February 11 is Seattle’s 18th annual Neighbor Appreciation Day, ”a special day to reach out to neighbors and express thanks to all who make your neighborhood a great place.” Neighborhoods all over the city will be hosting special events like work parties and potlucks to celebrate. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods says the day is a homegrown observance:
The celebration began in 1995 when Phinney Ridge activist Judith Wood suggested that the City designate “a special day to celebrate the goodness in those around us and to reach out and strengthen our bonds to each other.” Mayor Norm Rice proclaimed the Saturday before Valentine’s Day as Neighbor Appreciation Day. The observance has grown every year since.
Here is a list of Saturday’s events around the city (from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods):
Fire Station Open Houses
Time: Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.
Location: Fire Stations 5, 6, 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41
Contact: Bill Mace, 386-1337
Description: Several Seattle Fire Stations will participate again this year by hosting community members on Neighbor Appreciation Day between 11AM and 1PM.
Mason Bees presentation
Time: Saturday, February 11, 2 p.m.
Location: Barton St Community Garden and P-patch, SW Barton and 34th Ave SW
Contact: Laura Raymond, 615-1787
Description: Interested in learning how to improve the pollination of plants and trees in your yard? Or perhaps curious how you could support the environment by hosting non-stinging native bees without any fruit trees in your garden? We’ll be hosting Missy Anderson (alias Queen Bee), a King County Master Gardener and owner ofwww.rentmasonbees.com.
Neighbor Appreciation Day Pancake Breakfast
Time: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m. – noon
Location: South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave S
Contact: Carmen Martinez, 684-7451
Interfaith Community Church Historic Building open house
Time: Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.
Location: 1763 NW 62nd St
Contact: Interfaith Community Church, 783-1618
Description: Friends and neighbors come visit this historic building (built in 1890). A brief presentation about our building will be shared at 12 noon. Cookies & tea will be served.
Neighbor Appreciation Day Swim
Time: Saturday, February 11, 12 noon
Location: Southwest Pool, 2801 SW Thistle St
Contact: Nancy Eisner, 684-7440
Description: Join the Pool staff as we celebrate our neighborhood and our swimming patrons! Festivities include refreshments served in the lobby 12-2 pm and the Free Public Swim 1-2 pm.
Fire Station 16 Celebration
Time: Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: 6846 Oswego Place NE
Contact: Bill Mace, 386-1337
Description: Join the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Firefighter’s Union, Local 27 in celebrating the new Fire Station 16. Neighbors will get the chance to tour the new fire station and meet the firefighters. There will be safety information displays, children’s activities, refreshments, and an antique fire engine with historic photos on display.
A “Bird Friendly Neighborhood” Family Nature Explorers Discovery Days
Time: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.
Location: Magnuson Community Center, 7110 62nd Ave NE
Description: Join Magnuson Nature Educators for hands-on indoor and outdoor nature activities for the whole family.
Restoration event at Alder Creek Natural Area
Time: Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m.
Location: 1200 Lake Washington Blvd E
Contact: Wallis Bolz, 329-3672
HANDS ON – Community Skills Fair
Time: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.
Location: Meadowbrook & Ravenna Community Centers
Contact: Elise Koncsek. Learn more at sustainableneseattle.ning.com.
Description: Workshops will include tool sharpening, cheese making, building solar ovens, electrical repair, bread baking, fermentation, clothing repurposing, making apple butter, gluten free baking, cistern installation, plant propagation, fruit tree pruning, and more!
Restoration event at Golden Gardens
Time: Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m.
Location: 8498 Seaview Pl NW
Contact: Rhonda Goebel, rhondagoebel@yahoo.com
Neighbor Appreciation Day Swim
Time: Saturday, February 11, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Ballard Pool, 1471 NW 67th St
Description: Enjoy snacks, games, prizes and a $2 promotional price on swimming, from 12:30 to 1:30 in celebration of Neighbor Appreciation Day.
Discovery Day Work Party
Time: Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.
Location: Magnuson Community Center
Contact: Emily Bishton, 684-7026
Description: Help build the Resource Conservation Landscape, a vibrant garden in the planting beds surrounding the community center. The work will be simple and fun for all ages, and children are welcome if accompanied by a parent or group leader. Volunteers will help build healthy soil by sheet-mulching and adding compost and do some simple re-grading to create level planting areas. Tools, gloves, and refreshments provided for all volunteers.
PNA Mystery Book Exchange
Time: 10 – 1 p.m.
Location: Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N
Contact: Chardell at chardell@phinneycenter.org
Description: Trade your gently used mystery books for something new to read. This event is free.
Restoration event at Longfellow Creek Greenspace – Delridge Natural Area
Time: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.
Location: 2407 SW Graham
Contact: Mike Arizona, m_a1533@yahoo.com
Restoration event at Roxhill Park
Time: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.
Location: 850 SW Roxbury St
Contact: Scott Blackstock, scottie1039@aol.com
Restoration event at Licton Springs Park
Time: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.
Location: 9536 Ashworth Ave N
Contact: Liz Kearns, worklogs@earthcorps.org
For more information about any of these events, visit the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ site.