So I've been curious, and it's proven harder then I thought it would be, to get a list of what is needed in that community. I found a list from a previous thread on the forum but it was 4 months old. I found a phone number from a different thread and the gal that answered told me to email a guy, but every time i try to email the addy that she gave me Gmail bounces it back to me, either bad domain or unrecognized email.
Can someone help me out?
Thanks all!
Will
celeste17
Member Profile
Hi Hondro,
Try Mike S. he is a resident at Nicklesville and will be able to tell you what is needed. It might take him a little while to get in touch as he doesn't have a set connection.
Hi Celeste... and thank you for responding!
I have tried MikeS... He's the one who's email address didn't work :-).
I've seen lots of other posts from people that might know the info that I need... I"m hoping one of them will be willing to share the info :-)
celeste17
Member Profile
Try Job at joanne@brayden.org. She is heavily involved with Nicklesville. You can also go by there and talk with any of the residents and they could give you some ideas. And don't forget that there is a BBQ and dessert pot luck tomorrow.
More than anything right now is FOOD. One of my employees who lives there says there is not a lot of food.
While a pig roast is fine for right now it is a one time deal, and anything left over is tough to keep as they have no refrigeration. Although I don't think much will be left over.
Again this is straight from my employee.
Hondo..
My first suggestion would be to come down to Nickelsville tomorrow and meet people there.
If you want to come early i will be there helping to set things up by 2 PM at the latest.. and in and out all morning. I would be more than happy to introduce you the people who can give you answers.
but to answer your more direct question...
It's nearing the end of the month so food is of greater importance since almost everyone's food stamps are gone.
you can do food one of two ways...
you can commit for a meal which is supposed to be arranged through Scott Morrow.. Nickelsville staff
or.. you can simply donate food to the camp.
if you donate food i would suggest canned foods ..
either in one on two person servings or in the large bulk food size.
they love canned meats of any kind... peanut butter (they get bread donations)... and just about anything easy to reheat.
they don't really have the ability to refrigerate food. They do have a few small coolers but keeping ice in them is always a problem.
they need tents. They are currently at capacity and many of the tents they are using are worn out. they also need tarps...
they need bedding.
they need wood pallets and plywood to keep tents off the ground in the rainy season
They need building supplies as they are in the midst of putting up more sleeping structures.
They will be breaking the camp into two neighborhoods next week so the push is on to create structures..
They always need batteries of all sizes...
they do have the use of a generator for a couple of hours 2 times a day so it is possible that rechargables would work.
they need clean burnable firewood.. preferably cut into managable sizes...
they need clothing and sponges and paper products and eating utensils and unbreakable plates and ...
they need assistance.
one of the local lumber yards has been giving them offcuts for firewood and they could use help getting it to camp.
that may be way more than you wanted to know
or way less...
feel free to email me at joanne at brayden dot org if you have questions.
i am in camp 5 or 6 times a week... so am generally pretty current on what they need at any given time
or... you can just post here.
the next time miws signs on he will get you an answer...
hammerhead..
the pig roast is a birthday party...
with luck we have provided enough food for leftovers..
but you are right..
that isn't going to get them through the month
Hammerhead: I'm truly not trying to offend. I understand you have a cleaning business and that you hire from Nickelsville (as per posts you have written in the past).
Do you perform background checks for all your employees? How do you make sure that you're not putting your clients at risk?
miws
Member Profile
Hi Will, Thank you, (and everyone else!)
JoB came up with a very comprehensive list of our current needs, most likely because she makes the occasional visit to us. ;-)
Anyway, if you have any specific questions regarding other needs and such, or as Joanne mentioned would like to deliver a meal, Scott
Morrow's e-mail addy is: scott@nickelsville.org, or voice mail: 206-250-9136.
And as Joanne suggested, come on down to our 3rd Birthday Par-tay, Saturday from 3:00-5:00 pm!
Mike
Jiggers
Member Profile
Roast pig sounds ono.. Too bad no can make fresh hot rice to go with it..:(
waterworld
Member Profile
Seattle_Rose: Pamela and her crew have been cleaning my house for a couple of years and I have never had a problem of any kind. I know a number of her other clients, and they will tell you the same thing. I don't need Pam to do criminal background checks on her employees for me to figure out whether I am taking a risk: if you let people into your home -- any people -- you are taking some kind of risk. A criminal background check isn't going to eliminate it.
.
Personally, what bothers me about this line of questioning is that it reflects the assumptions that (a) someone who lives in Nickelsville or someplace similar is more likely to have a criminal history, and (b) it is imprudent to employ people with criminal histories. I would much prefer to live in a world where people who want to work can work (and earn a living wage). And I especially want people who have served time to be working, since that's the single most important predictor of whether the individual will commit new crimes after being released. Denying employment to folks with criminal backgrounds makes it much more difficult for them to rejoin society and stay on the right side of the law.
.
None of this is to say Pamela doesn't do background checks -- I have no idea. All I know is that her workers are uniformly friendly, respectful people who work their asses off. Actually, I know one other thing, which is that thorough criminal background check isn't cheap. You can get something crappy for $25 or $50 but it won't be reliable. That expense adds a lot to the bottom line of an ultra-small business.
Seattle_Rose
over the past 4 months or so I have had approximately 25 different Nickelsville Residents come to my home to do yard and housework.
i tell them the same thing every time a new person comes to my house... "I have two choices, i can trust you completely or I can watch you like a hawk. I am choosing to trust you completely."
I watch the car mirror as I make that little speech and see those who have been to my house before smile as I start my little "speechifying".
I have never had a single thing go missing.
There are some workers that I haven't invited back because I didn't feel they worked hard enough...
or because their skills didn't match my needs...
but for the most part I have had a wonderful crew of workers transform my garden, clean my house and make sense of the storage dump that is my garage.
And I have made some good friends who genuinely care about me.
If it hadn't been for a couple of Nickelsville residents who were working for me the day I had the allergic reaction... I might have delayed seeking help until it was too late.
They urged me to get medical care immediately and used their limited cell phone minutes to check on me and make sure I was ok.
The people at Nickelsville are just people who for one reason or another had the kind of bad luck they couldn't recover from.
I can tell you that you can find talented workmen in every field at Nickelsville. I have met and seen some of the portfolios of carpenters, framers, dry wall specialists, cabinet makers, tile setters, mechanics, flooring specialists and a host of others not in the trades...
you really should come down to see for yourself what they have been able to make for themselves in this empty field with mostly cast off materials.
I think they will surprise you. They are constantly surprising me.
MousePotato
Member Profile
The owner of Budget Blinds has about 8 4x8 pallets available. I think I can bring them down if they are needed. Let me know...
Mouse Potato
pallets are always appreciated.
one of their next projects is to build a shelter entirely of pallets...
MousePotato
Member Profile
Alright. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday but I will bring them down.
if you go over the steps into camp to the security tent and tell them you have a donation.. they get them out of the truck for you.
Jiggers
Member Profile
So how did today go, was there a good turnout? I bet there's no roast pig left. Also, I'm just wondering how big was that pig?
miws
Member Profile
Jiggers, it went pretty well.
Piggy was around 120-125 lbs. Don't know exactly how much was leftover, but I think we put a pretty good dent in it.
Wish you could have come down and joined us, not only to be able to meet you, but roast piggy made me think of you, since it's kind of an Hawai'ian thingy.
Oh, and I forgot to ask which part of the pig was the Spam.... ;-)
Mike
miws
Member Profile
Ding dang double posting!
miws...
did you make it up to the bbq to see the parts that Big Daddy was still cooking long after that pig had been sliced up and served?
That's the part that spam is made of...
I got tastes of nearly everything and he is right... it was the best parts:)
I think you guys will be eating those this week. I am pretty sure he was planning to cook up something mouth watering today... and he told the kids that the pig would be the best soup they ever tasted by the time they got home from school on Monday.
Kootch said that he had never seen a pig cooked down that far...
but i am guessing that jiggers has:)
You missed a great pig roast jiggers
and we missed you.
jiggers...
besides the pig.. we had hamburgers, hot dogs, at least two casseroles, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, bean salad, watermelon, cornbread, maraschino cherries, buns and too many desserts to mention..
and that was round one.
After the pork was served, and after dessert, a pastor brought in fried chicken and the fixings...
I had to roll out of there by 7:30 or so..
but there wasn't much left on the tables by then:)
If you measure a party's success by the amount of food concerned.. this was one great party.
But for me, the measure of a good neighborhood party is whether everyone had fun .. and it was hard to tell who enjoyed the guitar player more.. the kids or the grandparents in the crowd:)
i'd say a good time was had by all..
every pet won a prize... and every owner beamed.
even the goats seemed to have a good time
they got new name tags:)
miws
Member Profile
JoB, no, I didn't make it out there to see what Daddy was cooking up, However, I did hear something about his soup!
Also, from what I understand our other regular donor, that you finally met the other day, took some bones home to make us up some soup!
Mike
miws..
very tender bones those were too..
i saw them being collected
I have no way to haul palettes but have noticed them often in a couple of places that I frequent if there is anyone who wants to look into it further.
The alley in Alaskan Junction behind Husky Deli and up on the next block behind where the liquor store used to be. There are often palettes next to the dumpsters in this alley.
There is also a company just up the hill from Nickelsville (don't know the name). I know some companies recycle palettes but there always seems to be a bunch out in front of their building. Don't know if anyone has asked there for them previously.
Costco also has tons out behind where their dumpsters are.
I don't know if any/all of these are available but if there is someone who has the means to haul them, those are some places to look.
MousePotato
Member Profile
I have a few that I will bring down in the next day or 2 but I'll be using company trasnpo to do it. I'll ask the boss if he will let me use the transpo for additional runs and if he's good with it I will run around a bit on my own time to pick these up and drop them off.
alki_2008
Member Profile
If someone has access to the types of vehicles to transport wood/pallets (ie, a truck)...then there are a lot of pallets to be found for free via Craigslist. Pick some up and take them to those that need them, if you're so inclined.
Some current postings:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/2614239318.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/2614086742.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/2602519732.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/2608702256.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/2606963831.html
celeste17
Member Profile
I also saw a bucket of wood outside of Alki Lumber today (looks like scrap wood). You might check with them to see if they will give you clean scrap wood.
as these posts illustrate...
the biggest problem is getting vehicles big enough to haul pallets and wood.
i have a ford ranger with a canopy that i can sometimes steal from hubby for the day and i have been making runs in that...
but the size of the cab really limits the number of helpers i can take with me...
and i can only have the truck on days when i won't have the dogs:(
If hefting those pallets into your vehicle is a problem, you can drop by Nickelsville first,
and the security people will find able bodies to send with you to collect pallets and wood.
They send help with me all of the time.
As winter seems to be setting in, wood is a huge issue for them.
Pallets that can't be used for building are often burnable wood...
they light their common area, get warm and cook with wood.
they can literally use all they can get.
Easily solved problem.
miws
Member Profile
I've said it before, and I'll say it again; West Seattle RAWKS!!
Mike
MousePotato
Member Profile
It will probably be Thursday or Friday before I can bring the pallets down but after that I think I will be able to use the company van to pick up local pallets. I'll be paying for gas so I can't afford a lot of driving but if there are pallets available in WS I will be happy to take the time in the evening to pick up and drop off.
miws
Member Profile
Thanks, MousePotato!
Mike
MousePotato
Member Profile
I got a company van today and the approval from the owners to pick up local pallets and deliver them. I will be bringing the pallets that we have in the next day or two and am willing to grab more a couple times a week as they are available. I'm not too far away but will be throwing in a few bucks for gas when I make a trip so I'd like to limit my pickup area to WS. I will check the links above and craigslist as well to see what I can find. Seems like they can always use them so I'll try to make a regular thing of it as much as possible. The van is a good size so I think I can fit 8 or 10 per trip.
I don't have a lot of money to offer them but time I can give...
MousePotato
great timing. they are trying to put a floor under their new 10x20 kitchen structure and that takes a lot of pallets...
Mousepotato
I am told the pallets at budget blinds have been picked up
munchkin22
Member Profile
To clarify, the pallets were picked up and taken to Nickelsville where,as I write, they are being placed as the foundation of the new kitchen which should be completed by day's end.
Sorry Mousepotato, it was just more convenient and timely that we grabbed them this morning. Hope we didn't inconvenience you. All for the same good cause.
MousePotato
Member Profile
No worries. I was feeling guilty for taking so long. Glad they made it down there. I'm still willing to deliver more from the WS area when they are available.
that's a win win
MousePotato
Member Profile
I'm pretty good at construction as well and might be able to lend a hand if needed.
miws
Member Profile
MousePotato, thank you, and when you come down, be sure to ask to speak to one of the Structure Masters. (That is, of course, after introducing yourself to me first! Just ask for "Pet Monitor" Mike, as I'm one of several Mikes in Camp.)
Mike
MousePotato
Member Profile
Pleasure meeting you Mike and thanks for the tour. I have some re-bar that I will bring down (per discussion with DeShaun SP?). I also have 11 pieces of very durable 4x8 feet siding that I will need help bringing down. I'll try to schedule that for sometime this weekend. I spoke with one of the construction people over the phone and they sounded interested. I also have about 20 pieces of the same siding that are 1x10 feet. It's good solid weather proof siding.
miws
Member Profile
Great meeting you too, MP!
You might want to give the Security Desk ring as you pull into the parking lot, so they can open the Donation Gate, and round up some help to carry stuff in.
Thanks!
Mike
MousePotato
Member Profile
I've been looking around for pallets and found this ad on craigslist:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/zip/2623004269.html
Looks like an endless supply. Unfortunately I cannot use the company van to drive to Everett and back but if anyone has a vehicle large enough and the time/gas to do it this looks like a great opportunity to get K-ville a bunch of wood....
miws
Member Profile
Thanks for the link MP!
Mike
Now that I've been to Nickelsville for a donation and tour, I'm a bit confused - where exactly is this new entrance? When I came, it was in that parking lot, a gravel staircase near the donation tent and bathrooms. When I drove by last night on my way to Burien, I noticed it was blocked off with a Stop sign. So if I was coming with a bag of groceries, let's say, where would I go? Is the entrance still in that parking lot or somewhere else?
sue..
really good question.
and one that seems to be taking some time to resolve.
as a donor with a balance disorder
i won't walk down the side of marginal way with traffic rushing past to visit.. let alone to deliver a bag of groceries. It's too dangerous.
Nor am i going to stop my vehicle by the side of the road with trucks rushing past.
I think it's too dangerous for residents as well and fear someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed before either the camp's management or the city and/or county and/or state recognizes the danger. I don't know who has primary responsibility for the roadway at that point.
And i don't think i am going to go up those steps and try to navigate through the opening on the crest of that slippery berm on the other side of the steps to do so either:(
the fixed portion of the gate completely blocks access to Nickelsville from the safety of the steps they installed during the last rainy season that had people slip sliding down that hill.
I donated the gravel and rebar to stabilize those steps after i slipped, fell and injured my foot there this spring.
It's a shame.
I donated at Nickelsville as much for the opportunity to get to know the residents and to offer individuals opportunity as to keep those people at the bottom of our hill from starving or running out of water or wood or propane or shelter or bedding or ....
I am afraid that their new entrance and restricted parking lot entrance has made Nickelsville no longer accessible to me or other disabled donors.
I guess you can just pull up in the parking lot and call the security phone number to see if someone picks it up and comes to retrieve your donation..
that is, if you find it posted.
I am absolutely tickled to report that tonight the residents of Nickelsville voted to reopen their front gate.
by the time i left this evening, the gate had been opened and it was once again possible to use the stairs.
Yeah!
a big thank you to Nickelsville's residents>
miws
Member Profile
And a big thank you to you, Joanne!
Mike
My daughter took hot food last evening to Nickelsville. When we left the gate was still there but a meeting was going on. I agree on the safety of the new entrance. I don't drive and if I did I would not want to park on that busy street and get out of my car. Daughter takes her little grandaughters and no way will park there and let them out. Never know where they will dash to. They look forward to playing with their "friends" there.
I'm no kid by a long shot and prefer the original entrance and steps. Someone always offers help should I need it. By the way Im one of 2 who brings lunch every Saturday. It takes longer to get help at that entrance now. Before we were welcomed every time. Now confusion as to where to put the lunch. I like that covered area, its like a common area to eat and socialize, or not. I've trie an email I was given to register for bringing food and it wouldn't work. Now what? We've been there every Saturday since the party. And yes there was lots of food. My daughter and I asked for the "Piggy" bones to make soup. Next week she took Barley Soup on Sunday. That pig went a long ways.
There seems to be a lot of confusion there now with all the changes, some not so great. Would liked to have gone to the meeting this morning.
BettyT
The morning meeting is on Wednesday and Nickelsville supporters are welcome.
However it is at the SHARE headquarters downtown.
I stopped by the camp this morning and found attitudes much improved.
while i appreciate Mike's thank you, all i really did last night at their Sunday meeting was ask a question and stay to witness their democratic process.
I was pleasantly surprised at how welcoming they were.
the residents of the camp agreed with the rest of us that the new entrance is not safe... and they wanted to open up the old entrance badly enough to ask that the matter be voted on immediately.
i too like the shelters...
i wish they would figure out how/where to put them to make them work better for the winter.
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