Fremont Peak Park - a park space built (and maintained) by the community Photo by K. Lindsay, Jan '12

This Sunday, May 20^th, from 10a – 1p, the volunteers and friends of Fremont Peak Park will gather for one of their industrious work parties – to finish mulching and tidying the park’s plant beds.

Everyone is welcome to come lend a hand, or just meet the people that keep this park – built entirely by community effort – looking so lovely.  If you haven’t been by to see Peak Park, consider using this work party as an excuse to take a gander.

Refreshments will be provided, and if they know you are coming they will lay out enough for all.  Please R.S.V.P. to info@FremontPeakPark.org.  Even if you can’t make it, consider notifying friends about the park, and the opportunity to get out and digging in a fun, friendly atmosphere.

With a scenario of terrorism, learn what community volunteers have set in place for notifying and helping in case of a terrorist attack on the Seattle area.

For more information contact John Nordstrand, the lead volunteer for Emergency Preparedness in Fremont, at FremergencyPrep@historyhouse.org

This Thursday, May 17^th, from 7p – 9p at Doric Lodge #92, the FAC will host an Artist’s Reception for the recipients of the Dave McKay grant.  Come meet some of the artists working on the Solstice Parade, and learn more about what will go into creating this great work of performance art.  Also, if you want to participate, this is a great place to pick an ensemble to join.  (Learn more about Dave McKay in the Fremocentrist.com column.)

On Saturday, May 19^th, from Noon – 4p, the workshop season at the Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Ave N) official kicks into gear.  Stop by and lend a hand – or just look around and be inspired.  Another great way to find an ensemble to join…or adopt a float base (only a few left) to build your own!

For those looking to attend one of the upcoming instructional workshops, visit the FAC website and look at the calendar of upcoming classes.

Also, volunteers are required to make the Parade happen.  Please visit the volunteer registration page of the website and consider what you can do to help bring the 2012 Solstice Parade to the streets of Fremont at Noon on June 16^th.

Come enjoy some BBQ, tour Patrol 9 and meet the officers that keep our shoreline safe.  This will be the official dedication of Patrol 9, with Fremont’s own Suzie Burke invited to break the champagne over the bow.  This free, open-to-the-public event is perfect for families – and will take place at the Harbor Patrol Station, at 1717 N. Northlake Place, between Gas Works Park and the new Northlake Community Wharf.

Learn more about Patrol 9, and this exciting partnership between the SPD Harbor Patrol and Kvichak, in the Fremocentrist.com column from April 4, 2012.

From 1p – 3p a special Open House will be held, in the school library (through the main doors – second floor,) to introduce the plans, developed by the community, for improvements to the public playground. Members of the Playground Advisory Board, B.F. Day Staff and neighborhood volunteers will be on-hand to answer questions, and hear about the next step – FUNDRAISING! Come, and bring your ideas for ways the Fremont community can build our playground.

Additionally, on Saturday, check out these other, fun ways to help our school:

Noon – 3:30p – Seattle Works volunteers will be cleaning and weeding the playgrounds. All volunteers are welcome to join them – contact bfdayplayground@gmail.com to get more details.

1p – 2p – Doggers FC Co-ed Soccer Group will hold a soccer clinic for kids in grades K – 5

1p – 4p – A bake sale to benefit B.F. Day will be held…and arrive early for the yummiest selection

2p – 4p – The annual art extravaganza will take place: Art Rocks! allows the public to see the incredible talent of B.F. Day students through a display of visual works, and performances, by students of Ms. Nelson and Ms. Sandy…also, there will be face painting!

To learn more about all these events, and the latest at our school, visit the PTSA website.

Even if you can’t stay for long, stop by and support our school – and the hard work being done for (and by) the children that are Fremont’s future!

The new Center for Wooden Boats Northlake Community Wharf near Gas Works Park, at the grand opening on May 5th, 2012 Photo by K. Lindsay

On Monday, July 2^nd, enjoy a night out at the ballpark as the Seattle Mariners take on the Baltimore Orioles for an evening game starting at 7:10p.  Get tickets through the Mariner’s website, at mariners.com/cwb, and get a discounted ticket (only $15) that also gives a donation to the Center for Wooden Boats (CWB.)

The Mariners are proud to salute and support the Center for Wooden Boats, and its 36^th Annual Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival by giving $7 of every ticket sold for that night’s game to the CWB.  This donation will support the many CWB programs that preserve Northwest Maritime heritage.  Programs now also operating at the Northlake Community Workshop & Warehouse, located just west of Gas Works Park.

Get a group together of friends, clients, family, co-workers and/or acquaintances to go out to the ballgame and support the CWB.  Order tickets on-line today, and plan to make a sunny, summer evening of cheering on our Mariners and our Maritime history!

The Open House begins at 6p, information and an opportunity to meet the project team.  Learn about the progress towards replacing the nearly 100 year old critical conveyance pipeline that carries wastewater from King County’s northeastern service area to the West Point Treatment Plant at Discovery Park.  Called the Fremont Siphon, this pipeline travels under the Lake Washington Ship Canal from a point near 2^nd Avenue N.W. to the Queen Anne side near 3^rd Avenue West.

Fremont Siphon project map provided by King County Wastewater

At 6:30p, the Siphon Replacement project team will give a comprehensive presentation on the design, the location of the replacement twin microtunnels and the proposed construction locations.  They will also talk about mitigation of odors, noise and other construction disturbances.  Perhaps most importantly, the presentation will include a time line for the project.

For those unable to attend the community meeting on May 15^th, the King County project team will also be at the Fremont Fair on June 16^th & 17^th.  For more information on the project, visit the website, or contact Monica Van der Vieren at monica.vandervieren@kingcounty.gov or 206/263-7301.

GiveBIG information and updates are available on www.seattlefoundation.org and The Seattle Foundation’s Facebook page.  Also, learn more details of this campaign, and the Fremont non-profits that participated, in a Fremocentrist.com column dated April 30^th, 2012.

Backdoor Empire?  Did the alcohol really fall off the back of the truck?  While trying to figure out if your date, partner, friend or neighbor is a cold-blooded killer, or maybe just set up to look that way, enjoy an always impressive Backdoor dinner in the elegant speakeasy-esque surroundings.

Order tickets through Brown Paper Tickets, and arrive early to get the best view, or see about setting up a suspect…

Baboon Daniel at the 2010 Solstice Parade Photo provided by Chris Maynard

Join your own primate family!  The Red Butt Baboon ensemble wants you to make a mask and join the fun in dancing to drums, scratching each other and the audience, and finding those tasty lice and vermin that inhabit us all – at the 2012 Solstice Parade.

After May 18th, step-by-step how-to instructions will be made available for creating a baboon mask – for those uninterested in attending the workshops – on the wall at the Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Avenue N.)  Two workshops will be held at the Powerhouse, with instructors and limited materials, on May 26^th from 1p – 3p and on June 2^nd from 3p – 4p.

Learn to make these baboon feet - for use anytime! - by joining the Red Butt Baboons for the 2012 Solstice Parade Photo provided by Chris Maynard

The only requirements for participating as a member of the Red Butt Baboon ensemble will be:

1. a baboon-ish mask
2. red butt cheeks
3. showing up an hour (10a) before the start of the parade, June 16^th, to practice the simple boogie dance and make merry

To learn more about the Red Butt Baboons, and get on the troupe’s e-list, contact Chris Maynard at chris@featherfolio.com.  To find out more about the Solstice Parade, and about entering your own ensemble – or joining another one – contact volunteers@fremontartscouncil.org today!