public meeting at Ballard High School on Tuesday. About 30 neighbors showed up to comment on the latest plans for a building that’s slated to go in where Rooster’s Breakfast Club, Daily Planet, Chef Liao and the Phinney Dry Cleaners now stand. The new design addressed a lot of neighbors’ previous concerns, but nearly every speaker at the meeting had the same big problem with the new plans: the location of the driveway leading in and out of the building’s underground parking garage.

Architects from Kilburn, LLC, ran through 14 different changes that attempted to address neighbors’ concerns from the previous Design Review Board meeting back in February. These included things like reducing the size of one of the building’s stair towers, using materials that more closely match other buildings in the neighborhood, and creating a transparent canopy over the sidewalk instead of a solid brick one. Ventilation between the ground floor and the roof has also been added, which will allow restaurants to move into the building’s retail spaces. While most of the audience were pleased with the changes, the location of the driveway remains a sore spot for neighbors.

The driveway was initially going to be located on Phinney Ave., but that changed at the previous DRB meeting in February. The board recommended moving it around the corner to 61st St., where there’s generally less pedestrian traffic. After that meeting, the architects redrew the entire plan from the ground up to accommodate the new driveway. The developers claim this nearly doubled their design costs. However, neighbors were concerned that a driveway on 61st would provide less visibility for cars coming out of the underground garage and pose a danger to pedestrians. The Design Review Board said that the sight triangle at the driveway was large enough to meet code.

Moving the driveway back to Phinney would also significantly break up the retail storefronts on the busiest side of the building. During deliberations, members of the Board said that they’ve been approving driveways on side streets with less foot traffic all over the Northwest. Neighbors argued that the Roycroft Condominiums, right across the street from 6010, use a driveway on Phinney. The Board discussed this point . The developers, for their part, say they’re just “taking the City’s lead” and doing what they can to comply with code.

The Design Review Board is only one step in the process of getting the building at 6010 approved. To secure a Master Use Permit and start building, the site also has to pass an environmental review. The results of the environmental testing should be available to the public next week, but developers said that preliminary reports show some contaminants in the soil. It won’t be clear how much contamination, or whether it’s from chemicals used at the dry cleaner that’s been on the site for decades, until the final report comes out.