The proposed service change includes a modification of Route 16, which connects downtown Seattle to the Northgate neighborhood via east Green Lake.

If the current proposal is adopted, trips would be added to Route 16, and the north part of the route would be moved to N 92nd St and 1st Ave NE. Currently, the route travels via College Way N, Meridian Avenue N and NE Northgate Way between North Seattle Community College and the Northgate Transit Center.

Map, via Metro, of proposed changes to Route 16. Click to enlarge.

Several residents of The Hearthstone, a continuing care retirement community in east Green Lake, are unhappy with Metro’s proposal.

One Hearthstone resident, Lynn Burnett, describes the impact to herself and her neighbors this way:

Our concerns about the suggested changes are the elimination of access to NSCC, NW Hospital Annex, Polyclinic on Meridian; mall entrance, Target, Key Bank, Chase Bank, Bank of America and the new BECU Service Center on Northgate Way; then 5th Ave Professional Center,  entrance to the mall, Community Center, Pac-Med, the medical building at 5th Ave NE and 103rd and the short distance to Group Health.

Route 16 stops directly behind The Hearthstone on Woodlawn Ave NE

Jack Whisner, Transportation Planner at the King County Department of Transportation, will be at The Hearthstone (6720 E Green Lake Way N) on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

The public is invited to the meeting, which will be about the proposed changes to Metro, with a special focus on Route 16.

The community can provide feedback about the Metro’s proposal via an online survey or at one of six open houses, 14 information tables, and more than a dozen presentations being offered during the month of February. Check this online calendar for a list of these events.

Feedback collected during this round of public review will help shape final September service recommendations that will be forwarded to the King County Council for action this spring.

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

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Post tags: metro, northgate, the hearthstone

Village Cove is an expansion of The Hearthstone, a continuing care retirement community located at 6720 E Green Lake Way N. The four-story building will contain 28 luxury one- and two-bedroom units on the top three floors, retail spaces on the ground floor, and underground parking.

Since groundbreaking in May, more than 3,000 tons of soil containing dry-cleaning contaminants has been excavated from the property.

“We had hoped to be in construction by now, but often there are glitches that happen,” Mary Lou Stuenzi, CEO of the Hearthstone, said in a report to stakeholders earlier today (Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011).

We are still working closely with ecology to perfect our process to a “clean site”. One more “go-round” with more dirt being removed and then tested and we are confident we will be going into construction.  The additional challenge now is the changing of the calendar and the changing of the weather – costs more to move wet dirt than dry dirt.  We will be adapting the construction site to keep it secure while we give the weather a chance to change for our good – hopefully very early spring.

Once we get final reports back and everything in place and clean – we will already have had a “leg up” because where we have removed dirt, we will be constructing an underground parking level, so construction will be happening already, and will be concluded a little faster.  Our partners in development will do everything they can to be ready to go, and ready to put lots of guys on the ground to move through the construction phase as soon as possible.

For more information about Village Cove, contact Sheryl Harmon at (206) 774-5153 or villagecove [at] hearthstone.org.

Village Cove is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: advertiser, construction, older adults, the hearthstone

The proposed service change includes a new route, Route 63, which would replace Route 26. We took a close look at this possible new route here.

Metro is also proposing changes to Route 16, which connects downtown Seattle to the Northgate neighborhood via east Green Lake.

Under the proposed service change, trips would be added Route 16, and the north part of the route would be moved to N 92nd St and 1st Ave NE. Currently, the route travels via College Way N, Meridian Avenue N and NE Northgate Way between North Seattle Community College and the Northgate Transit Center.

Map, via Metro, of proposed changes to Route 16. Click to enlarge.

One Green Lake resident says that she is very unhappy with Metro’s proposal.

Route 16, she says, is heavily used by herself and her neighbors at The Hearthstone, a continuing care retirement community in east Green Lake (6720 E Green Lake Way N).

The resident, who asked that we not use her name, says that she has mobilized several other Hearthstone residents to communicate their concerns with Metro. She has also expressed her thoughts directly to Metro.

Here is the text of her written complaint:

I have completed the survey twice, once before I read the proposed changes to Route 16 and just now when I am madder than a wet hen. What are you thinking?

You are removing the vital part of the north portion of route 16. We need to get to doctors (Polyclinic, NW Hospital Annex) the college, the mall and soon BECU’s new service center.

People at the Hearthstone, University House and Green Lake Plaza are either old and/or impaired and we all use Route 16. Many of us walk with canes or even walkers. NSCC students have heavy backpacks. Again, what are you thinking?! Are you nuts?

You tried this a few years ago and came to your senses after the uproar — ask Jack Whisner, Metro planner, if he’s still around. We put petitions on his desk, signed by almost 200 residents at the Hearthstone, a retirement community at Green Lake.

Chances are we won’t get to the meeting at the Greenwood Sr Center tonight [Nov. 14] because we don’t get out at night and it is two buses away. Can you hear me now?

To provide your own feedback to Metro, use this online survey.

The Hearthstone is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: metro, northgate, the hearthstone

Local author Mike Attebery wrote to tell us that his new novel, Seattle On Ice, features scenes from the Green Lake neighborhood.

The story’s finale, according to Attebery, takes place at The Hearthstone (6720 East Green Lake Way N) and on the lake.

From Amazon.com:

Like the secret love child of Dirty Harry and Martha Stewart, Brick Ransom is a rookie cop with a taste for fine dining and zero patience for slovenly deadbeats and criminal scum. In the middle of a rare Northwest blizzard, Brick is forced to cut his dinner short in order to protect three key witnesses – a bookkeeper, a stripper, and a deadly assassin – all of whom are set to testify against Seattle crime boss Frank Mason the next morning. When a gunman ambushes the first witness en route to his downtown hotel, and Brick’s partner is killed in the crossfire, it’s quickly apparent that moles within the police force are leaking the whereabouts of each witness back to Mason in a last-ditch effort to keep the criminal kingpin from ever standing trial. As the storm worsens, and the city freezes to a standstill, it’s up to Brick Ransom to protect the last two witnesses, outwit Frank Mason’s team of killers and crooked cops, and do his best to ignore his growling stomach, all while struggling to contain his growing fascination with Witness #2.

With its signature blend of dark humor and page-turning action, Seattle On Ice is Mike Attebery’s most exciting book yet! What readers are saying about Mike Attebery’s books: “Get this book, stay up late, and dig in. And remember this author’s name, you’ll be hearing more of it in the future.” “This book will grab you and pull you into all of the action, comedy, and romance that we crave as readers!” “With some great twists and turns the adventure never seems to stop. Very entertaining read. I’m looking forward to reading more of his books.”

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: literary, the hearthstone

Creative Alliance for Growth, a local BNI Chapter that meets weekly in Green Lake, is looking for new members.

The business networking group meets on Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m., at The Hearthstone (6720 East Green Lake Way N). Members share information and referrals.

Only one person from each professional specialty is accepted into each BNI chapter. Once a representative of a profession has joined, his or her competition is locked out from joining as well.

Creative Alliance for Growth is currently looking for members from several professions. While guests are welcome at any meeting, specific days have been set aside for guests from the following professions:

January 11, 2012: Florists, photographers and event planners

February 15, 2012: Commercial real estate agents

March 14, 2012: Attorneys

April 18, 2012: Travel agents

May 16, 2012: CPAs/Tax preparers

June 13, 2012: Videographers

July 18, 2012: House cleaners

September 12, 2012: Handymen/handywomen

October 17, 2012: Dentists

Business owners do not need to live or work in Green Lake.

For more information or to schedule a visit to a meeting, please contact Albert Israel at aisrael [at] financialguide.com and Chapter President Annie Jacobsen at annie [at] assistedtransitions.net. Please include a line or two about your business and/or a link to your business website.

Disclosure note: Amy Duncan, the author of this post, is a member of BNI – CAG.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: building community, local businesses, the hearthstone

If you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran, you could be entitled to a tax-free pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

There will be a free presentation about the VA Non-Service Connected Aid & Attendance Pension on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hearthstone chapel (6720 E Green Lake Way N).

The monthly tax-free pension benefit is specifically meant to help defray the cost of Long Term Care for Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing. The presentation will cover what the pension is, who can qualify and how to apply.

Volunteer Senior Veteran Advocates Kevin and Sean Sullivan will be leading Tuesday’s presentation.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: the hearthstone

The film’s official website provides the following synopsis:

“TAKE A BOW – The Ingrid Clarfield Story” is the extraordinary life story of a remarkable contemporary educator and inspirational figure. Ingrid is a respected Professor of Piano at Westminster Choir College at Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She has traveled extensively giving workshops and lectures to thousands of students and teachers from coast to coast.

On March 29 2007, after returning from the Music Teacher National Association conference in Toronto. Ingrid experienced a devastating stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. This should have been the end of her career. However, Ingrid has shown us how she resume to teaching and that the stroke taught her to reinvent herself to be even better than before.

The film takes an intimate look into Ingrid’s background, her passion for teaching, and her close relationships with her family, colleagues, and students. The film gives a realistic insight to Ingrid’s struggle, challenge, and the sheer determination to overcome her limitation to become a champion in the end.

For more information about Saturday’s free screening, contact ilactivitiescord [at] hearthstone.org.

The Hearthstone is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: advertiser, bargain alert, film, health, older adults, the hearthstone

Erika Campbell sent us the following note from The Hearthstone (6720 E Green Lake Way N):

Mother Klatches – you know who you are! Joggers or walkers with baby strollers doing your daily constitutional around the lake for good health and camaraderie. Why not throw a little community service in the mix?

The Hearthstone Retirement Community is looking for a group of friends who would like to conclude their walk around the lake with a short visit to our residents to give manicures! Imagine one mother corralling the kids with the help of host ‘grandmas’ while the other mothers knock out a half hour of buff and shine.

We’re looking for a small dedicated group to visit perhaps twice a month. Who knew community service could be so fun!

Pleasecontact Donna Leggett or Erika Campbell at (206) 525-9666 or hssocialservices@hearthstone.org.

The Hearthstone is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: advertiser, older adults, the hearthstone, volunteer

Since groundbreaking in May, 3,200 tons of soil has been excavated from the property at Woodlawn Ave NE and Latona Ave NE.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon be conducting soil testing. The agency is expected to issue a report by the end of the year.

“We are anticipating that by January 2012, we should have the EPA’s authorization and final report that we need to start the application process for our construction loan,” Sheryl Harmon, Director of Marketing for Village Cove says.

Village Cove is an expansion of The Hearthstone, a continuing care retirement community located two blocks away at 6720 E Green Lake Way N. The four-story building will contain 28 luxury one- and two-bedroom units on the top three floors, retail spaces on the ground floor, and underground parking.

For more information about Village Cove, contact Sheryl Harmon at (206) 774-5153 or villagecove [at] hearthstone.org.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: advertiser, construction, older adults, the hearthstone

The lecture will include juicing demonstrations, samplings, and a discussion about how freshly-made juices and smoothies compare to store-bought brands.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Sheryl Harmon, Director of Marketing for Village Cove, at (206) 774-5153 or villagecove [at] hearthstone.org.

Village Cove is a My Green Lake advertiser.

©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog, 2011.

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Post tags: advertiser, bargain alert, food, health, the hearthstone