Beacon Hill Blog

Traffic congestion expected nearby on Saturday

If you are going to be driving off the Hill on Saturday, be prepared for some congestion both east and west. On the east side, SDOT crews will be repairing roadway pavement at two locations on Rainer Avenue South, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. One location is between South Juneau and South Mead Street, and the other is between South Cloverdale and South Henderson Street. Traffic lanes will remain open but drivers should plan for congestion.

West of the hill, Sounders FC are playing a match against the Columbus Crew at Qwest Field, 7:30 pm on Saturday night. There will be traffic, so be prepared.

Tags: traffic alerts

Drama, chess, and bazaar events in local schools

School may be winding down for the year, but there are still some events at local schools to take note of.

Tonight and tomorrow are the last two nights of Garfield High School’s spring musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Though Garfield is in the Central District, we are told that some Beacon Hill students are among the more than 100 kids who are involved in the production. The play has a bit of a twist; in the story, Victorian actors are putting on a production of Charles Dickens’ final work, but Dickens dies before he can complete it. To solve the mystery of Edwin Drood’s disappearance, the audience votes each night to choose the murderer, and the ending of the play varies depending on the results. Performances are tonight and tomorrow at 7:00 pm, at the Quincy Jones Performance Center at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Avenue. Tickets are $10 ($7 for seniors and students).

Here on the hill, Beacon Hill International School is hosting a Summer Chess Club camp from June 22 to June 26, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The camp is for kids of all levels, in grades K-6, and students will be able to learn chess from the basic moves and rules to “strategy, cool openings, and all the tools to get ahead in the game.” Three-time US Women’s Champion Elena Donaldson and National Chess Master Joshua Sinanan will be the teachers. The registration fee is $219 with a $10 discount for siblings, and single-day and half-day registration is also available. For more information, visit the website, call 206-363-6511, or e-mail chess64@comcast.net.

Beacon Hill International School is also holding its fourth annual Beacon Bazaar on June 13, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. The bazaar will be held along the front of the school on 14th Avenue South. If you’re interested in purchasing table space to sell your wares, stop by the school at 2025 14th Avenue South, or contact Ferdinand deLeon at jifdeleon@gmail.com.

Thanks to Matthew Bates for the chess camp info, Dorothy Orzel for the news about Edwin Drood, and Shelly Bates for info about the bazaar.

Tags: beacon hill elementary, chess, garfield, theater

Beacon Bits: Golf carts, food carts, planning starts

• Neighborhood Planning town hall meeting 9am Saturday at El Centro! Do not miss it!
  PDF with details
• As the neighborhood planning meeting winds down, take the kids (aged 7-18) to the Jefferson Park golf course to register for a free junior golf program offered by the Fir State Junior Golf Foundation. Registration is from 3-6pm on Saturday, May 30th, for an instructional program beginning June 28th.
• Right between the planning meeting and the golf program sign-ups on Saturday, the Denise Louie Education Center is hosting its 4th Annual Children and Families Festival from 1-4pm at the Jefferson Community Center.
• A street food movement is developing in Seattle and Gabriel Claycamp (of the late Culinary Communion and the Swinery) may be bringing it to Beacon Hill for a visit. — The Stranger
• Bumper-to-Bumper looks into light timing along Spokane Street between 15th and Columbian. — The Seattle Times

Be sure to check out the Events calendar for more upcoming activities nearby!

Tags: culinary communion, family, festival, golf, neighborhood planning, street food, swinery, traffic

The BHB wants YOU

Do you have something to say that is relevant to Beacon Hill (North, Mid-, or South)? If so, the BHB wants you. We are looking for guest writers on a variety of Beacon-related topics, and particularly for folks who live in Mid-Beacon or South Beacon. Living toward the north end of the Hill, we know we don’t always hear about what’s going on further south as well as the people who live there do. We are committed to covering the entire Hill, and we are glad to feature other voices than our own.

Don’t be shy — you don’t have to have perfect writing skills to do this. We can polish up your prose if needed.

Here are some potential starter topics, though these are not the only ones, and we welcome your ideas:

• Raising kids on Beacon Hill
• Voices from the various cultures represented on the Hill
• History of the Hill
• Restaurant reviews on the Hill and nearby
• What to do on the weekends
• City political issues as they directly affect the Hill
• Land use and development
• South Beacon Spotlight
• Mid-Beacon Spotlight
• Crime
• Gardening on the Hill
• Schools and education issues
• A Greener Hill: environmental issues
• Beacon by Bus: Life here without a car
• BeaconBike: A cyclist’s life on Beacon Hill (Bike-On Hill?)

Interested in a regular writing slot or just a one-time opinion piece? Either way, email us.

Tags: mid-beacon, south beacon, writing

Beacon Bits: bear apparel, a plant pillager, and a permit

• We may have only had a fake bear on Beacon Hill for one day last week, but that was enough for Behi Bonsai to create a Beacon Hill Bear t-shirt.
• Awhile ago we posted about the plant pilferer recorded by security cameras while stealing people’s shrubs. Neighbor April reports that several neighbors have identified the man as someone who lives near 16th Avenue South and South College Street. A police officer watched the security video, and spoke to the man, who denied stealing the plants. April says “Unfortunately, that probably is as far as it will go — it would be very unlikely that he is actually going to be charged with the theft unless more evidence is provided by others.” If your garden is also victimized, please file a police report.
• The folks at First Choice car wash at 2507 Beacon Avenue South have filed for a construction permit to “Establish use of a portion of commercial building as an auto detailing service, per plan.” The building continues to be zoned NC2P-40, which means that, according to the city land use code, “Drive-in or drive-thru businesses are prohibited” at the site.

Tags: bear, car wash, shirts, theft

Neighbors bearish at BAN meeting

Craig Thompson sends a report from last night’s meeting of the Beacon Alliance of Neighbors (BAN). Here are some of the highlights:

At last night’s BAN meeting, four neighborhood project coordinators decided that whenever we call 911 about crime, etc., we will indicate a bear is part of the action. An all purpose report would go something like:

Fourteen youths have been jumped by a bear making gang signs off campus, near Cleveland High. The bear was later reported pushing a Goodwill shopping cart, and carrying a gas can, while approaching drivers at the Shell station. A bear – identity unclear – was then spotted traversing several backyards, carrying a cash register and an application for a
liquor license. A bear – presumably an ursa minor – was spotted in possession of several cans of Old English 800, Red Bull, and acrylic enamel. Near evening, a bear accosted several residents about free burglar alarm equipment while stealing their potted plants.

80 significant trees in the woods south of Dr. Jose Rizal Park were saved from ivy infestations by two EarthCorps crews this past Tuesday, May 19; a crew will return on June 8 to continue heading south along the west side of Beacon Hill.
More »

Tags: ban, bayview stairs, bear, jose rizal park, p-patch, parks

Emergency drill at train station will cause parking restrictions

Sound Transit, Seattle Police and Fire, and King County Metro will conduct an emergency response drill at the Beacon Hill light rail station (Beacon Ave S. and S. Lander St.) on Wednesday May 27 through Saturday May 30. Please do not dial 911 about the drill activities; it’s only a drill.

Temporary parking restrictions will be imposed on those dates between South McClellan and South Bayview streets on 17th Avenue South from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. This restriction will enable the Fire Department to stage response vehicles during the drill.

Thanks to Steve Louie for forwarding the info to the mailing list!

View Parking restrictions for Sound Transit Drill in a larger map

Tags: emergency preparedness, light rail station, parking

Beacon Bits: liquor licensing, disaster preparedness, and a bike ride to Alki

• A new applicant, Young Rae No, has applied to assume the liquor license at the M.C. Food Store at 4800 Beacon Avenue South (Beacon and Columbian). The license being applied for is “Grocery store — beer / wine”: a “license to sell beer and/or wine for off-premises consumption in bottles, cans, or original containers.” See the notice here.
• A Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) disaster preparedness program is coming to North Beacon Hill, with a workshop on June 4. Presenters from the city’s Office of Emergency Management will discuss safeguarding your home before a disaster happens, quake-safe actions, and building neighborhood preparedness teams. The workshop is free and open to all, at the Beacon Hill Library, 2821 Beacon Avenue South, Thursday, June 4, 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
• 37th District Representative Eric Pettigrew is hosting a community access meeting about health care issues on Monday, June 1, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Room 209, 1634 19th Avenue. The meeting is free and open to the public.
• Hello Bicycle is hosting their first Beacon Hill group bicycle ride this Saturday. All are welcome. Be at Hello Bicycle at 10 am for a moderate speed bike ride with the group to Alki Beach, and return just after noon for tacos from El Quetzal. Hello Bicycle is at 3067 Beacon Avenue South.

Tags: bear, bicycles, disaster preparedness, eric pettigrew, health care, hello bicycle, liquor license, mc food store, not on the hill

BH business district misses out on $thousands

At a community event in nearby Columbia City:

Today Mayor Greg Nickels presented funding awards totaling $128,384 to 22 Neighborhood Business District Associations throughout Seattle to continue the city’s investments in building healthy communities and supporting our local economy.

Some of the projects funded include the creation of new business organizations, business district promotion (branding, marketing campaigns, farmers market start-up), physical improvement and enhancement projects (leaf clean up, curb bulb landscaping and banners), etc.

The 2009 Neighborhood Business District Awards recipients were:

• African Business Association – $5,000
• Business Owners of Madrona – $3,500
• Capitol Hill Housing – $5,000
• Chinatown International District BIA – $7,000
• Columbia City Business Association – $11,880
• Georgetown Merchants Association – $5,000
• Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce – $6,000
• Greater Seattle Business Association – $15,000
• Greater University Chamber of Commerce – $2,000
• Greenwood Phinney Chamber of Commerce – $5,000
• Lake City Chamber of Commerce – $5,000
• Madison Valley Merchants Association – $4,200
• Magnolia Chamber of Commerce – $2,600
• Metropolitan Improvement District – $4,144
• Picture Perfect Queen Anne – $4,000
• Pioneer Square Community Association – $7,500
• Rainier Beach Merchants Association – $3,850
• Rainier Chamber of Commerce – $3,710
• SODO Business Association – $8,000
• South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce – $10,000
• West Seattle Chamber of Commerce – $5,000
• White Center Community Development Association – $5,000

Total Amount of Awards: $128,384

And what about Beacon Hill? How much money did our business associations receive? More »

Tags: business, chamber of commerce, money

A bear that gets around?

This morning around 10:30, there were reports of a bear sighting near 17th & Ferdinand, and motorcycle officers were dispatched to search southward along the Chief Sealth Trail from about 5000 Beacon Avenue.

KING5 and KIRO-TV have preliminary reports.

If this turns out to be the same bear that made the news up north earlier this week, that bear really gets around!

11:50 Update: The P-I reports paw prints and a gnawed-on ice cream container found near the Beacon Hill P-Patch. And KOMO now has initial coverage.

12:45 Update: The P-I adds that Department of Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Kim Chandler doubts the credibility of the reported sighting and that “wildlife agents will not be responding unless additional, more credible reports are received.”

1:30 Update: The Weekly on the false bear alarm.

2:15 Update: The P-I now has pictures of the P-Patch tracks.

6:00 Update: The Big Blog has a photo of the ice cream evidence and Blogging Georgetown breaks out the hazard stats for black bear attacks.

Tags: bear, wildlife

BHIS Read-a-Thon, BAN meeting today

It’s a busy day in North Beacon, where students from Beacon Hill International School are participating in a Read-a-Thon today. This event is to raise money for the PTA, which funds fourth-grade music, after-school sports, fifth-grade camp, and other activities at BHIS. Local coffee shops Victrola (former Galaxie) and Java Love are helping support the Read-a-Thon by hosting “Read Ins” at which students will read and play reading games. Victrola is today’s host, and you can stop by between 3:30 and 5:30 pm to support BHIS. Java Love will host their Read In on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 am.

Later tonight, the Beacon Alliance of Neighbors (BAN) is holding a meeting to discuss grants, crime and public safety information, the status of the west side woods, and summer planning. The meeting is at 7:00 pm in Quarters 1 on the PacMed campus, at the northwest corner of 14th Avenue South and South Judkins Street.

Tags: ban, beacon hill elementary, coffee, pta

Is this your cat?

This friendly kitty was found near 12th Avenue South and South Massachusetts Street, sunning herself in a backyard. Bridget writes to the mailing list, “her tail is injured badly but she seems sweet and calm. Neighbor is going to try to get her some help for her tail.” Is she yours? Email us and we can put you in touch with the kitty’s current caretaker.

Tags: cats, lost pets

Door-to-door alarm system solicitors cause alarm

Several neighbors on the mailing list have mentioned a small group of nervous young men going from door-to-door pitching GE alarm systems. They may just be inexperienced at their job, but their demeanor, lack of brochures and business cards, and hard-sell tactics are causing concern.

Sara from the mailing list mentioned she’d seen them a few years ago when she lived in Queen Anne, and that she’d learned they are BYU students recruited by an alarm company every summer for door-to-door selling.

Reports from Monday and Tuesday have placed them canvassing homes east of Beacon Avenue from 18th to 25th Avenue South.

Contacted via telephone, Tim Burdick of Burdick’s Security on Rainier Avenue relates that he’s received a number calls about these hucksters lately; they were also around Columbia City yesterday. He too mentions that they appear to be some sort of summer program hired by an out-of-area alarm company that hits the region every year.

One of these men actually jammed his foot in the door when the homeowner attempted to close it, according to a caller Tim had spoken to, and they had also mentioned they represented “Platinum Security”. Interestingly, the Beacon Hill Neighborhood Watch crimelog had a report Monday afternoon from 24th & Spokane: “Attempted burglary. White male posing as alarm installer tried to push his way into the house. White hat, blue jeans now headed east on So. Hanford.”

Some digging online turns up Platinum Protection, LLC based out of Orem, UT. A telephone representative confirmed that they do summer door-to-door sales nationwide. While they have a Seattle summer office, contact information for that office was not provided.

In any case, if you feel threatened or in danger, do call 911. Call in your complaints to Platinum Protection as well: 801-223-6500.

Update: They’re active all over nearby; this sounds like them in Hillman City, too.

Thanks to Alex, Joyce, David, Hazel, Ezra, Sara and Sandra from the mailing list, and also to Tim from Burdick’s Security!

Tags: alarm system, platinum, salesmen

Sound Transit can’t avoid the voids

The Seattle Post Globe fills us in on the filling of an eighth “void” along the tunnel excavation route at 18th and Lander. Another potential void is also being examined at 17th as well. Crews are expected to complete investigation and repairs by May 22nd.

After the initial report of the sinkhole that rose all the way to the surface, subsequent voids were identified by reviewing records of excavation spoils for abnormally high readings originally attributed to mismeasurement, accuracy, or instrument calibration issues.

BHB reader Heidi wrote this morning about having seen crews working at these repair sites (and being a bit hesitant about answering questions) and pointed out the crumbling retaining wall nearby. Interestingly, in the Post Globe report Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray states no structural damage has been reported from these voids and that only a quarter-inch of settling has been measured, and none of that near the void sites.

Thanks Heidi!

Tags: construction, property damage, sinkhole, sound transit, tunnel, void

Car wash compliance deadline extended; sidewalk signs illegal

The First Choice Car Wash at 15th and Beacon has been granted an extension on their compliance deadline for filing permits for the business. The new deadline is June 1. The building currently is permitted for a retail use, not for car washing, detailing, and stereo installation. However, as posted earlier, the building is also zoned NC2P-40 (Neighborhood Commercial 2, Pedestrian-Designated Zone, 40-foot height limit), which means that no drive-in or drive-through businesses are allowed. A change-of-use may not be possible in this location.

There is another minor violation of the law at that site as well, though it’s likely they didn’t realize it was against the law, and several other nearby businesses are doing it too. As it turns out, it’s illegal to put A-frame signs on sidewalks, except in certain business districts that have actually obtained special street use permits to allow and regulate them. Those districts are Broadway, Pioneer Square, and Pike Place Market. Period.

Beacon Hill cannot have these signs, legally, unless a Business Improvement Association, historic district, or Chamber of Commerce is formed here. The district group would then need to get 60% of the businesses in the area to sign on, carry $1 million in liability insurance, and then obtain a Street Use Annual Permit from the city. Who knew?

Even in districts that allow such signs, it is illegal to have more than one sign per business, and they have to be directly in front of the business. First Choice has had up to three signs in front of their shop, and one across the street.

Sidewalk signs are relatively harmless, but one can see why limiting each business to one would be a good idea. The signs are taking up space in the public right-of-way, after all. In the case of the car wash, the signs are right in the entrance to two crosswalks. This is probably not an ideal location for pedestrian safety. (Nor is their driveway, as can be seen in the photo with this post.)

Since Beacon Hill’s Chamber of Commerce has gone dormant, it’s not likely that sidewalk signs will be made legal on the Hill anytime soon. In the meantime, First Choice and several other local businesses are violating a law that most of us have probably never even heard of.

Tags: car wash, pedestrians, signage, zoning

It just might be Spring

Thanks to the members of the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool!

Tags: construction, pets, spring

Transportation and construction updates

Some transportation and construction issues you might wish to keep in mind in the upcoming days and weeks:

I-5 Reduced to One Lane for Re-striping

On Saturday, May 16 at 9:30 p.m. crews working for Sound Transit will begin reducing northbound lanes on I-5 between S. Spokane Street and Olive Way. Drivers should plan ahead and expect delays. This work is being done in preparation for the University Link Light Rail construction which includes closing the Olive Way off-ramp on Monday, May 18.

Drivers should expect to see the first lane closure on northbound I-5 at 9:30 p.m., the second at 10:30 p.m., the third lane closure at 11:30 p.m., with all traffic shifted to the far right lane by midnight. All northbound lanes of I-5 will reopen by 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 17.

Crews will also close ramps to and from downtown Seattle on northbound I-5. The University Street on-ramp will close at 9:00 p.m., the Cherry Street on-ramp at 10:00 p.m and the Seneca and 4th Ave off-ramps at midnight. All ramps will reopen by 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should follow the signed detour during the closure.

For more information about this project, contact Erin Hunter at (888) 298-2395 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org.

Project information online: http://www.soundtransit.org/i5undercrossing

S. Spokane Street Viaduct Project

There is currently a temporary closure (approximately seven weeks) between Airport Way South and 6th Avenue South on South Spokane Street, to allow placement of a water quality vault underneath the Spokane Street Viaduct. This surface closure does not affect vehicles approaching Spokane Street from northbound I-5 (via exit 163) or from Beacon Hill (via S Columbian Way). Vehicles from these directions will make a slight jog to the left as they proceed west through the intersection at Sixth Avenue South.

Eastbound lower Spokane Street remains closed between First and Sixth Avenues, with a detour route north on First or Fourth to Lander. This eastbound closure will continue into mid-2010, although the section between the E-3 Busway and Sixth Avenue S will reopen this summer.

Click here for more information

SR 519 Intermodal Access Project

In this WSDOT project, crews are building a bridge over the railroad tracks on Royal Brougham Way and connecting a new off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 to the Edgar Martinez Way overpass near Safeco Field. Crews have completed widening of First Avenue S and S Atlantic Street. These improvements will enhance safety and traffic flow for people heading to and from the Port of Seattle, the waterfront, sports stadiums and destinations in the SODO neighborhood.

S. Royal Brougham Way will be open with one lane in each direction at least two hours before all Mariners games between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. Left turns from northbound Fourth Avenue S. to westbound S. Royal Brougham Way will be prohibited. When S. Royal Brougham Way is closed, access to the Qwest Field Events Center garage will be provided from First Avenue S. and Occidental Avenue S. Pedestrian access will be provided at all times on the north sidewalk of S. Royal Brougham Way.

Click here for more information

Thanks to Sound Transit, Steve Louie, and WSDOT for the information.

Van Asselt celebrates 100th anniversary; old annual illustrates life on 1920s Beacon Hill

Van Asselt Elementary on South Beacon Hill opened as a 4-room schoolhouse one hundred years ago, in 1909. Since then, the school has served thousands of children, as well as the larger Beacon Hill community.

This year is Van Asselt’s final year at the original site, as the school district has decided to close the Van Asselt building and move the program to a new location at the current African-American Academy site, further south on Beacon Avenue.

To mark this bittersweet occasion, the community, former staff and students, and current and future Van Asselt families are invited to a 100th Anniversary celebration and reunion on June 12, from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at the school, 7201 Beacon Avenue South. The event will include an open house and tours by students and staff in historical costumes, musical performances, speeches from community leaders and students, historical displays, and a cake and snack reception.

Lissa Munger from Van Asselt says, “We’re also collecting stories and memories from Van Asselt’s past. These can be sent to me (ecmunger@seattleschools.org), or to VanAsselt100@gmail.com. ”

The photo to the right is of a particular Van Asselt memory, a 1921 annual, that we discovered recently.

The Totem Annual, Volume II, June 1921, is a collection of mimeographed pages in a construction paper cover. It was produced by the seventh grade class that year, and the staff included Editor-in-Chief Helen Mance, department editors Elizabeth Wallace, James Scott, Arlee Baer, Martha Hansen, and Walter White, and illustrator Tom Petersen. The students included poems, historical drama, book reviews, and dreams of their futures. Unlike some school annuals, this one doesn’t contain student pictures.

Read on to see some excerpts from the Totem (there are a lot of them):
More »

Tags: 1920s, reunions, schools, south beacon, van asselt

Help find a stolen wheelchair

Neighbor Erin Musser’s wheelchair was stolen as she picked up her son from school last week. She writes:

My name is Erin Musser and my family and I have lived on North Beacon Hill for over 12 years. I rode my power wheelchair as usual to pick my 6 year old son up from Beacon Hill International School at 4:45 pm on Friday, May 8. I signed him out, descended the dozen or so stairs balancing myself with a cane and was puzzled when my chair wasn’t there.

I called the police and 2 different squad cars came after making a few sweeps around the neighborhood to no avail. I spoke with one of the teachers who said he saw my chair heading north on 13th Ave South ridden by a young male with dark curly hair and dark skin. He could only see a short tuft of curly dark hair above the back of the seat which indicated the alleged suspect was most likely fairly young.

The entirely black chair is a Jazzy Power Chair Model 1122.

Any information can be e-mailed to me at: epoly@aol.com or you may call our home number at (206) 860-6928. Thank you for any leads you can give.

KIRO TV has a video report.

Thanks Sara for the video link.

Tags: stolen property, wheelchair

Chesnut has been found

(Editors’ note, May 21: Chesnut has now been found. Thanks for your help, everyone!)

Saber Head writes, looking for a lost cat:

Hi there-

I lost my cat last night on Saturday, May 9th on 12th and Atlantic. He is a male domestic silver tabby and goes by the name Chesnut. When called he does come to the sound of his name. His stripes are very faint, and barely visible, he has lighter coloring on his chin and has white lines around his eyes (looks like white eyeliner). He is quite friendly, but I dont know what his behaviour might be outside. He likes shrubs and bushes, if you happen to see this cat around, please call us! He is an indoor cat and has been outside once or twice. Please let us know if you see him. I am so worried about him!

Last seen: May 9th, 10 PM
Name:Chesnut
Type: Silver tabby-Faint stripes-lighter color around mouth and underbelly