Weekend Guide: Buy trees, plant trees and meet Ballard writers

Guest — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 17:28:45 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 11/23/2012 - 9:28am

Photo courtesy of Boy Scouts troop 100

Boy Scout Troop 100 annual Christmas tree sale

Boy Scout Troop 100 kicks off its annual Christmas tree sale the weekend after Thanksgiving at St. Alphonsus Church, located on 15th Ave NW and NW 57th St. This is the one and only annual fundraiser for the troop, a tradition of nearly 60 years in the Ballard community.

Top-quality trees of all shapes and varieties are hand-picked by some of the troop's fathers and sons. The trees are freshly cut and replenished every few days and are guaranteed fresh.

This is a troop with a big heart. Community service plays an important part in building character, and these boys regularly volunteer their time and efforts to make positive contributions to the Ballard community. Many of their trees are donated to those less fortunate. The money raised enables the scouts to participate in many wonderful activities throughout the year.

The tree lot will be open from November 24th until December 15th, or until supplies last.

Planting party at North Beach Park

On Saturday, November 24, 9 a.m. to noon, join volunteers, friends, and neighbors of North Beach Park for their second planting party. They have nearly 200 native plants ready to be put into the park, such as wetland grasses and conifers that can live for a thousand years. The new plants will provide food and habitat for birds and wild life, improve slope stability, and clean the water and air flowing through the park.

Join the party at the main entrance to the park, 90th St. NW and NW 24th Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon. Wear boots and rain gear that can get dirty. Organizers will provide tools, gloves, and guidance. All ages and skill levels welcome, but children must be under the supervision of their parent/guardian at all times. Some of the work will be pretty muddy. Email lukemcguff@yahoo.com for more information or register on line at http://cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/gsp/748/.

Parking is available along 24th, north of 90th; and along 90th, east of 24th. Metro Route 61 stops at 90th and 24th. Metro route 48 stops at 85th and 24th.

"Big Event"

As the name suggests, this is a big event, taking place at the Sunset Hill Community Club (3003 N.W. 66th St) on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. An event which spun off from the Ballard Writers Collective's first celebration, the Big Event has expanded to include just about everything, such as books and art and even food demonstrations. Included among the festivities are new three-minute works from 20 Ballard writers -- yes, including the lead reporter and web editor of the Ballard News-tribune -- performed live in front of an audience. Perhaps to take off some edge for the writers, there will be wine and beer and other, probably non-alcoholic beverages as well.

You can read all about the event in columnist Peggy Sturdivant's "At Large" column this week. You can find an hourly schedule here.

Boy Scouts

Friends of North Beach Park

Ballard writers collective

North Beach Park first recipient of Groundswell NW's microgrant program

Guest — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:29:34 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 10/19/2012 - 12:29am

The first lucky winner of Groundswell NW's new microgrant program is Friends of North Beach Park, who have been working to restore North Beach Park and Nature, according to a press release.

The microgrant program awards $500 to support community members trying tos tart projects which support Groundswell NW's mission. They are preferred to be in the Northwest quadrant of Seattle, be a new project and have an inclusive group which will welcome public participation.

David Folweiler, a member of the Groundswell NW board, had this to say:

“Friends of North Beach Park is a passionate group of volunteers who maintain a much needed green space adjacent to North Beach Elementary School. Their work involves removing invasive species and restoring native plantings. They also work with students to enrich their environmental education. The work of the Friends of North Beach Park furthers the mission of Groundswell NW – the creation and maintenance of public parks, habitat, and green space. We are honored that our first microgrant award goes to such a dedicated group.”

Friends of North Beach Park includes neighbors from Crown Hill, Olympic Manor, North Beach, and Ballard. Since April, 2011, there have been 17 work parties in the main body of the park, including visits from five school groups. Work parties are held on the 4th Saturday of the month, from 9 a.m. to noon. The October and November work parties will feature native planting in numerous sites throughout the park.

The grant will be used to produce a newsletter for neighbors of the park and to purchase tools. The work of Friends of North Beach Park is also supported by the Green Seattle Partnership and the Seattle Parks Department.

For further information about Groundswell NW and their new microgrant program, please visit their website: http://www.groundswellnw.org/

For further information about Friends of North Beach Park, or to volunteer for a work party, please contact Luke McGuff at lukemcguff@yahoo.com.

Groundswell NW

Zachariah Bryan

Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation

North Beach Park

Friends of North Beach Park

David Fowlweiler

Ballard

Ballard News Tribune