From:  http://wateruseitwisely.com/5-ways-you-may-be-wasting-water-around-the-house/

Every few years, Brewster Lake freezes over.  It’s so beautiful and interesting that it is very tempting to try to walk across it.  Please don’t.

Consider the following headlines from the last few days:

Two young brothers die after falling through thin ice in rural Iowa

Three people die after separate drownings after falling through thin ice

Even if you don’t fall in, you may find yourself rescuing someone who has.  The following video will teach you what happens when you fall in, how to get out, and how to safely help someone else.

Wilderness Rim is 600 feet higher than North Bend.  Sometimes that 600 feet makes a big difference in the weather.

Thanks to Scott Johansen’s Personal Weather Station, you can now get a weather report specifically for Wilderness Rim.

Look for the “Weather” links on the Home page (shown above).

Thank you Scott!

Wilderness Rim Association Guidelines for Member Participation

Member Participation and Contribution

Members are welcome at all meetings and are encouraged to attend, participate and contribute to deliberations. Recognition of a speaker by the presiding officer is a prerequisite to speaking and is necessary for an orderly and effective meeting. It will be expected that all speakers deliver their comments in a courteous and efficient manner and will speak only to the specific subject under consideration.

Right to Speak

At committee meetings any member has the right to speak on any item on the agenda given there is enough time in the meeting to do so. New topics need to be communicated to the Committee Chair before the meeting so it may be added to the agenda in advance.

At Board meetings any member has the right to speak on items under discussion after the trustees have concluded their discussion and before action is taken provided time is allowed at the discretion of the Board.

Manner of Addressing the Board

Each person recognized by the Chair to address the Board shall state their name, Division and Lot number for the record, and state the subject they wish to discuss. They must also state if they are representing an organization, other persons or group of persons and limit their remarks to the amount of time the Chair allows. All remarks must be addressed to the Board as a whole, not to any member individually. All speakers must be courteous in their language and deportment and shall not discuss or comment on personalities or indulge in derogatory remarks or insinuations.

Anyone making out of order comments or acting in a manner contrary to these guidelines shall be subject to removal from the meeting.

King County Executive announces new round of grant opportunities for projects in unincorporated areas

Total of $60,000 in grants for 2014 in unincorporated area projects

King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced the third year of new Community Service Area grant opportunities, and encouraged residents in unincorporated communities to become more connected in their neighborhoods.

“We have growing demand for community projects, and we look forward to awarding more grants to creative neighborhood groups in 2014,” Executive Constantine said.

A total of $60,000 is available through the King County Community Service Area Program for projects, with grants of less than $5,000. Examples of projects that can be proposed are:

• Newsletters that inform residents about important issues affecting the community;
• Events such as concerts, festivals, and educational and safety projects;
• Neighborhood improvement projects such as tree planting, graffiti removal and clean-up;
• Community-led planning or training; and
• Signage for a neighborhood or community.

Proposals should demonstrate how activities would be accessible to all unincorporated King County residents regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

A minimum match of 25 percent in the form of volunteer time, cash or in-kind services of the total project cost is required. Applications are due Jan. 10, 2014.

Priority for funding will be given to locally based, community-led organizations in the unincorporated Community Service Areas that encourage collaborations and partnerships.

“We have supported two years of creative initiatives and we look forward to another great year of improvements in our unincorporated communities,” said Alan Painter, manager of the Community Service Area program.

In the last two years, 49 projects were funded throughout unincorporated King County, including:

• Music in local parks
• National Night Out events
• Support for local senior centers
• Volunteer cleanup along the Snoqualmie River
• Neighborhood cleanup initiatives
• Community signage
• Youth projects

Information about the 2014 application process, grant application workshop dates, and a list of the 2013 awardees is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/community-service-areas.aspx.

Doug Greathouse proudly displaying his handiwork

The Park Committee maintains “The Triangle” (also known as “The Y”) at the entrance to the Rim, the Greenbelt, and Cascade Park.

Volunteering your time to help make Wilderness Rim a better place makes a long lasting difference in our community.

See the Calendar for the next Park Committee Meeting, or send an email to Park@WildRim.org and say, “How can I help?”

“Happy Holidays” from Wilderness Rim Association’s Board of Trustees

From left to right (in picture):

• Ernie Henrie
• Brian Mogridge
• John Greer
• Jim Besso
• Donna Greathouse Neel
• Suzanne Glazier (Administrative Assistant)
• Steve McDonald
• Kimberlea Miller
• Joyce Jansen

Not pictured:

• Fernando Platin, Jr.
• Matthew Rourke

View Larger Map

The Drums

Seventeen drums representing different cultures are placed in an exterior courtyard of vine maples. A clear flowing stream moves water up copper tubing above each drum.  Computer-driven solenoid valves create programmed rhythms of contemporary and ethnic compositions as well as mimicking the rain at various times.

Artist Dan Corson:

“I wondered how to turn the experience of sitting in the watershed’s old growth forests and moss covered stands of vine maple while listening to the hypnotic pattern of rain on the leaves into art.  While in Bali months earlier, I had heard of some drums that were designed to be played by the rain.  Although I searched and never found any examples, the idea of those drums became strongly rooted into my mind.”

Come visit on a day when the temperature is 36 degrees Fahrenheit or above and enjoy the amazing artwork Dan Corson and his team brought to life.

Staff
Seattle Public Utilities
Cedar River Watershed Education Center
19901 Cedar Falls Rd SE
North Bend, WA 98045
(206)733-9421 or (425)831-6780

crwprograms@seattle.gov

View Larger Map

The Center

The Cedar River Watershed Education Center is the gateway to Seattle’s Municipal Watershed, nestled above the shores of Rattlesnake Lake.
Families, groups, individuals, and classes come here to learn about their drinking water, discover ways to conserve, and connect with the unique cultural history of this special place.

Visit and experience the rhythmic rain drums and interactive exhibits at the Center.  Tours, special events, field classes, and family activities take place throughout the year.

The Center is a premier rental facility for weddings, company retreats, and conferences.

December 27^th is our winter open house event, themed “Wondering About Wildlife”.  This is an event for family members of all ages.  Come enjoy hot beverages, snacks, crafts, walks and presentations both inside and out.  Bring lunch and stay for the day.  To learn more visit us at www.seattle.gov/util/crwec.

Staff
Seattle Public Utilities
Cedar River Watershed Education Center
19901 Cedar Falls Rd SE
North Bend, WA 98045
(206)733-9421 or (425)831-6780

crwprograms@seattle.gov

From:  http://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/forestry/forestfire/NorthBendCWPPAssess.pdf

GENERAL –

Wilderness Rim is another example of unchecked growth in the interface area. This development has been in place for several years and is an example of why interface issues have become important. This is a small lot development that puts structures in close proximity with one another. The street system is confusing and promotes misdirection. Many of the structures have no defensible space at all while others have a minimal amount. Wilderness Rim is situated at the base of Rattlesnake ridge. A fire in this development could easily make a run up this ridge.
PRIMARY PROTECTION – Eastside Fire & Rescue

HAZARDS –
Some of the streets are dead end without adequate turnaround for fire apparatus.
Most of the streets are surfaced to only 18’.
This area is subject to strong East Wind events.
WATER SUPPLY – Wilderness Rim is served by a municipal type water system with hydrants capable of providing fire flow.

TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS – Due to the density of structures in Wilderness Rim early evacuation must be a consideration. During a major fire, the proximity of structures may promote rapid extension of the fire from one structure to another. Units working in this area should always have accurate maps and a good sense of direction. Around some homes the natural brush has been retained as landscape. This may also increase fire spread.

RESOURCE NEEDS – Due to the geographical area and the street make up two additional strike teams of structural engines should be ordered. Again, this is an ideal location to assign aerial assets.

PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS – Moderate (65%-75%)

COMMUNITY FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT – Using the NFPA 299 community wildfire hazard assessment methodology, Wilderness Rim was rated for common features such as access, vegetation, topography, fire protection and utilities. Then several homes were rated for roof coverings and other existing conditions. Their totals were averaged to establish a community rating. See attached NFPA 299 form for Wilderness Rim. Wilderness Rim has been rated as having a high (82 points) fire risk. Individual homeowners and the community can significantly reduce the risk of home ignitions during a wildfire event by being prepared.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE FIRE RISK SEVERITY:
These are specific recommendations for the community of Wilderness Rim. There are several other general recommendations that may help reduce the potential of fire. The general recommendations can be found in Appendix E.