Ten Magnolia residents met in October, 2007 for a Climate Dialogue.  Monthly meetings continued and in early 2008 the group took the name Sustainable Magnolia.  In March 2008, Sustainable Magnolia became a WA Non-Profit Corporation. Sustainable Magnolia’s mission is to educate and actively engage citizens to help mitigate the climate crisis and to promote a sustainable quality of life in our community. Since that first meeting, Sustainable Magnolia’s activities have been diverse.  In 2008, we participated at the University of Washington’s Focus the Nation; the Greenwood-Phinney Green My Ride event; and Lawton Elementary School’s Science Fair.  At these events, we brought our Pace Car for the Planet initiative which focused on how driving speed and behavior can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also promoted the Walking School Bus program in Magnolia and volunteered time in the Magnolia CoolMom.org group’s “Fuel Free Fridays” grant. In the spring of 2008, through a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Small Sparks Outreach grant, Sustainable Magnolia joined the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, had three special spring meetings on the Science of Climate Change; Transportation Choices; and Local Food, Farmers Markets; and tabled at the Magnolia Farmers Market into the fall.             In 2008-2009 we worked with Seattle City Light staff on a Neighborhood Power Project in Magnolia.  This included: a meeting focused on conservation; soliciting residents for energy audits; and giving out CFLs and conservation information at the Farmers Market and at two of Magnolia’s community events, the Halloween event and the Holiday event. In 2009: we applied for and received a graduate student from the University of Washington, Daniel Evans School of Public Affairs, to work with us January-May, 2009. His graduate thesis project was on food waste recycling in Magnolia.  We had a volunteer working with him to help do interviews with food waste generating businesses in the neighborhood.  In February, we helped with the Mayor’s Clean and Green Event in Magnolia.  In April, we sponsored a Seattle City Light presentation on City Light’s Strategic Plan and Five Year Conservation Action Plan at the Community Center in Magnolia, with participation from the Interbay and Queen Anne communities.  In May, we offered Green Building 101 Class at the Magnolia Community Center. In the spring of 2009, we received two grants from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods for the In Motion Project and “Yes Magnolia Recycles!” Magnolia’s Community Recycling Outreach Project.  Both projects finished up in the fall. Sustainable Magnolia sponsored a third project that year, the 350.org event, which took place on October 24^th.  We recruited about 125 volunteers of all ages who planted 350+ trees in Discovery Park that day, with support from theDiscovery Park staff.  Sustainable Magnolia also raised the funds to buy the trees for this event. In 2010 two interesting projects were started.  The Manor Park project was funded through a Deptartment of Neighborhoods grant - the hope to move the lidded reservoir fences, in order to gain 2 acres of land back for the park and get Magnolia's first P-Patch.  A new group, "Friends of Magnolia Manor Park" continue with this effort today. Another one of our members designed and led three, local University students in a project to bring regular recycling and compost recycling to multi-family housing in Magnolia.  The team worked closely with Seattle Public Utilities and Cascadia Consulting Group staff. 2011 – We  applied to the non-profit, Northwest SEED to be the next Solarize Seattle neighborhood.  We were chosen and the Solarize Magnolia project began June 16th and ended Dec. 31, 2011.  There were 26 installations with some still pending in 2012. For further information about Sustainable Magnolia contact info@sustainablemagnolia.org .

Birdhouses - the perfect present for a grandchild or any bird lover!  And it's a good cause - helping to make a P-Patch at Magnolia Manor Park.  Kits $15, assembled $20, includes decorations.  Free delivery in Seattle area. Call or mail orders to Carol Burton, 4052 Williams Ave West, Seattle, 98199.   Phone 206-691-1298.  Checks should be made out to Friends of Magnolia Manor Park; or credit cards - need number, expiration date and name for credit cards. Or make a tax deductible donation to Friends of Magnolia Manor Park - perfect gift for that friend or relative who already has everything! Here is the link to more Birdhouses  http://magnoliamanorpark.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/birdhousechoices1.jpg  

A number of  businesses and organizations have helped with this project and we say "Thank You" to the following staff and/or owners of the following: Magnolia Mailbox, Magnolia Garden Center, Magnolia Community Club, Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, Upper Crust Bakery, US Bank, Ace Hardware, Serendipity, Umqua Bank, Blaine K-8 school, Lawton School; Peoples Bank, Seattle Pie,  Heron Habitat Helpers, Magnolia Historical Society, Magnolia Farmers Market/Neighborhood Farmers Market Association; Magnolia Library, Seattle Parks/Discovery Park, Magnolia Rotary, Interbay Neighborhood Association, Interbay Farmers Market, Magnolia News, Magnolia Voice, Interbay P-Patch newsletter, Seattle City Light and last, but not least, our partners - the non-profit, Northwest SEED and our Contractor, Puget Sound Solar! Latest Update: 171 registrations; site assessments and installations continuing.  Last Day to contract for an installation with Puget Sound Solar is December 19th.  Installations will continue into 2012

Sustainable Magnolia needs a Treasurer  --  a central and essential participant in every project we do, and a member of the Board.  Do you want to care for our environment behind the scenes?  Perhaps this opportunity is for you. Our Treasurer....

• records dollar inflows and outflows in Quicken and maintains backup
• reconciles bank statement and writes checks (about 10-20 per year, depending on grants)
• prepares invoices for grantors, deposits reimbursement received, and disburses funds to service providers (1-2 grants/projects per year)
• reports income, expenses, bank balance, and expected upcoming expenses at each board meeting (about 2 per year) and at year-end (December 31)
• files our annual tax return (federal 1120)

Non-grant cash flows are typically $250 - $500 per year. Grant cash flows are more. Expected time investment is 5-10 hours per month (sometimes more in the midst of a grant). Our outgoing Treasurer, Ginny Harkness, moved to Kirkland.  She is leaving records and instructions -- both digital and paper -- since Sustainable Magnolia’s inception -- in up-to-date, clean and organized condition.  Ginny is willing to be available as needed by phone to assist our new Treasurer. Best fit:  organized, detailed, conscientious person willing to sort out basic grantor and tax instructions. If questions, or if you would like to review records, please contact Board Chair Becky Brauer at beckyrex@comcast.net or 206-283-2688. -