Boulevard Lane's Soos Creek Walk/Run/Wheel, June 1st!

Hey everyone, mark your calendars the Boulevard Lane's 2014 Soos Creek Walk/Run/Wheel!  That's right, "WHEEL" has been added to the name for even more diversity and fun!  Bikes, trikes, strollers, skateboards, skates - they're all game!

The event will be this coming Sunday, June 1st, from 9:00 am to noon.  We will have cold refreshments and snacks - free to all Boulevard Lane members and guests.  That's right, bring a guest!

This will be our third year of doing this event, and the first two years were a lot of fun.  It's so great to meet other people in our  community that enjoy the trail too, weather it is walking, jogging, biking, or whatever.  You've probably passed them many times throughout the year without even realizing they were your neighbor!

I will be set up at the intersection of the parking lot entrance and the Meeker Middle School entrance.  Look for the balloons and canopy - you won't be able to miss it!

I look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Don Geyer
VP, Programs

Bark Day - May 17th!

Ozzie's favorite community event is coming up - BARK Day!  Mark your calendars for May 17th, but don't wait that long to order!  We are accepting orders immediately!

Spring is here and once again the BLCA is happy to sponsor the very popular Bark Day where residents can have bark delivered to their homes in quantities from 1 to 5 cubic yards.

PRICING:

BLCA members: $18/yard for first two, and $23/yard each additional.  Non-members: $28/yard (LIMIT two yards).

Don’t miss out on this opportunity that only comes once a year!  Requests must be made and paid for in advance. Space is limited. If you are interested in ordering bark, please make your request no later than 5pm on May  15th, 2013.

Contact Andrea Upton, VP of Community Development by phone at (425) 226-9620 or email your order to info@boulevardlane.org

Please provide the following when you email or call to include your name, address, yards of bark and location of where you want bark delivered.

A New Website and New Direction for Boulevard Lane

Don Geyer

I am proud to announce that the NEW Boulevard Lane website is up!  This project has been in the works for some time now, with the goal of relieving Sarah, our former web designer, of the task.  Sarah moved away from Boulevard Lane several years ago and has many other projects keeping her busy now.  This also puts BLCA directly in control of the site's design, content, and updates.

The web site is not completely finished.  We will be making present and recent Criers available for download in PDF format soon, while older Criers will be available upon request (subject to availability).  The archive of old Criers were just taking up too much server space, costing us money. 

There will likely be other small changes as well as we move ahead, including updates to the Information Links page.

I'm really excited about this new direction, and hope you will take a moment to check the new site out.  The web address remains the same - www.boulevardlane.org.

As always, your feedback is welcome.

Don Geyer - VP, Programs

Soos Creek Trail Project Update

The Soos Creek Trail expansion project is moving forward!  As you may know, the trail has been constructed in phases, with the eventual goal of extending it all the way to intersect with the Cedar River Trail - an exciting 11 mile trail in total length, with opportunities to make your outing even longer!

I recently contacted Mr. Karan Soi, the Capital Project Manager for this project, and asked him for a status update on this much anticipated expansion.

"The budgets to complete the design and construction documents for the  Soos Creek Trail  Segment 1 (  SE 192nd. Street to SE Petrovitsky Road)  were approved in the 2014 budget . We are currently in the process of signing the contract with our Consultants to complete the  segment 1 design from 60% to 100% Construction Documents including all the permitting approvals . The bidding  and construction of the project will take place in early 2015 contingent upon the approval of the construction funds for the Segment 1 in the 2015 Budget by the King County Council ."

The picture above shows a breakdown of how the remaining segments are divided.  Be sure to click on it to see the larger version.

And what about the rest of the segments?  Soi explained, "Design and construction of the remaining segments 2,3 & 4 ( see attached )  will be completed depending upon the priority and availability of budgets  in the coming years."

This is excellent news, and even more reason to celebrate during our upcoming Soos Creek Walk/Run in June!

Don Geyer - VP, Programs

A Message from the President Rob North:

Boulevard Lane Neighbors

All of you have received this years membership form and I encourage all residents of Boulevard Lane to join. I would like to, on behalf of the BLCA board, personally thank all of our neighbors who have already joined for 2014. THANK YOU!

As you have noticed dues increased this year to $30, after being $25 for several years. As a courtesy, I want to explain why dues have been increased. First, postage has been rising steadily as have other costs that we have no control over. Secondly, the BLCA board is focused on the appearance and maintenance of our entry. The entry is our collective front door and reflects the pride we have in our neighborhood.

Several years ago Bud Battle, during his time as President, led the effort to replace our entry signs, the signs at the entrance now are the results of that effort – they are treasures. However, the signs need periodic maintenance. The dues increase will allow us to begin accruing a maintenance fund for each sign that will allow future BLCA boards to maintain the signs on a schedule.

Trees – they grow. As the entry signs need upkeep, so do the trees at the entry. Your BLCA board is also planning on accruing funds to maintain the trees at the entry on a schedule.

In addition to what I have described above your dues will continue to support the events that we have come to expect each year: The Easter Egg Hunt, The Garage Sale, Bark Day, Soos Creek Fun Run/Walk, and Dumpster Day to name a few.

I encourage all residents of Boulevard Lane to join the association. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Rob North

President, BLCA

The 12th Man in Boulevard Lane Cheers Their Seahawks to Super Bowl Victory!

Wow!  What a turnout!  As I came around the corner with my family, I could not believe my eyes - the street was lined with people on both sides chanting, "Go Hawks!"

Yes, the Boulevard Lane 12th Man turned out in numbers to raise the 12th Man flag before Super Bowl XLVIII, and it appears there may be a correlation between the size of the Boulevard Lane turnout and the margin of victory for our beloved Seahawks!

We estimate over 70 people showed up to raise the flag on Super Bowl Sunday, far surpassing any previous turnout.  Again, Wow!  And we would like to offer a special Thank You to the Schutters for handing out complimentary "12" signs to all the kids - awesome!

As we know, the Seahawks went on to completely dominate the game with a 43-8 victory, becoming Super Bowl champions and finding themselves being compared to some of the greatest defenses of all time. 

Thank you to all the Boulevard Lane 12s that turned out yesterday.  Be proud and know that your spirit is no secret to the greater Fairwood area.  That's right - you've made the news!The bench mark has been set!

The season is now over, though the celebrating will last throughout the off-season.  We look forward to seeing all you 12s again next season to continue the tradition!

GO HAWKS!

Go Hawks! And A Special 'Thank You' To Our Boulevard Lane Community!

 

What a season for our beloved Hawks, huh?  Of course, this crazy season is going to come to a climactic end on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII as the Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos in Met Life Stadium in New Jersey.  It is going to be an exciting game!

Andrea Upton, our VP-Programs has made the season even more fun for us here in Boulevard Lane.  Every game day she has held a 12th Man flag raising at our entrance, and invited all to come.  Typically, this occurred two hours before each game, and ended with a "GO HAWKS!" cheer.

This event took place for every single game throughout the season.  And in the rare occasion that Andrea couldn't make it, she passed the flag on to me and made me promise I would not let her down.  I didn't!

With the Super Bowl only a couple days away, I would like to thank Andrea for starting this fun tradition for our community.  More importantly, I would like to thank all the residents of Boulevard Lane that have taken time to join us, even for a single flag raising.  It has meant a lot to us!

But we are not done yet.  No siree!  This Sunday is the game our Seahawks have been playing for since August, and training for since last spring.  This is for all the marbles and we need your help!  Please join us in our final flag raising of the season and give our team one last "GO HAWKS!"  We will be meeting at the entryway at 2:00. 

Finally, I would like to share images taken of the 12th Man flag raising from throughout the season.  We had many regulars, including a superstitious neighbor who believed not attending would bring bad luck, and would call ahead if he was going to be late!  We also had many who, due to busy schedules, could only attend here and there.  They were still important!

Oh, did I say finally?  Oops!  I forgot our four legged friends!  Olive and Ozzie were an important part of our mornings, and there were others.  Feel free to remind me of their names in the comments section below!

Again, thanks to ALL!  I hope to see a CROWD of MASS PROPORTIONS on Sunday!  GO HAWKS!!

Don Geyer