Almost Time to Go Polar!

For some of the crazy few, it is about time to jump in some cold water to start the new year off right. This year Renton and Ivar's are hosting the first annual Polar Bear Swim at Gene Coulon Park. The "swim" (which is really a fast dip in very cold water and sprinting as fast as you can toward your towel and cocoa) starts at 11AM.

From the City of Renton website:

Polar Bear Dip - Friday, January 1st.
Start your new year with a quick dip into the icy waters of Lake Washington at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, located at 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N in Renton, on Friday, January 1. The Polar Bear Dip, co-sponsored by Ivar's, begins at 11:00 a.m. at the swimming beach located in the south end of the park. This experience promises to be exhilarating for all adventurous participants. No registration is required and a lifeguard will be on duty. Join in and make this unique event an annual tradition.

For information, call 425-430-6700.

Hope to see you there!

Target at The Landing

Enjoying a special time at my wife's happiest place on earth on Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays all!
Cheers,
~JG

More Trails/Transit Headed Our Way?

From the AP via the Seattle Times: Port of Seattle complete rail corridor purchase

"The Port of Seattle has completed purchase of a rail corridor from BNSF Railway for $81 million after nearly two years of negotiations.

King County plans to build hiking and biking trails on the line south of Woodinville. BNSF donated the southern portion of the corridor between Woodinville and Renton and the Redmond Spur that goes through the City of Redmond." Full article.

From the SeattlePI.com: Bikes, trains and hiking boots: Port inks deal for Eastside corridor

"'The port's goal has always been to preserve the corridor and place it in public ownership and we've accomplished that goal,' said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani said in a statement. 'I'm grateful to BNSF for their willingness to work with the port, and to our partner agencies for joining us in the effort.'

King County Executive Dow Constantine said 'this acquisition preserves an irreplaceable asset, addresses growing transportation needs, and provides the chance to expand our regional trail system.'" Full article.


Memorandum of Understanding from the Port here.

Link to PowerPoint about the corridor here.


Your Tax Dollars at Work:

"Will the operator provide commuter rail service?
No. Commuter rail is not included in this proposal. King County citizens will have the opportunity to provide feedback on all uses, including commuter rail, during the upcoming public process. In addition, the Puget Sound Regional Council and Sound Transit are conducting a feasibility study for commuter rail service to the Eastside.

The Sound Transit package on the November ballot contains $50 million partnership contribution toward development of commuter rail for the Eastside; the Port expects that one or more parties will come forward with proposals depending on the results of the PSRC/Sound Transit study.
Any agreements for operation of freight rail will require that future commuter rail be accommodated."

So the line right-of-way is now there. More money needed to make the commuter rail happen.

Good times.

This Just In

The Seahawks just aren't very good this year.

At least the tailgate was good.

Cheers,
~JG

RAYS Breakfast Was a Success!

This is the second year in a row my daughter Rae and I have volunteered at the event held at Dimmitt Middle School in Skyway. Last year, the region was in a bit of a snow storm, so there weren't that many volunteers, or as many partakers in the event.

This year, many volunteers were able to show up:

And lots of folks enjoying the free pictures with Santa, crafts, games, music, and brunch:

Families also were able to take home bags of gifts donated by students at local Renton schools and wrapped by Renton High School students. Some times good things come in large black plastic bags:

Rae and I ran the Ring Toss this year. Participants threw plastic rings , aiming for cans of Campbells soup. If you looped some soup, the can was yours (and a small prize for the kids). Good times.

We'll definitely be back next year! I'll even remember to bring my good camera!

RAYS Breakfast Tomorrow

Rae and I are volunteering tomorrow morning at this awesome event.

Will have pics and the story tomorrow!

SANTA BREAKFAST: A beautiful event organized and run by many wonderful volunteers to offer holiday cheer to families in Skyway. We are estimating that 500 people may show up.

Date: Saturday December 19th
Time and location to arrive: Between 8:45am and 9:00am meet at Skyway Boys and Girls Club for a quick meeting, starting at 9:00am.

Dimmitt Middle School & Skyway Boys and Girls Club:
(Both buildings share a parking lot)
12320 80th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98178

*Please come wearing your RAYS Santa Breakfast T-shirt, or be ready to change into yours at the event.

Time Schedule:
9:00am volunteer meeting at Boys and Girls Club
9:15am begin setting up for the event. (Most of the set up will be done at Friday)
10 am guests arrive
Everyone has a wonderful time: Crafts, Community Providers, Food, Santa pictures, Entertainment, Gifts, etc.
Around 12:30 begin clean up
1pm: We need to be cleaned up and out of Dimmitt; volunteers are welcome to go home when the event is finished.

Posting via email

I think I might have just forced myself out of 1999. Par-tay.
Cheers,
~JG

I'm now, officially, a text blogging fool.

Christmas song list created ...

Check it out on the right!

We'll see if we can share it here with the homies.

Considering what the heck to do with myself in the new year. New ventures? New bike? Doing something that scares the heck out of me?None of the above?

All this and more to come.