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So, the City’s been talking about improvements to their recycling program that start at the end of March. Great for them, but what about those of us with a different service provider? Here’s the info on how Impact Property Services’ Solid Waste Division is handling the change:

It is with great pleasure to announce Impact Property Services customers will receive the same service in SPU’s “Curb Waste” brochure. This month customers that do not have yard waste service will receive a letter from Impact Property Services explaining the new organic and yard waste.

New Curbside organics collection:
Customers will return the bottom portion of the letter (paid postage response) announcing their selection from a 13 gallon, 35 gallon, or 95 gallon cart, or they can opt out and compost food and yard waste at their home. If a customer does not reply they will be contacted by an IPS service representative or will automatically receive a 13 gallon cart. However, residents that opt out and rather compost on site, they will be contacted by a city inspector to confirm their home composting exemption.

The Cost for the yard waste / organic carts:

• 13 gallon = $3.60 per month
• 35 gallon = $5.40 per month
• 96 gallon = $6.90 per month
• Additional cans, bags, and bundles of yard waste will be charged $2.95 per unit.

Other Collection Services:
Impact Property Service has been proud to offer our customers for years the opportunity to dispose of old televisions, motor oil and appliances. If an Impact Property Service customer requires a special collection they would need to call (206) 716-1310 extension #10.

A friendly customer service agent will assist you with all services and pricing will be explained to you over the phone. All items will need to be outside your home and at the curb for collection, on a scheduled day. After you have a scheduled day for collection a professional driver will arrive and remove the unwanted items, and a follow up call to ensure 100% satisfaction.

We are happy to announce that we have improved our communication with our customers through our new website at http://www.impactpropertyservices.org/solidwaste. There you will find up to date customer information, pay with credit card information.

Impact Property Services Solid Waste Division is committed to, waste reduction, recycling and composting, and fast effective service, as it is our goal to provide complete customer satisfaction.

The Voice Resident Advisory Committee meets monthly to discuss The Voice newspaper, the SHA newspaper. If you read The Voice, you’re already a VRAC member!

Join us at the Voice Resident Advisory Committee! Tyler Roush, The Voice editor, hosts a monthly meeting to hear from SHA community members about what they would like to see in the paper. The group reviews the previous issue, discusses topics of interest, and recommends stories and directions. It is a particularly great opportunity if you are interested in writing stories.

When: 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4
Where: The Jesse Epstein Building,
905 Spruce St. (south of Harborview)
The VRAC meets in the first-floor conference room, to the left as you enter the building. An accessible entrance located on east side of the building. Please ring the buzzer for entry.

For more information, please contact Tyler Roush, The Voice editor, at “tylerr (at) nhwa (dot) org” or 461-8430, ext. 227.

Effective communication between parents and children is crucial to building and maintaining healthy, strong families!

Please come and join New Rainier Vista parents and all others who are interested to discuss “Communication between Parents and Children” with guest speaker Karol Swenson, Education Manager at the Neighborhood House.

Friday, March 06, 2009
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Neighborhood House Paul Allen Room
4410 29th Avenue South

All community members are welcome!

For more information please contact Seble Melsfin, Group Leader at “seb6mike (at) yahoo (dot) com” or Naomi Chang, Community Builder at “nchang (at) seattlehousing (dot) org”.

The last few days have been a welcome reminder that it will not be cold and gray around here forever. Even though Spring doesn’t officially start until the middle of next month, and even though it’s likely to be wet and miserable some more, the plants outside have started waking up already. On the Landscape Committee’s walkthrough this month, we saw crocuses in bloom and lots of daffodils getting ready for center stage. It won’t be long before the dandelions follow.

So, just a reminder that it’s time to start paying attention to your yard. For homeowners, please remember that Impact is only contracted to mow lawns. You are responsible for making sure that your non-lawn areas are weed-free. Adding mulch to these beds will neaten their appearance and suppress weeds. Also, the next few weeks is an excellent time to trim off any remaining die-back from last year’s growth, especially on the lavender and coneflower plants. You’ll know in the next six weeks or so which plants didn’t survive the winter’s freezing and will need to be removed and/or replaced.

There will be free flu shots available (both shots and nose spray options) on Saturday, Feb.14 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club (4520 MLK). Parents must accompany children to give permission. There will be a certified medical Solmali translator on hand for the entire event.

In the summer of 2009, Sound Transit’s Link light rail trains will begin carrying riders between downtown Seattle and Tukwila. By late 2009, service will extend all the way to SeaTac Airport. But before service begins, Sound Transit must decide how much passengers will pay.

Sound Transit is proposing a distance-based fare for Link, with discounts for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities. Under that system, Link passengers will pay a base price for a ride, with the cost increasing the farther you go. Complete details can be found online at www.soundtransit.org/linkfares.

If you can’t make the public hearing on the subject (Feb. 5, noon, 401 S Jackson St), email your comments and suggestions to linkfares@soundtransit.org or call 206-398-5404.

Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management is offering three FREE emergency skills training courses this spring.

• March 7: Fire Extinguisher & Utility Control
• April 4: Disaster First Aid
• May 30: Search & Rescue

Enhance your ability to personally respond during disasters and learn essential life-saving skills.

All classes are held on Saturdays at Magnuson Park. Although there are no fees, registration is required. Call 206-233-7123 or email “snap at seattle dot gov” to register or for more information.