Snow Shoveling Flash Mob

[tom lang]

At the Greenways meeting last night we had a long conversation about how our streets look after a snowstorm. It’s encouraging to see so many people are interested in making our streets more accessible during and immediately after severe weather events. 

One idea that was suggested is to organize flash mobs - groups of people outfitted with snow shovels - to clear sidewalks, crosswalks, and park areas in our neighborhoods. Along with the volunteer labor, these groups could also leave a note for the property owners explaining that it is their responsibility to keep the sidewalks clear of snow, ice, and even bushes and branches that impede accessibility.

In addition to residential streets, many of us saw the sidewalks neglected in front of major institutions such as North Seattle College. These volunteer shoveling groups would clear the sidewalks in front of major institutions while posting on social media before and after photos, with the intention of applying public shaming to correct the behavior in the future.

QUESTION: When the next snowstorm hits, is this type of direct action something that you would join? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions to add? Snowshovels to contribute to the cause?

If we decide to form a volunteer snow shoveling flash mob, we’ll need about $100 to purchase a set of snow shovels. One idea is to join a fundraiser night at a local brewery. Do you have any other ideas?

- Tom

P.S. For those who were on the call last night, here’s an example of a DIY snow-made speed control project: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXMw-Ycg5jr/

[Barney Baker]

Good idea.  I have found that if I get out just after a big snowfall I can clear several inches of snow with just a plastic leaf rake very quickly and easily.  If I wait until it gets compacted by feet and tires, it is so much harder.  Barney Baker

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[Lee Bruch]

Great idea and I'm willing to help - I have a great (old) metal snow shovel, a plastic leaf rake that is good for fresh fallen snow, a pickaxe that is great (and needed) for breaking up compact snow and ice, and a couple of buckets that can be used for sand (sparingly and in places where it will likely end up in landscaping rather then water drains.

It's a good deed, it may contribute to a change in snow-culture, and could be used as a way of attracting more people to our causes. With proper acknowledgement some stores my be interested in contributing.

I just contributed a lengthy thought about snow management in another thread on these 2 google groups.

ARC  -  Aurora Reimagined Coalition

Email: AuroraReimag...@gmail.com
ARC Google Group: aurorareimag...@googlegroups.com
Website: https://www.got99problems.org/ 

Lee Bruch

    206-355-4282 cell & text

    Lee....@outlook.com

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From: licton-hall...@googlegroups.com <licton-hall...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Barney Baker <barney...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 5, 2022 1:16 PM
To: tom lang <tomofwa...@gmail.com>
Cc: Licton-Haller Greenways Google Group <licton-hall...@googlegroups.com>; Greenwood-Phinney Greenways Google Group <greenwood-phi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Snow Shoveling Flash Mob

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/licton-hallergreenways/CACpf8t_UM%3DaHVwnWPbPYLsdVqqp88A4POcVhZ%3D3cZmPfJgnw-Q%40mail.gmail.com.

[Teresa Damaske]

I'd like to help with this effort. I thought it was interesting that I didn't receive any emails from the City reminding residents they are responsible for clearing sidewalks. I was thinking about it after our meeting and remembered getting an alert or push notification from the City before the excessive heat we had last summer. I think having a snow event like this last one that trapped some people in their homes merits the City using this system to tell people to clear the sidewalks, help their neighbors shovel, and share shovels. 

On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 1:59 PM Timothy Fisher <timfi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Same here! Happy to join this effort, as well. Thanks.

On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 1:34 PM Rich Knox <rich...@gmail.com> wrote:

I haven’t been active in this group at all, but I’d be happy to help out with snow shoveling. I have a shovel. The recent snow convinced me I also need an ice scraper and access to sand. I’ll be watching for sign up opportunities.

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[Forrest Baum]

It looks like snow may happen this week! 

Should we put the word out that we’re ready to activate? 

–Forrest 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/greenwood-phinney-greenways/CAKqT_19qctuU%3Ddw_g6JqLr8oO8jCK-Ush3vFescewnNRtuiXSA%40mail.gmail.com.

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Forrest Baum

[tom lang]

Yes, definitely, Forrest!

As a reminder for everyone, we formed a Spontaneous Snow Shoveling Group last year and held a small fundraiser to buy shovels and other snow-clearing items. When the time comes and there’s a need to take collective spontaneous action, we’ll send a notice out to the Google Group: 

Subscribe to this Google Group if you’d like to be alerted when there’s a need for sidewalks to be cleared or if you’d like to call attention to a sidewalk that needs to be cleared.

- Tom Lang

On Nov 3, 2022, at 7:35 PM, Forrest Baum <forre...@gmail.com> wrote:

It looks like snow may happen this week! 
Should we put the word out that we’re ready to activate? 
–Forrest 

On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 5:21 PM Teresa Damaske <tdam...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'd like to help with this effort. I thought it was interesting that I didn't receive any emails from the City reminding residents they are responsible for clearing sidewalks. I was thinking about it after our meeting and remembered getting an alert or push notification from the City before the excessive heat we had last summer. I think having a snow event like this last one that trapped some people in their homes merits the City using this system to tell people to clear the sidewalks, help their neighbors shovel, and share shovels. 

On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 1:59 PM Timothy Fisher <timfi...@gmail.com> wrote:
Same here! Happy to join this effort, as well. Thanks.

On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 1:34 PM Rich Knox <rich...@gmail.com> wrote:
I haven’t been active in this group at all, but I’d be happy to help out with snow shoveling. I have a shovel. The recent snow convinced me I also need an ice scraper and access to sand. I’ll be watching for sign up opportunities.

On Jan 5, 2022, at 1:28 PM, Lee Bruch <lee....@outlook.com> wrote:

Great idea and I'm willing to help - I have a great (old) metal snow shovel, a plastic leaf rake that is good for fresh fallen snow, a pickaxe that is great (and needed) for breaking up compact snow and ice, and a couple of buckets that can be used for sand (sparingly and in places where it will likely end up in landscaping rather then water drains.

It's a good deed, it may contribute to a change in snow-culture, and could be used as a way of attracting more people to our causes. With proper acknowledgement some stores my be interested in contributing.

I just contributed a lengthy thought about snow management in another thread on these 2 google groups.

ARC  -  Aurora Reimagined Coalition
Email: AuroraReimag...@gmail.com
ARC Google Group: aurorareimag...@googlegroups.com
Website: https://www.got99problems.org/ 

Lee Bruch
    206-355-4282 cell & text

    Lee....@outlook.comFrom: licton-hall...@googlegroups.com <licton-hall...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Barney Baker <barney...@gmail.com>