Our meeting was held Thursday, April 15 at 7pm. We held elections for our Northwest Neighborhood Association leadership.
The results of the elections are as follows:
Chair – Kari Quaas
Vice-Chair – Holly James
Secretary (aka Scribe) – Kari Quaas
Treasurer – Russ Kasselman
Council of Neighborhood Representative – Tim Knopf
Council of Neighborhood Representative – John Sweeney
Council of Neighborhood Alternate – Kari Quaas
Thank you to all of them for their service to Northwest Neighbors!
Kari reported on a successful Easter Egg Hunt at the three parks – Legion, Grand Avenue and Drew Nielsen. We may split it up for future years to keep the crowds down and enjoy our neighborhood.
Paul Roberts provided a city council update in place of Brenda Stonecipher. The work on the budget for 2022 has begun.
Kari shared that Jerry Smith had passed on April 4 (Easter Sunday) and we heard reflections from long time neighbors Holly, Jackie and Tim about Jerry’s influence and care of Joni.
Tim provided an update on the Council of Neighborhoods.
We heard lots of updates on upcoming events and brainstormed ideas for the next two meetings including mental health and an event update from the city. Kari will reach out to speakers.
Misha provided an educational update. Secondary school will be starting up next Monday! High school students will also return for hybrid learning.
Our March meeting was held on Thursday the 18th. We heard an update from Ryan Bisson on Rethink Transit and Commissioner Tom Stiger and Cat Soper from the Port of Everett. We also heard from Paul Roberts, who filled in for our City Council Liaison report, a Council of Neighborhoods update from Tim Knopf, and we went over plans for this spring and summer.
Ryan Bisson : Online Survey: https://rethinket.participate.online/
Meeting: March 25th at 1pm, Director Tom Hinkston, and Roland Behee will be doing a Facebook Livestream about the transit plan.
April 5th is the end of the survey collection.
Red Cross Homes Made Safer info: https://www.redcross.org/local/washington/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign.html
Cat Soper - Port of Everett : Thank you all - my contact info here if you ever have Port questions - catherines@portofeverett.com or 425.388.0680
Patrick Hall : www.downtowneverettwa.org/donate
We voted to donate $250 to the downtown Everett planter program.
We did a straw poll for the Mother of All Garage Sales and people are interested in making it happen for August 7, 2021.
Finally, we will be doing a modified Easter Egg Hunt at all three of our parks – Grand Avenue, The Bluff at Legion and Drew Nielsen. Details here – https://northwesteverett.org/events/
After many months without, we welcomed Lt. Ryan Dalberg to join us for a Everett Police Report. He covered some statistics related to property crimes and theft, which is typical for our part of town. He also answered questions tied to numbers of officers (steady, but many lateral additions in the last 6 months), whether or not social workers are still going out on patrols (yes!), if COVID-19 has affected many officers (yes and no – usually tied to childcare – they can get the vaccine so many have been illness-free). There was kudos for the quick and professional service, too. And, there was an attempt to learn what would happen if people decided to attach locks to the Grand Avenue Park Bridge to settle a marital dispute. You’ll have to watch the video for the full answer (see below), but in short, in could be crime.
There was also a question tied to the insurrection in D.C. and how Everett PD is handling it. The answer from both Lt. Dalberg and Councilmember Paul Roberts was that Everett has been ahead of the training on de-escalation and no tolerance for that kind of behavior. If you have further questions, you could certainly reach out to Lt. Dalberg or Police Chief Dan Templeman.
We then heard from Councilmember Paul Roberts, who was filling in for our official liaison, Councilmember Scott Murphy. He referenced the 6 comprehensive strategies that came out of their council retreat in the first part of February 2021. See image below.
Paul also covered the votes the previous evening at the council meeting regarding the pallet shelter grant and subsequent amendments. You can view the meeting here and view about the project here.
Next, Misha Hann from Whittier PTA gave us an update on who is actually in school. Currently, Kindergarten and First Grade are able to do a hybrid schedule, at the parent’s comfort level, to have them be in school for two days, and then home doing asynchronous work on the other three. There is a plan for Second and Third Graders to go back around March 1 and possible Fourth and Fifth Graders by later in March.
Separately, she covered the fundraiser that Whittier PTA is doing to help all of the Fifth Graders be able to attend camp in the fall. You can buy See’s Candy to help raise money here, or simply connect with Whittier PTA to make a donation. Email them with questions – ptawhittierelementary@gmail.com.
We also heard from Tim Knopf regarding the refurbishment plan that he and Holly James have worked up for the Information Board at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park.
Russ Kasselman, our Treasurer, provided a visual update of our finances, which total $5966 in our three accounts.
We closed with other questions, announcement and met a new neighbor. Great stuff.
We’ll began our regular year with a meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2021! Our guests were Bob Leonard and Cory Rettenmier from Everett Parks to speak about the trees on Colby from 10th to 19th, which are scheduled for maintenance and some for removal. Thanks for those who showed up to discuss ideas and learn more about the SYCAMORE trees, of which there are 76 and they were planted in 1972!
There was a robust discussion and perhaps more people happy to see the trees managed or removed due to some known issues. For example, one is Sycamore anthracnose, a fungal disease that can cause leaf drop, twig dieback, cankers and the sudden death of more than 90% of a tree’s new shoot growth.
Parks is looking to replace trees that are removed and will be discussing that at their February 3, 2021 meeting at 4:45pm.
Sycamore Trees in the Colby Median of north Everett
We also heard from Star Nayea who left the notes on your porches if you had holiday lights. She has an inspired idea to support our community with light. Her next steps will be to talk with Laura Zorick from the Snohomish County PUD to acquire LED lights.
Scott Murphy, our neighborhood council liaison, provided a summary of items from the Everett City Council inlcuding the following 8 topics:
Everett Transit
Public Facilities District – Angel of the Winds update
Lastly, we talked about projects for 2021 that will be supported by the City of Everett Matching Grant Program. Likely the list will include the following:
Drew Nielsen Park Cleanup and Planting
Modified Easter Egg Hunt
Fall Bike Ride to Whittier
Holiday Lights at Drew Nielsen – Photo opp, caroling and cocoa!
On December 5th, we decorated Drew Nielsen Park with lights and ornaments. The elves were joyful and happy to be outside to make the holidays merrier for our neighbors and anyone who visits Providence. Since the arbor and pergola are kitty corner from Providence Regional Medical Center, it’s the perfect spot to add light and cheer.
Jenny’s ornament drop off box
Thanks to Jenny for creating a drop off box at her home and for decorating many of the envelopes for our neighborhood’s holiday cards for teachers, donors and speakers.
Tony and Juanita
THANKS so much to Holly for buying the lights, John and John for taking the lead early on the 5th and for all of the other elves and families who helped decorate our park!
Watch the replay of the meeting featuring Everett’s Mayor Cassie Franklin. There also was an update from Scott Murphy from the Everett City Council and some chit chat about holiday events.
Our friends and neighbors Joni and Jerry Smith could use your help:
BLOOD DRIVE for JERRY SMITH
Jerry was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Lukemia (AML) – Blood & Bone Marrow Cancer, on September 19th, 2020.
Jerry’s cancer is “extremely aggressive” according to the doctors. He already has had two rounds of chemo and 15 blood transfusions along with multiple Platelet transfusions.
These blood transfusion have LITERALLY kept Jerry alive!! As a result, his family wanted to do something to honor their dad. (Too often, it seems, we wait until people pass before we express our love, gratitude and appreciation for those who have impacted us.)
So, in Jerry’s honor, and the HUGE impact he has had on so many Bloodworks Northwest will open to offer donations specifically in honor of Jerry.
Let’s express our gratitude and love for Jerry and all he has meant in our lives.
Jerry and Joni Smith – front row residents extraordinaire
THE BLOOD DRIVE DATE: Sunday, November 29th, 2020 TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (There is no football that day, for those who watch) LOCATION: 2703 Oakes Ave. Everett, WA 98201
* * Due to COVID, IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU REGISTER IN ADVANCE. We would be honored if you would join us in giving.
October 15th at 7pm – Special Guests: Whittier Principal Tony Wentworth, Evergreen Middle School Teacher and Whittier Mom Misha Hann, and Everett High School Teacher Kristin Gebert. We will get to hear what it’s like to lead, teach, and be a parent to kids while virtual learning from home due to COVID-19.
Watch the full replay on our Facebook page. There’s a report from Scott Murphy, our city council liaison, and the school update begins around 14 minutes in.
Physically Distant, but Together, Outside Park Clean Up held on October 3rd from 9 a.m. – to 12:30 p.m.
The original work party was cancelled due to smoke and unhealthy air quality conditions in September. We finally held our physically distanced park cleanup at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park – 1230 Colby with Holly James as our lead- October 3rd.