This month marks our three-year anniversary here on mygreenlake.com. Since the beginning, this site has been built using your contributions. Thank you for your story ideas, event information, neighborhood news, photographs and thoughtful discussion.

We have some big news: Starting today, the conversation moves from mygreenlake.com to EveryBlock Seattle, a website that allows you to follow neighborhood news down to the block level and connect with your neighbors.

Many of the stories you have seen on mygreenlake.com over the past three years have included information culled from EveryBlock. The site provides location-based data: crime reports, building permits, emergency dispatches, real estate listings, business reviews, event information, neighborhood photos and more. You will also see a digest of Green Lake news from local blogs, other media and posts from your neighbors.

EveryBlock doesn’t just compile neighborhood information; it really comes alive when users start discussions with each other, ask questions, and share event information. Submissions are reviewed by a Seattle-based community manager who also joins in discussions.

In the past, when you wanted to share news with or ask questions of your neighbors through mygreelake.com, you submitted information through our tips form, over email, or via Twitter or Facebook. Now, that process will be simplified. On EveryBlock, you’ll communicate directly with your neighbors.

Amy Duncan. Photo credit: Carly Bish

On a personal note, although the time has come for me to move on to other projects, I will truly miss running this site.

I have thought for several months about the best way to transition away from publishing My Green Lake and was anxious about the possibility that, if the site simply shut down, the neighborhood could be left in an online vacuum. So I approached EveryBlock and suggested that we could work together to introduce Green Lake to EveryBlock Seattle.

I couldn’t be happier that the virtual community we have created here together will be able to continue. I am really looking forward to being a part of our neighborhood conversation and answering your questions about Green Lake on EveryBlock.

Before signing off of mygreenlake.com, I want to extend a special thanks to the site’s writers, many of whom have contributed their work free of charge. In particular, gardening columnist Erica Browne Grivas and health and wellness reporter Shelly Najjar have provided fantastic content, as have several students from the University of Washington Department of Communication News Lab. Their work, as well as My Green Lake’s entire archive, will remain accessible here on mygreenlake.com.

I also want to acknowledge the staff of My Green Lake’s news partners, seattlepi.com and Next Door Media. These two news outlets have been a pleasure to work with, as have several others that provided informal help along the way: KING, KIRO, Wallyhood, CHS Capitol Hill Seattle, West Seattle Blog, Ravenna Blog and Roosiehood.

Finally, a big thank you to the local businesses that have supported My Green Lake through paid advertising. A special acknowledgment needs to be extended to those who have been with the site for two years or more: Turnpike Pizza, Lakeside Dental Center, Seattle Public Theater, Lifestyle Chiropractic, Scarecrow Video, Greenlake Guest House and JJ House Cleaning. Please remember to show your appreciation to these businesses; without them, this site would not have been possible.

But this is not goodbye. I will see you all soon, both on EveryBlock and around the neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Amy Duncan
Publisher and Editor, My Green Lake, 2009-2012
amy [at] mygreenlake.com

P.S. If you have any questions about EveryBlock or need a hand with signing-up, you can contact the Seattle EveryBlock Community Manager at greenlake [at] everyblock.com.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: building community, building permits, crime, everyblock, MyGreenLake.com, photos, real estate

Leonardo, 86, has been walking around Green Lake with his “Spanish Lessons” vest for 18 years.

“[Leonardo] had a lively conversation with the au pair from Venezuela about Hugo Chavez, which was pretty adorable,” Angela says.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: local personality

African drummers Frank Anderson and Tyler Richart along with international recording artist and singer Chava Mirel, will bring their friends and flair for an exciting evening of music and dancing.

Frank Anderson

Join us, with your own instrument if you wish, for a great night of music!

Snacks and beverages provided.

No reservations are required and there is a suggested donation of $10. All are welcome.

For more information, contact thecenter [at] saintandrewsseattle.org or (206) 523-747.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: dancing, music

I wanted to follow up on the March 1st report by my neighbor MJ Welling regarding two loose dogs who killed her cat in her front yard on NE 57th St. between 5th Ave. NE and Latona Ave.

These dogs are still running loose and have been spotted several times on our street in the last two weeks. The neighbor who witnessed the kitty killing took these photos of the dogs last week:

The neighbor said the dogs have collars and tags but because they run whenever someone tries to get close, no one can read the tags to find the erstwhile owner. A few people have seen the dogs running loose multiple times this week too.

Yesterday these dogs came into my yard. They chased and tried to corner my 10 month old puppy, terrorizing him. I came outside just in time and they ran off. The small pet owners on the street are having to keep our pets inside to protect them.

These dogs fit the description of those that killed the chickens in Tangletown about February 17th, although there’s no way to know if they’re the same ones.

Personally, I don’t want anything bad to happen to these dogs but they have been running wild for more than 2 months. I want the owner to be responsible so these dogs don’t hurt anyone else. 

All pets, except cats and pigeons, are required by the City of Seattle to be on-leash when off their property.

Seattle Animal Shelter Humane Animal Law Enforcement Officers are available seven days per week, excluding holidays, to respond to calls and file complaints. Information about the process they use to handle complaints is available here.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: animals, dogs

1.        The North Precinct Burglary/Theft Unit continues to follow up on recent burglary arrests done by North Precinct patrol officers, and  due in some part to your watchfulness and good 9-1-1 calls.  The 19 year old serial occupied burglar and auto thief who was hitting the north end neighborhoods hard approx. 8 weeks ago has been charged with nearly 10 years.  He is in jail and won’t be released for a long time. 

2.       A 39-year old, white female was arrested last week for multiple burglaries in the north end, some in which the residents were home at the time of the crime.  She confessed to detectives that she is an addict, and she preferred burglaries to prostitution. She spent the day with detectives showing them houses she had hit.  She told the detectives that she was surprised how many people leave their house keys out in  mailboxes; or on the front porch (she found keys in a pair of shoes on front porch).  Please re-think the hide-away key.  You may think it is unusual to put in under a paving stone, or huge flower pot, etc. but burglars who do this for a living, know our hiding spots.  She also told the detectives that she often looked in the windows and could see the desirable loot in plain sight (purses, cash, electronics).

3.       I talked with a gentleman today who lives in the Maple Leaf neighborhood.  Evidently, yesterday during the glorious weather we had, he was gardening in the front yard.  A thief, unseen by neither the homeowner nor nearby neighbors, entered this home through the unlocked back door and took cash and prescription meds. from a back bedroom.   I know it may be inconvenient to keep your doors locked when you are home and gardening, but these crimes are quick and contribute to our burglary rate increases during summer months.  

4.       The Phinney Ridge blog was filled with reports of suspicious magazine solicitors.

Here is some information on Residential Sales from the City’s Dept. of Finance and Admin. 

Terrie Johnston can be reached at (206) 684-7711 or terrie.johnston [at] seattle.gov.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: crime, safety

The agenda includes:

1)  The latest updates since construction has begun on the Green Lake Village project, formerly known as the VitaMilk project or the Big Hole in The Ground

2)  Update in the lease renewal at Green Lake Pitch and Putt

3)  Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake July 14

4)  Big Leaf Maple Tree Memorial Bench Campaign 

Photo credit: Garet Munger

5)  Community Council Board Nominations

6)  Potential RPZ (Residential Parking Zone) and other parking concerns in the Green Lake neighborhood

7)  Happenings with Friends of Green Lake

8)  Green Lake’s Emergency Preparedness Plan

9)  Upcoming events with Seattle Public Theater at The Historic Bathhouse Theater at Green Lake

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: building community, green lake community council

“For one night only we will have a huge box of catalog-only bras in the store,” Store Manager Michelle Impala says. “Everyone will receive 10% off of their sports bra purchases and there will be food, wine and lots of fun to be had.”

RSVP to (206) 522-1425.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: bargain alert, local businesses, shopping

Games will take place at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. from August 14 – October 11, 2012. There will be a total of nine games.

The two teams with the best records will receive trophies, and the first place team will also receive t-shirts.

A fee of $835 is due at registration.

For more information, or to register, please email Adult Recreation Program Coordinator Antoinette Daniel at antoinette.daniel [at] seattle.gov or call her at (206) 684-7092.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: baseball and softball, parks and rec, woodland park

A reception with the artists will follow the concert. There is a suggested donation of $20; tickets are available here.

The performance is part of a year-long concert series celebrating the recent installation of the church’s new Burton K. Tidwell pipe organ.

Thanks for the tip, Dana!

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: music

Thirty-three local law enforcement agencies, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, and the Washington State Patrol have scheduled extra DUI officers and troopers to remove dangerous drivers from the road.

Law enforcement also will visit bars to ensure responsible service.

One of the Seattle’s biggest Cinco de Mayo celebrations is held in Green Lake, at the Green Lake Tacos Guaymas (6808 E Green Lake Way N). The block party, now in its eleventh year, is on Saturday, May 5, 2012, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. More information about the party can be found here.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2012.

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Post tags: crime, traffic