Get on Your Conductor Hat for the Holidays

From ice skating to concerts, there's a quite a bit of holiday fun to be had right now at Seattle Center's WinterFest. But for kids who love trains, the chance to drive one through a miniature turn-of-the-century winter village is very exciting!

Choo choo!

Members of the public can take a turn driving the miniature locomotive between 10:30am to 12 noon, 1pm to 2:30pm and 3:30pm to 5:30pm daily through December 24. It's free, although there is a suggested donation of $2 and it's worth every penny.

And even if you don't want to drive, or are too little, it's fun to watch!

A perfect view

Holiday activities coming to Capitol Hill

It looks like Capitol Hill may be getting more kid friendly this holiday with numerous activities planned for the neighborhood.

Here's when Santa is coming to Broadway Market:

Fridays, November 25 - December 23: 4 – 8 pm
Saturdays, November 26 - December 17: Noon – 9 pm
Sundays, November 27 - December 18: Noon - 6 pm
Saturday, December 24: Noon - 5 pm
Closed Christmas Day

For more information on photos, visit www.santaphotos.com.

There's also plans to turn the reservoir at Cal Anderson into an ice rink, with proceeds going to the park and community. Here's more information, via Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

Town Hall Meeting Information

Mayor McGinn is hosting a Town Hall at Miller Community Center on Tuesday September 13. The Town Hall starts at 5:30, with Q&A starting at 6:30. If you are coming to support park safety, please wear green. Hope to see you there!

Please sign the petition for safe parks!

You can sign here. Thank you!

Park safety is not about the homeless

I was misquoted by Q13 Fox last night and it makes me mad.

After putting myself out there to help my community and be the voice for so many that are afraid to speak up, I am now being made to look as though I am anti-homeless.

So, for the record. This is not about the homeless. This is about criminal activity.

If you live in a mansion and are selling drugs in the park, then I think you are in the wrong. If you are homeless and selling drugs in the park, same thing goes. When it comes to illegal activity, residential status should not be taken into account.

If you have comments or questions please post them here. Just note that I do not post anonymous comments. I am putting my name out there and I will ask that you do the same.

Seattle PD increases foot patrols

Here's the latest story from Q13 news. Also, here's a follow on the Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

Don't forget that the Town Hall with the mayor is on September 13 at Miller Community Center!

And you can sign the petition here.

Mayor McGinn announces new emphasis on park safety

I'm delighted that Mayor McGinn announced a new emphasis on park safety today! You can read his announcement here.

After spending the last six weeks tweeting, emailing, blogging and talking with local media, including the Capitol Hill Seattle blog, KOMO TV and radio and Q13 Fox, I feel like the parents of Capitol Hill have been heard.

I will be interested in seeing the results of this new emphasis, and I encourage you to post your thoughts about it here or email me directly at lauraporto@gmail.com.

I still plan on attending the Town Hall on September 13 at Miller Community Center, and I hope you will do the same if you are concerned about our parks. I think it is time to both thank the mayor and to let him know that we will be watching for results.

Thanks to everyone who has emailed, tweeted, signed the petition, and kept watch over our parks. Let's hope they become a safe place for our children--and everyone--soon.