Reason to Be, Sense of Place in Paramount Park!
It's 2010 and this is a blog about my interests and your interests. As a recently minted Ex-city councilmember, I believe I have a view that could be useful to many. Specifically, the view on the environment and “land use”, which many people may not realize is perhaps the largest role played in local government.
Many years ago (approx 1989), I got involved in some local environmental concerns in order to preserve and extend a wetland in my neighborhood. That neighborhood is Paramount Park, located in southeast Shoreline. What started out as an attempt to protect a 3.5 acre section of wetlands and streams with my neighbors, became a nearly all encompassing quest (some might say obsession) to protect and restore the Thornton Creek Watershed. We had many successes along the way, and some sidetracks. This interest also evolved into related watersheds and political adventures, the last of which placed me square in the middle of local politics and elected to the Shoreline City Council.
Now, as a former elected official, I have the freedom (and more time) to look more deeply into the related issues of land use and link them to the many local issues such as (but not limited to) Open Space, Sustainability and Renewable Energy, Economic Development (ie density vs alternatives), Green Building and Low Impact Development, and even Historic Preservation and all things related including political opinion. These will be specifically related to local land-use issues, but also contain links to issues going on in nearby areas. It will be educational and entertaining whenever possible.
This site will be a place to present alternative views, promote ideas, relate news about land use issues in and around (roughly) the 32nd Leg District and North Seattle. Other nearby areas area also welcome to chime in.
I willl publish links to other blogs and invite guest writers to publish their views. I will also post photos, maps and illustrations to illuminate the concepts.
Basically, I’ve decided that I have a voice which cannot stay silent (much to the dismay of many). So, I invite you to participate. Any reasoned and civil opinions are welcome, but vicious vulgarity will be subject to editing.
I welcome debate and additions, suggestions and any brilliant ideas.
Welcome to my adventure.
Posts
Press Release:
ReplyDeletePlease join Lake Forest Park Physical Therapy as they celebrate their official grand opening sponsored by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.
January 28, 2010 from 5-7 PM Appetizers and Refreshments will be served
20011 Ballinger Way NE Ste. C100; Shoreline WA 98155
(Same complex as Shoreline Bank)
206-367-6069 to RSVP; www.lakeforestparkpt.com
Thanks! Wendy DiPeso President Shoreline Chamber of Commerce
March 30, 2010
ReplyDeleteFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Headline: “2008 TED Prize Winner Karen Armstrong to Announce that
Seattle is the First City in the World to Affirm the Charter for Compassion”
Event: Compassionate Seattle: It’s Up To Us!
When: Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 9:00AM – 8:00PM
Where: Center for Spiritual Living
5801 Sandpoint Way Northeast
Seattle, Washington 98105 USA
Tickets: Prices range from $10-25 for an evening pass or a full day pass with a $10 optional brown bag lunch. Purchase tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/104534.
Religion scholar and popular author Karen Armstrong will be the keynote speaker at an event organized to honor Seattle as the first city in the world to affirm the Charter for Compassion.
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Ms. Armstrong won the TED Prize for her role in creating the Charter for Compassion which calls on us to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves. To support the Charter, the Compassionate Action Network (CAN) successfully embarked on a 10 Year Campaign for Compassionate Cities. Seattle is the first city to implement its campaign goals and will celebrate its success at an event called Compassionate Seattle: It’s Up To Us! The public is invited to attend the event at the Center for Spiritual Living in Seattle on April 24, 2010. Childcare is provided.
The event includes workshops, lectures, performances, music, exhibits and a compassion exchange in which people can share compassion services and stories. The Mayor and City Council will also sign a proclamation.
The event is sponsored by The Compassionate Action Network (CAN), Seeds of Compassion and the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education in Vancouver BC.
There are many, many, amazing expressions of compassionate action happening in our community. We hope that people turn out to celebrate and discover Seattle’s accomplishment as a Compassionate City, to share their personal stories of compassionate action and to join the community of those working intentionally to make Seattle and the world more compassionate places.
Jon Ramer, Executive Director, Compassionate Action Network
CONTACT
Jon Ramer, Executive Director
Compassionate Action Network
Seattle, Washington
http://www.compassionateactionnetwork.com.
jramer@interraproject.org
(206) 526-2323
RELATED LINKS
• Tickets for April 24th Event at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/104534.
• Charter for Compassion: http://charterforcompassion.org/
• Compassionate Action Network: www.compassionateactionnetwork.com
• Seeds of Compassion: http://seedsofcompassion.org/
• Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education: http://dalailamacenter.org/
• Karen Armstrong http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Armstrong
• James O’Dea http://www.jamesodea.com/James_ODea/Bio.html
• Courtney E. Martin http://www.courtneyemartin.com/index.php/index