December SWONA News Sheet

SW NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

“Strong Neighborhoods Make a Viable Downtown”

Brad’s “Get Active, Get Connected” Advice Column

Wonderful Wintertime Walking in the Neighborhood…

It’s cold! But, ahhh, it’s beautiful and clear and crisp. Or white with fog turning familiar walks into mysterious explorations. The vibrant colors of fall are leaving us, but there are new colors to brighten our winter walking. Turn your December walks into tours of the streets showing off their holiday finery – bright lights strung, hung, and flung in the face of winter darkness. Walk these streets for the best light show:

14th Avenue in Wellington West. 9th Avenue from Village Garden to Thomas Street.

Decatur Street from 9th to 14th. Keep going and read new poems on the Poetry Post at Decatur’s end.

9th from Village Garden to Thomas Street. Follow the footprints at Caton Way to visit the Garden Spot.

Walk on 8th to Percival & Rogers, then up Rogers to 7th for lighted homes there.

Down Decatur, stop at 7th then turn on 6th. Walk past lights on 6th down to Percival Street.

Take a long meandering walk around the north end: Lights at 5th & Decatur, on Milroy from 5th Street to 4th; down to Rogers and over to Harrison. Walk down the hill and come back up the Sherman Street steps – or continue toward the bridge and turn right into the “Rainier View Spot”to see the rest of Olympia spread out for your contemplation. As more lights go up, you’ll find more temptations to walk. And as you walk you’ll meet the neighbors: we’rea neighborhood of walkers. Send your walking suggestions to swona2007@yahoo.com and I’ll include themin my next column.

Short Takes & Updates…

West Oly Traffic Study finds West Oly needs new connections to 101. The Thurston Regional Planning Council’s December Newsletter reports the conclusion of the $1 million traffic study: Hiway 101access problems can’t be fixed simply by “improving the local street system.” The study found that somebig access — either a new extension at Yauger Way (behind Top Foods) or a new connection between 101and Kaiser Road — is needed to prevent future backups on the freeway. Nothing was said about Decatur Street.

The newsletter does say that to modify a hiway interchange requires an extensive report whose cost was not included in the $1 million already appropriated. So there will be another phase, needing additional funding. The newsletter says a summary report of study findings will be available “in late winter.” To get on the mailing list for things related to the West Oly Traffic Study contact westolympia@wsdot.wa.gov or call them at 360-956-7575.

Fabulous Feedback on Flowering Plants at Fern & 9th. Our SWONA Walking Park project was highlighted at a presentation to the Thurston County Commissioners on October 27. Earlier, Mary Selecky, Secretary of the State Department of Health said that she had driven down 9th Street and was astonished tosee an inviting little pocket park. And in November, our neighborhood received this note from the ownersof the land occupied by the park:

SWONA Annual Meeting…Plans & Needs for Next Year. SWONA will be holding its annual meeting on March 19.   Our mission, affirmed in 2003, is to involve all neighborhood residents in full and democratic discussion and action on issues that affect the quality of life in our neighborhood. We also offer an opportunity for families, children and other individuals to become friends, help each other, and to collaborate on projects and activities that keep our neighborhood healthy and nurture community. Our specific goals have been to strengthen neighborhood identity, to keep cut-through traffic off our streets, and to improve neighborhood amenities. In March we will elect officers and choose priorities for 2009. It is another important year with opportunities to elect 4 City Council positions, expand our walking park, and create new mechanisms to communicate with each other. Participating as an officer in the association can be fun and rewarding. Positions to be filled this coming year are President (currently Diana Renison). The president plans and presides over membership meetings, acts as spokesperson for Association views, relays information within the membership, assists with project coordination. And Secretary (currently Loraine Snell). The secretary takes and sends out meeting minutes, maintains a record of decisions taken at meetings, and forwards City of Olympia communications to the membership.