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Next Tues., April 19, from 7 to 8 pm, Seattle Parks and Recreation will host a public meeting at Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S.) in Columbia City to invite ideas for local park trails.

These meeting is an opportunity for trail enthusiasts to provide input and ideas on how to preserve and develop Seattle Parks and Recreation soft surface walking and hiking paths. Trails and related activities rank very high on the list of activities that Seattlites enjoy, and these meetings will provide essential direction in how Parks protects and improves these assets.

“Trails are the entry way for the public to enjoy our urban forests,” said Mark Mead, Seattle Parks Senior Urban Forester. “While the user groups vary greatly from joggers to bird watchers to folks getting from one side of the neighborhood to the next, this process will allow us to connect better with them on a common thread: safe and accessible trails.”

On November 30, the Seattle Seahawks visited the Preschool classrooms at Wellspring Family Services, bringing with them holiday meals, gift cards and footballs for the children and families. Meanwhile, 4-year-old Isaiah took advantage of the opportunity to impress Patrick Williams and Ben Obomanu with his muscles and superior strength.

Roy Lewis and Ben Obomanu play with students Sem, Sosena and Betselot in the Preschool classrooms.

Patrick Williams reads a nap-time story to 4-year-old Logan.

Roy Lewis plays with 4-year-old Sem in his preschool classroom at Wellspring Family Services.

Citizens of Washington State are encouraged to nominate their local hero for the 2010 Washington State Jefferson Awards:

The Jefferson Awards is considered the “Nobel Prize” for public service. We are looking for people who make a difference: individuals who have made their community, the nation and the world a better place either through their jobs or volunteer service.

In 1972, the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft Jr. founded the Jefferson Awards. Since then, the Jefferson Awards program has become a unique nationwide effort that recognized the highest ideals and achievements of individuals in public service in the United States.

About the process: Five volunteers from Washington State will receive the Washington State Jefferson Award. The winners will be judged by a panel of community leaders and their stories will be told on Evening Magazine the week of April 5th. One winner will represent our state in Washington D.C.

The public will help select that National Nominee by watching Evening Magazine the week of April 5-9, and voting for their favorite National Nominee at KING5.com. Anyone can vote. All five winners will be recognized at a breakfast on April 27 in Seattle, and the National Nominee will be announced at that time. The public is invited to attend the breakfast to honor our Jefferson Award winners and take part in the call to action for volunteerism.

How to submit a nomination: Go here to submit your nomination. Nomination materials must be RECEIVED by CityClub no later than 5 p.m., Mon., Feb. 15. Complete and submit a Nomination Form, or mail, e-mail or fax the completed Nomination Form and other supplemental enclosures to:

CityClub, Attn: Jefferson Awards Committee, 1333 Fifth Avenue, Suite 24, Seattle, WA 98101-2600. jeffersonawards@seattlecityclub.org; Fax: (206) 467-7394; Phone: (206) 682-7395.

Last year, longtime Seward Park neighbor and community volunteer Mariana Quarnstrom was honored for her work in the Rainier Valley community with the 2009 Washington State Jefferson Awards. Photo/do communications, inc.

Related:

• South-End Activist Honored With Prestigious Public Service Award (5/23/09)

From King County Animal Control:

King County residents are encouraged to prepare their pets for hot weather over the next few days as temperatures are predicted to reach at least 90 degrees in some areas.  In the last several days, King County Animal Control Officers have responded to multiple calls from concerned residents who have seen dogs left alone in warm cars by their owners.

“Our weather is normally pretty comfortable year round and people often forget that animals are wearing a fur coat 24 hours a day,” said King County Animal Care and Control Interim Manager Nancy McKenney. “They have a hard time handling sudden increases or decreases in temperature, so humans need to help them stay cool and not over exert them when it is hot outside.”

Leave pets at home rather than taking them on errands in the car. Cars can act like ovens; the inside temperature rises quickly, even in the shade with the windows cracked.  Animals left in a hot car for even a short amount of time can suffer from heatstroke or death.

If a dog or cat shows signs of being overheated, such as faster than usual panting, a bright red tongue, thick or sticky saliva and dizziness or vomiting, move them to a cool area and apply cool water or cold towels to their head, neck, chest and foot pads, and quickly take the animal to a veterinarian.

Dogs and cats also face other hot weather dangers. Their paws can be burned by walking on hot pavement, and the skin on a dog’s nose can sunburn.  Be sure animals have access to shade and plenty of fresh, cool water while outdoors.  For additional precautions, consult your pet’s veterinarian.

If you see an animal left unattended in a hot, parked car in a store parking lot, first contact store security or management for assistance. Otherwise, contact King County Animal Care and Control.

By taking these simple precautions, pets and their human companions can have fun in the sun and have it made in the shade.

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