Another safety test closes MLK this weekend

This Saturday, January 24, 9 a.m. to noon, there will be another safety drill at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South Cloverdale Street in preparation for the opening of Link light rail service.

During the test, MLK will be closed to through traffic from South Kenyon Street to South Henderson Street except for Metro transit service, which should not be affected by the closure. Detours will be in place, and motorists will be guided through the detours by police officers and signage.

Grown Folks to show inauguration

Photo by Dan Lurie.
Photo by Dan Lurie.
Looking for a local site to watch the inauguration? Grown Folks Coffeehouse at 4878 Beacon Avenue South will be broadcasting it from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm. They have a fireplace, TVs, coffee and tasty food, so it should be a comfortable and cheerful place to watch history unfold.

Gary at Grown Folks would also like to pass this message along:

“We at Grown Folks would just like to thank everyone for supporting us, especially during this very tough economy. Your support is deeply appreciated. We simply can’t thank you enough for being such a great neighborhood to do business in.”

Volunteers clean up and replant Jose Rizal Park

Volunteers were at Jose Rizal Park this weekend to kick off the MLK Weekend of Service by doing some needed cleaning and maintenance in the park. According to Elizabeth White of EarthCorps, who managed the project, 86 volunteers removed 6,000 square feet of new ivy, maintained 48,421 square feet of past work sites (more than an acre!), and planted 325 native plants. Wow! Thanks to all of the dedicated volunteers for their hard work in improving one of the neighborhood’s jewels!

“Going reusable” with help from the SPL

Going green with reusable shopping bags. Photo by Ruthie Ruth.
Going green with reusable shopping bags. Photo by Ruthie Ruth.
Levecke Mas writes:

“Without declaring it a ‘new year’s resolution’ but rather a lifetime goal, our family of four is trying to say ‘no’ to the plastic bags. So far this year, we have been successful! From the way in which we shop, we estimate that to be about 100 bags we have not taken!

“Part of the success is being ready; we have amassed tons of great totes and the trick is remembering to bring them into the store or being willing to run back to the car because you forgot — again.

“I just want to share with all my neighbors, that the Beacon Hill Library is selling awesome reusable bright green totes for only $1. They are perfect for stacks of books so also perfect for all grocery items. Sales of the totes benefit Friends of the Beacon Hill library so everyone wins.

“Try ‘going reusable’ as often as you can or all the time!”

Beacon Bits: Painting, zoning, and protesting

Portrait by Mimi Torchia Boothby.
Portrait by Mimi Torchia Boothby.

Beaconian tells of bicycle journey through Thailand and Laos

Beacon Hill resident and KUOW commentator Willie Weir and his wife Kat spent three months in 2006 bicycling in Thailand and Laos, enjoying amazing travel experiences while discovering the differences and unique challenges of each country. Weir will present the story of their journey, A Tale of Twos: Cycling Thailand & Laos, at the REI flagship store on January 22 at 7:00 pm.

Beacon Bits: Goodbye Planet, hello antennas

MLK Day planting party at Hanford Steps

Hanford Steps under renovation - Photo by Jason
Photo by Jason
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th, a planting party will be hosted by the neighborhood group SONG at the Hanford Steps at South Hanford Street & 25th Avenue South.

Party participants are encouraged to bring gloves, shovels, trowels, raingear (just in case), and snacks!

If you can spare some time and labor sometime between 10am and 5pm (particularly between 2 and 5), the Steps and your neighbors near them would be mighty appreciative.

The original invitation mail from Jorji and a map is after the break.
Thanks, Jorji!

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