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Beacon Bits: Potluck chocolate ribbon nuisances

November 18th, 2009 at 1:08 pm | 3 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

Judith Edwards sends a couple of event reminders to the mailing list:

Mark your calendars for two upcoming events! On Thursday, December 3, the North Beacon Hill Council will hold a potluck dinner and honoring ceremony to recognize those who have worked so hard in the past year to make our community the wonderful place it is to live, and to plan our focus for the coming year. We’ll meet at 6:30 in the Community Room of the Library. Please bring a dish to share, and your ideas for where you want the Council to focus it’s efforts in the coming year. We’ll combine eating with a ceremony to honor the NBHC Board and the others in the community who have made so much happen, followed by a business meeting at 7:30. Please plan to attend and be part of the voice that speaks for our community.

and

On Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10:00 AM Festival Street will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony! Festival Street is that block of Lander between Beacon Ave. and 17th Ave., just south of El Centro del la Raza and north of the Light Rail Station. There will be coffee and donuts donated by local merchants, tents set up in case of rain (in Seattle?), and visits from City leaders. Please come celebrate what the Pedestrian Task Force and Robert Hinrix have worked so hard to bring to fruition.

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Also via Judith, from Vinh Nguyen:

You are invited to help restore Lewis Park for the last event to it’s natural habitat this Sunday, November 22nd, 2009. Lewis Park forest stewards will be at the park between the hours of 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Tools, gloves and water is provided. Feel free to bring your own gloves if you would like.

This weekend, we are working at the three locations: The Triangle Area, North Slope, and the South end of Lewis Park. We will be mainly applying wood chips, and some planting native trees. We hope you can make it.

Please email Vinh if you’re considering helping out.

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Dee from Yoga On Beacon wrote to announce YoBe’s 3rd Annual Holiday Bazaar is this Sunday, November 22nd, from 12:30 to 5:30pm

Enjoy holiday cheer, tea and cookies, YoBe friendly faces, and cool, quality world products from Four Winds Decor on Queen Anne Hill. Items will include jewelery, pashmina shawls, hand-made soaps, knit goods, silk scarves, journals, hand bags, bamboo ware, and much more! Make your holiday shopping a breeze and have fun too!

All YoBe products will be 10% off. First 20 people will get a free YoBe Tee!

YoBe is located at 3013 Beacon Avenue South.

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A “nuisance properties” ordinance has been approved by the Seattle City Council’s public safety committee. From the P-I:

The ordinance would define “chronic nuisance properties” as places where crimes or drug dealing or other nuisance activities occur at least three times within 60 days, or seven times in a year. Offenses such as prostitution, weapon violations, assaults or gang-related activity would be included in the definition.

The police chief would be given authority to declare a property a chronic nuisance. The owner would be notified in writing and given seven days to respond. The property owner would then have 30 days to work with the police on a plan for clearing out the nuisance activity, or face penalties of up to $500 per day for not complying.

Update: from a City Council news release this afternoon:

The Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee voted this morning to amend the land use code to allow expedited demolition of derelict properties that too often become magnets for criminal behavior in neighborhoods. Council Bill 116642 provides an exception to city land use laws requiring plans and permits for replacement structures before demolition is allowed in single-family zones.

Update to the update: West Seattle Blog has more on the derelict properties measure.

Via the Trash Problems with am/pm Convenience Store in South Seattle blog.

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Java Love, Kusina Filipina, and El Quetzal received health inspection visits last week. (Remember, red-level violations are corrected even before inspectors leave.)

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Speaking of El Quetzal, Jon Gould recommends their new winter beverage on the mailing list:

Juan and Elena at El Quetzal have a new winter offering…an amazing, thick cup of hot chocolate. It is super tasty. The way they make this traditional Mexican drink is pretty cool: They start with dry corn kernels which are softened in water for a few hours. Then they blend the softened kernels with water until the consistency is silky. This is then put on the stove to cook with Mexican chocolate and fresh cinnamon – while a patient person slowly whisks the thickening drink.

The result is a smooth, rich cup of chocolatey wonder. In Spanish, this drink is called “Champurado.” If you arrive at El Quetzal and don’t remember the name just ask for the hot chocolate made with corn.

It’s awesome. Enjoy.

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Finally, Joel points out in the forums that light rail all the way to the airport starts December 19th!

Random emphasis by me. Thanks Joel, Jon, Judith, and Dee! All of the above events and more are (or shortly will be) on our event calendar for your reference.


Beacon Bits: Off the rails, on the record, at the party, and eating right

November 16th, 2009 at 4:13 pm | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

KING 5 has a slideshow and story of a Link Light Rail train derailment today in SoDo.

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KOMO’s (and Beacon Hill’s) Travis Mayfield has posted an interview he conducted with Senator Patty Murray on health care. Travis also points out Mike McGinn’s “Victory Party” taking place this Friday, November 20th, at the NewHolly Gathering Hall, to which everyone is invited.

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The Seattle Institute for Biochemical and Clinical Research located at the VA hospital is seeking a full time Research Dietitian, if you happen to know a dietitian looking for a gig.

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Supposed to get pretty windy tonight and tomorrow, like it was early this morning; make sure your garbage cans and lids and such are secure and aren’t blowing down the street.


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More Bits: Luminaria, sing-a-longs, matching money, and more

November 12th, 2009 at 11:16 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason
Luminarias photo by AZAdam. At the Beacon Hill Library on Saturday, learn basic paper-cutting techniques using scissors and a hole puncher to make your own decorative Day of the Dead luminaria.

Luminarias photo by AZAdam. At the Beacon Hill Library on Saturday, learn basic paper-cutting techniques using scissors and a hole puncher to make your own decorative Day of the Dead luminaria.

This Saturday, the 14th, from 2 to 4pm, an introduction to traditional Day of the Dead crafts with artist Amaranta Ibarra Sandys will be at the Beacon Hill Library. This event is free, requires no registration, and is open to everyone ages 5 and older.

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Craig Thompson has resumed regularly updating the Beacon Lights column at the P-I, most recently considering Sound Transit, the mayoral race, and Dow Constantine.

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Next Thursday, November 19th, from 6 to 7:30pm at the Beacon Hill Library, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is hosting free technical assistance workshops to educate neighborhood groups and community organizations on funding opportunities under the Neighborhood Matching Fund. The program provides cash awards to community organizations for neighborhood-based projects. Proposals are due as early as January 11th for “Small and Simple” projects.

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Metro has introduced a new reroute notification system where you can sign up for email or SMS alerts if your bus has been rerouted due to snow or other emergency condition. — Seattle Transit Blog

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200 student poet-athletes will be participating in their fall season-ending America SCORES Seattle Poetry Slam tomorrow, November 13th, from 5 to 6:45pm. Join them at the Cleveland High School Auditorium. Call 206-988-1000 for more information.

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Rise up Singing — a family-friendly, evening sing-along with Albert Kaufman (the human jukebox). Former Beacon Hill neighbor Albert Kaufman will be back in town on Saturday the 14th at OmCulture near Gasworks Park from 7 to 9:30pm. Albert will be leading a sing-a-long with special guests and children of all ages are welcome. Thanks for the notice, Mira!


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Beacon Bits: Four Amigos, food safety, and funky foliage

November 12th, 2009 at 7:06 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

KPLU has a lovely story about “the Four Amigos”: Roberto Maestas, Larry Gossett, Bob Santos, and the late Bernie Whitebear, activists who played a large role in Seattle’s history over the last 40 years. Maestas, of course, played a particular role in Beacon Hill’s history by helping found El Centro de la Raza, and leading the organization until he retired recently.

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BeHi Bonsai, the blog about the funky topiary foliage found throughout Beacon Hill, has found a yard that goes above and beyond the call of topiary duty: “Rings of foliage waft above the ground magically as if there is some unseen creature underground blowing leafy smoke rings for our amusement.”

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Health Department restaurant inspectors have recently visited a few more local establishments. Results of the inspections are posted online. The Aloha Grocery at 7762 Beacon Avenue South had 8 “blue” violation points (”surfaces not maintained, clean, sanitized”), El Delicioso at 2500 Beacon Avenue South had 5 blue violation points (plumbing issues), and Wing Luke Elementary School at 3701 South Kenyon Street scored a perfect 0. (Congratulations!) Dahlak Eritrean Cuisine at 2007 South State Street (at the foot of Beacon Hill, near Oberto’s) received 10 “red critical” violation points, for inadequate hand washing facilities.

Context: 45 or more red violation points force a re-inspection within two weeks, 90 or more red points force closure of the establishment, and 120 or more total (red and blue) points force closure of the establishment as well. So all of these businesses were in no danger of closure. Even one red violation is enough to result in an unsatisfactory inspection, however, and specialists work with the operators of the establishment to make sure that the situation is corrected immediately.

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Beacon Bits: Cheasty, permits, gardens, and snow plans

November 7th, 2009 at 12:39 am | 6 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason
Photo from Seattle Department of Transportation

Photo from Seattle Department of Transportation

Cheasty Boulevard to get new brown street signs thanks to the Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks (FSOP)’s recommendation made after the 2003 Seattle Olmsted Park System Centennial celebration. More about the signs in Crosscut.

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Speaking of Cheasty, Green Seattle Day is tomorrow. They’re looking for volunteers to help out in the Cheasty Greenspace at 10am Saturday, rain or shine.

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Recommended boundary maps for Seattle Public Schools new student assignment plan. The school board votes November 18th. There’s one more public meeting on Saturday (tomorrow).

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The Friends of the Seattle Public Library encourage you to email the undecided City Council members and help keep the Beacon Hill Library (and several others) open more than 35 hours a week.

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Identical permits to “Construct alterations to replace doors, windows and install air blend fan, per King Co. Sound Insulation Bid Pkg. #7 and floor plan, subject to field inspection, [subject to field inspection]” have been filed for a number of properties in South Beacon Hill, running about $40,000 a pop. (Sounds like a construction company made the same mistake multiple times.)

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United Way and El Centro are again offering free raised bed gardens and gardening assistance for seniors.

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KOMO’s Travis Mayfield reports on the US Senate approving funds for Seattle Youth Violence Prevention and El Centro’s executive director Estelle Ortega being named to newly elected King County Executive Dow Constantine’s transition team.

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Metro has announced their new winter “snow plan”West Seattle Blog


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Beacon Bits: Vote Now edition

November 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

No more in-person voting at places like El Centro -- now you need to mail your ballot in. Photo by Wendi in 2008.

No more in-person voting at places like El Centro -- now you need to mail your ballot in. Photo by Wendi in 2008.

It’s election day! If you haven’t voted yet, you can vote today by getting your ballot in the mail before today’s pickup, or dropping it off by 8:00 pm at one of the six Neighborhood Service Centers (Ballard, Central, Delridge, Lake City, Southeast, and University) that serve as drop-off locations for election ballots. Additionally, the NSCs will be hosting open houses for any and all residents to drop in, enjoy refreshments, receive giveaways, and learn more about the Department of Neighborhoods, City services, and opportunities for civic engagement. In our neck of the woods, the place to be is the Southeast Neighborhood Service Center, 3815 South Othello Street #105, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm. The Center is just a couple of blocks west of Othello Station, past the Safeway.

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In the Slog, Charles Mudede has some uncomplimentary things to say about the Beacon Hill Library and its public art, but the commenters vehemently disagree.

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Speaking of public art on the Hill, the Times has a feature about artist Dan Corson, who created the “space forms” in the Beacon Hill light rail station. (Thanks for the tip, Joel!)

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Beacon Bits: Inspected, rock’n hypnotist, Spring

November 1st, 2009 at 12:31 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

Restaurant inspections: African American Academy (as Public Health still calls it ): 0 points; Inay’s: 25 points, a single red violation; La Bendicion: 25 points, a single red violation and a handful of blue violations; and La Cabana: 10 points, a single red violation. Red violations are corrected before inspectors leave the establishment. A score over 45 points requires a re-inspection within 14 days.

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Eric Spivack sent us this photo of supporters of Approve Referendum 71 waving signs down at MLK and Rainier on the 24th. Thanks Eric!

Eric Spivack sent us this photo of supporters of Approve Referendum 71 waving signs down at MLK and Rainier on the 24th. Thanks Eric!

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ROCKiT space has kids workshops every Sunday, including a kids’ dance class at noon, sing-along at 1pm, and various art workshops in the afternoons. Starting tomorrow night, they are also hosting a series of well-being workshops facilitated by certified hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner Bridget McKenna. Further details at http://rockitspace.ning.com/events. Thanks Marti!

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OneAmerica has posted videos on YouTube from the candidates forum hosted earlier in October with CAIR at the NewHolly Gathering Hall. Thanks Theresa!

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A “Street Smart Self-Defense Seminar” is taking place at the South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Avenue South, Sunday from 1:30 to 5pm. Kids from 5 and up, teens, and adults of all activity levels are welcome. Drinks and snacks are provided. A Spanish interpreter will be present. A $50 donation is suggested, but pay what you can — no one will be turned away for lack of payment. For more information contact Sherry McGregor at (206) 653-6020. Sorry for the short notice. Thanks Betty Jean!

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As we head into fall, a painting from local artist Rachel Maxi gives us something to look forward to... five or six months from now.

As we head into fall, a painting from local artist Rachel Maxi gives us something to look forward to... five or six months from now.


Beacon Bits: health inspections, parking spaces, and bridge rehab

October 20th, 2009 at 7:11 am | 1 Comment | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

The Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge: going to rehab. Not the Amy Winehouse kind. Photo by Wendi.

The Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge: going to rehab. Not the Amy Winehouse kind. Photo by Wendi.

Two local establishments have recently been visited by the Health Department’s intrepid inspectors. The Beacon Hill 76 station at 2415 Beacon Avenue South scored 0 (yes, zero) violation points. Congratulations! The Beacon Pub at 3057 Beacon Avenue South scored 45 violation points on October 14, all related to problems keeping things cold enough. (Perhaps these are problems with the new hot dog cart.) To give a little perspective on this point total, 45 or more red critical violation points require a re-inspection within 14 days, 90 or more red critical violation points require that the establishment be closed, and 120 or more total (red and blue) points also require that the establishment be closed. The 45 points that the Beacon Pub received were mixed red and blue points, so they were in no danger of being closed. Still, we hope the temperature issues are now fixed. We like having another food option in the neighborhood.

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Wondering what happened to the disabled parking spaces near Jefferson Park Golf Course on Beacon Avenue South? Apparently they were wrongly placed in the public right-of-way, so they’ve been removed. The city is installing new parking for the disabled in back of the course clubhouse. — Seattle Times

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If you tried to drive west through Sodo yesterday, you might have noticed that westbound South Spokane Street is now closed between Fourth and First Avenues South. This is part of the South Spokane Street Viaduct widening project. The detour route will send you north on Fourth Avenue to South Lander Street, then west to First Avenue, then back south to Spokane Street — West Seattle Blog

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And speaking of construction projects, the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge is going into rehab. Bridge rehab involves repairs and improvements to extend the bridge’s service life and reduce the frequency of required repairs and maintenance. The rehab work begins later this year.

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j_dong on Twitter posted a gorgeous picture of Beacon Hill autumn foliage. Thanks!


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Beacon Bits: Planning, protesting, and playing

October 15th, 2009 at 5:26 am | 10 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

One potential future for North Beacon Hill (looking north on Beacon Avenue, near McClellan. El Centro is in the upper right of this image).

One potential future for North Beacon Hill (looking north on Beacon Avenue, near McClellan. El Centro is in the upper right of this image).

Recently there were two open houses to display the most recent planning goals and strategies for the North Beacon Hill, North Rainier, and Othello neighborhood plan updates. Over 160 people attended these open houses to view and comment on some of the potential strategies for our Southeast Seattle neighborhoods. If you could not attend, the city still needs to hear from you! You can view the materials that were presented at the open house here, then submit your comments online here. The deadline for this comment period is October 30, 2009.

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Neighbors living near South Stevens Street and 12th Avenue South have been asking why the large power lines on their street can’t be moved underground. Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, an electrical system upgrade is about to do just that. — Capitol Hill Seattle

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Our neighbors in the Central District share our pain when it comes to airplane noise. One CD resident, Patty Fong, has started an Under the Flight Path! group on Facebook to “advocate for environmental justice in Seattle’s affected neighborhoods (Central District, Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, White Center, Burien and others under the flight path disproportionately) and for speedy advancements in reduction of airplane noise.” — Central District News

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The Rainier Valley Cooperative Preschool is hosting a Fall Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 24 from 12 noon – 4:00 pm at Beacon Hill Lutheran Church, 1720 South Forest Street (between 17th and 18th). Along with the sale there will be a Fall Festival for all ages. The 1700 block of South Forest will be closed for the party, which will include games, crafts, a bake sale, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, and, at 1:00 pm, live music by Brian Vogan.

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Youth in Focus, a non-profit organization that empowers urban teens through photography, is holding their annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, October 24, from 12 noon – 5:00 pm at the AMF Imperial Lanes, 2101 22nd Avenue South. The goal of the bowl-a-thon is to raise $15,000 to help Youth in Focus provide free photography classes and mentoring to underserved teens in the Seattle community. Teams of five bowlers will bowl in two shifts, noon – 2:00 pm, or 2:30 – 4:30 pm. This year’s theme is “Come as your own Superhero!”, so dress accordingly! All are invited. To sign up or get more information, please email Jessica at jessicag@youthinfocus.org.

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El Quetzal on Beacon Avenue has applied for a beer/wine liquor license.


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Beacon Bits: Fight library cuts, walk to school, do yoga

October 7th, 2009 at 4:54 am | 7 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits, Crime by Jason

The other day we mentioned the potential reduction of hours at the Beacon Hill library. The reduction in hours would have the library closing entirely on Fridays and Sundays, and closing early on other days. The Friends of the Seattle Public Library blog has a post that clearly explains what you can do to help fight these changes, including attending public hearings (starting tonight), and contacting city councilmembers. Some Friends of the Library were at the Beacon Hill Library on Sunday handing out information about the closures and talking to patrons.

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October is International Walk to School Month, and local non-profit organization Feet First is observing the event by forming “walking school buses” at Muir Elementary School on “Walking Wednesdays.” Families, students and teachers will meet at designated locations and walk together to school. Walking groups leave at 8:40 a.m. from Safeway’s parking lot (behind Silver Fork), 33rd Avenue and Bayview (north of McClellan), Hunter Boulevard and South Hanford, and the Mt. Baker light rail station.

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We hear that Yoga On Beacon, at 3013 Beacon Ave South, is two years old as of October 1st. Happy birthday!

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People came to last weeks County Council Town Hall Meeting to protest recent bus route changes. Photo by Wendi.

People came to last week's County Council Town Hall Meeting to protest recent bus route changes. Photo by Wendi.

The King County Council Town Hall YouTube channel has posted video from last week’s public transit town hall meeting at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club — unfortunately, the video’s just a one-minute collage with music and not very much context, and doesn’t give more than a hint of what the event was really like, or of the anger expressed by many Southeast Seattle residents who spoke that evening about the way recent bus route changes have affected their lives. Update: Al Sanders and Frank Abe from the Council pointed us to the full video of the meeting now available on their website as of this morning. Thanks guys!

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Seattle Public Schools have posted the proposed new Student Assignment Plan. In the plan, students attending Beacon Hill International School would continue to Mercer Middle School, which would probably become an international School itself. Cleveland High School would become a math and science option school, open to students from the entire district — Seattle Times

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The city has released its updated snow plan, mapping which streets will be plowed in the event of snowfall. If you want to express your opinions on the plan, a neighborhood meeting to discuss it will be on October 20, 7:00 pm, at Jefferson Community Center. — Beacon Hill KOMO, West Seattle Blog


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Beacon Bits: library cuts, transit, and Girl Scouts

September 30th, 2009 at 5:40 am | 1 Comment | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

Will we see a sign like this more often at the Beacon Hill library? Photo by Jasoon.

Will we see a sign like this more often at the Beacon Hill library? Photo by Jasoon.

Travis at KOMO reports that the Beacon Hill library branch could see a fairly drastic reduction of hours under the mayor’s 2010 budget proposal, including closing entirely on Fridays and Sundays. The proposal would also include another week-long closure like the one this summer. If you have concerns about this, now is the time to contact your city council representatives.

Also via KOMO, a story about Jay Park, who grew up attending a Beacon Hill church, then gained fame in a Korean boy band, then resigned from his band to return to Seattle, where his fans have been sending supportive gifts and letters — even spending money to hire an airplane to tow a sign to let him know how they feel. Unfortunately, the KOMO blog story seems to have offended fans of the band, who have left 171 comments so far expressing their anger. (Update: and over 1000 more comments on the same article spread among the KOMO sites it appeared on, like the Edmonds KOMO site. Yikes!)

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The Girl Scouts of Western Washington have two information nights coming up in Southeast Seattle for girls and adults interested in learning more about Girl Scouts. The meetings are Monday, October 5, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm at the Beacon Hill library, and Tuesday, October 6, 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Columbia City library. Potential members and volunteers are welcome. No registration is required; if you have questions, contact JoinUs@girlscoutsww.org or call 800-767-6845.

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Martin H. Duke has an editorial in Seattle Transit Blog discussing tonight’s County Council Town Hall meeting at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club and responses to residents’ concerns about Southeast Seattle transit cuts.

He writes,

“There are sins on all sides in Metro debates, but let’s not conflate the addition of a transfer, especially when one route runs every 8 minutes, with a total loss of service.”


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Beacon Bits, briefly: volunteer armies, bagpipes back, and board membership

September 26th, 2009 at 11:46 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits, Clean and Green, Crime, Education, Lost and Found, Volunteering by Jason

Adding to the fleet of SPU students in the neighborhood volunteering today is an army of 400 Seattle U. freshmen working in the Cheasty Greenspace with EarthCorps.

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This missing bagpipes have been found! Somebody tossed them in a trash bin, but they were found before it was emptied.

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Denise Louie Education Center is looking for a board member.


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Beacon Bits: Squeaky wheels on the Information Superhighway

September 25th, 2009 at 4:15 am | 2 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

The squeaks, screeches, squeals, and thumps Sound Transit’s light rail trains make as they round the bend and enter the Beacon Hill tunnel apparently exceed federal noise limit standards, so yesterday the agency’s Board of Directors approved emergency funding of up to $1 million to address the problem — Seattle P-I

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Beacon Hill’s bandwidth problem was mentioned by mayoral candidate Mike McGinn at a recent town hall meeting. Glenn Fleishman delves into McGinn’s Internet platform plank in an interview at Publicola.

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Craig Thompson is wrangling a number of SPU “CityQuest” community service volunteers (as well as willing neighbors!) this Saturday the 26th, living out SPU’s mission of “engaging the culture and changing world.” For details about the projects spanning the hill from Lewis and Jose Rizal Parks to El Centro to the Cheasty Greenspace and how you can help out, read Craig’s posting at Beacon Lights.

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Our neighbor Sheba wrote to the mailing list:

Giddens School, where I work and my daughter attends school, is offering child CPR and First Aid training and certification for parents and caregivers this Saturday (9/26), 9 am – 1 pm. The class fee is $35 per person and there are still a few spots open. Giddens is located at 20th South and S. Lane Street in Judkins Park. Contact me directly at my work phone or address if interested: 324-4847 ext. 37 or sburney-jones@giddensschool.org.


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Beacon Bits: Meet up, pipe up, clean up

September 24th, 2009 at 5:33 am | 3 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

Do you have something to say about light rails effect on local transit? The County Council's Town Hall meeting next week is the place to be. Photo by Joel Lee in the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool on Flickr.

Do you have something to say about light rail's effect on local transit? The County Council's Town Hall meeting next week is the place to be. Photo by Joel Lee in the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool on Flickr.

The next Town Hall Meeting of the Metropolitan King County Council will be here in Southeast Seattle, and will focus on the impact light rail will have on the regional transit system, and the fiscal challenges facing Metro Transit.

The meeting will be next Wednesday, September 30, at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club, 4520 Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. The site is only one block north of Columbia City Station. The public is invited to meet with Councilmembers at an informal reception starting at 6:00 p.m. The Town Hall will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Further info is on kingcounty.gov.

(Thanks to Warren Yee for the info!)

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A set of bagpipes have gone missing on Beacon Hill, taken from a curb. Have you seen them? There is a $400 reward for their safe return.

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The Green City Partnerships blog has a story about Andrea Ostrovsky and Mary DeJong, who have worked hard to improve the Cheasty Greenspace over the last couple of years, including hosting community work parties in Cheasty on the first Saturday of every month. In Ostrovsky and DeJong’s vision, the Greenspace is “a potential link between Beacon Hill’s Lockmore neighborhood and Columbia City,” among other things.

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Maria on the mailing list writes,

“Earlier tonight (09/23/09) I found a emaciated grey cat on 20th and Lander. She is very friendly, obviously not feral, no collar, grey with white paws and white diamond-shaped marking on neck and gold eyes. She was extremely thin and hungry. I gave her some food and took her to the Seattle Animal Shelter where they checked her for a microchip (she didn’t have one). They are holding her for four days as a stray before she’s put up for adoption. Her case number is 13021. Does anyone know whose cat this may be? If you do, please call the SAS at 206-386-4294. I would have kept her at my house but my cats would have really freaked out.”


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Beacon Bits: Street food, dangerous planting strips, and the Swinery… again

September 22nd, 2009 at 6:41 am | 4 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

This guy is darned happy with his food from Marination Mobile. Photo by Daryn Nakhuda.

This guy is darned happy with his food from Marination Mobile. Photo by Daryn Nakhuda.

Lots of Bits today, so here goes…

David Gackenbach reminded us of something we haven’t mentioned on the blog, but have via Twitter: Marination Mobile brings their truck o’ deliciousness to North Beacon Hill (near Amazon and Jose Rizal Park) most every Thursday around lunchtime. Check their web schedule, or follow them (curb_cuisine) on Twitter.

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Keyunda Wilson at Van Asselt Elementary writes to invite everyone to a Community Play Day at the new Van Asselt site (the former African-American Academy, 8311 Beacon Avenue South) on Thursday, September 24 from 3:30-5:30 pm. The event will feature active playground games, face painting, and environmental education. Everyone is invited to participate.

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Among King County’s new liquor license applications, we notice this one:

Notification Date: 9/18/2009
Business Name: JAVA LOVE CAFE’
Business Location: 2414 BEACON AVE S, SEATTLE, WA 98144-5035
Applicant(s): LATIN BROTHERS INCORPORATED; RODRIGUEZ, OSCAR; CESTRO,
GUADALUPE; PRICHARD, TIMOTHY; RODRIGUEZ, JOSE LUIS
Liquor License Type: SPIRITS/BR/WN REST LOUNGE +
Application Type: ADDED/CHANGE OF CLASS/IN LIEU
License Number: 085750

More »


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Beacon Bits: Candidate visit, free trees, Jungle tour, and poetry

September 17th, 2009 at 7:14 pm | 1 Comment | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

You could grow these on your own tree, free from EarthCorps and the Mayors Office of Sustainability and the Environment. Photo by Erlomo.

You could grow these on your own tree, free from EarthCorps and the Mayor's Office of Sustainability and the Environment. Photo by Erlomo.

Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn, who seems to be attempting to court Southeast Seattle voters lately, is hosting a “town hall” meeting at the Jefferson Park community center at 8pm on Saturday, September 19th. He’ll also be at the Columbia City library earlier the same day, at 10:30am. (There probably won’t be much yelling at these town halls.)

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More free trees! EarthCorps and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment are looking to provide trees to residents to plant on private property or the planting/parking strips along the street in neighborhoods with low tree canopy coverage. There are several trees to choose from, including cherry trees. Check the EarthCorps site for more info and the application form.

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Craig Thompson takes KOMO’s Travis Mayfield for a walk in the Jungle. Video, too. And more at Travis’s personal blog.

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Garage sale Sunday near 28th and FerdinandCraigslist
You can post your own garage sale announcements in our Forum.

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The Chrysanthemum Literary Society’s inaugural poetry reading is this Saturday, the 19th, from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Beacon Hill library.

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Don’t forget the other events coming up — like the Lucile Street block party this Saturday starting at noon! Check out the event calendar for more.


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Beacon Bits: Dancing, cycling, volunteering

September 15th, 2009 at 6:59 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

9730_249249265463_201662010463_8456550_3375460_nAmerica’s Best Dance Crew started with nine dance groups at the beginning of the competition. On Sunday night, local heroes Massive Monkees made it to the top three. See them “Tearin’ Up My Heart” here. This week was extra-special for at least one of the group — Samnith Ly, otherwise known as Lil’ Lazy, married Lianna Kalyanei on 9/9/09 at 9:09 pm. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

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Neighbors Willie Weir and Kat Marriner are on a bicycle adventure… to Portland. Willie writes in his blog Yellow Tent Adventures, “what if rather than having a city as a starting point, the city WAS the adventure?… We have visited Portland before. But how will our experience differ while pedaling around the city on a couple of fully-loaded touring bikes?” Willie and Kat won’t be sleeping in a hotel, but instead, they are bringing their camping supplies and planning to camp in the city — somewhere. How are they getting the bikes to Portland? By train, of course.

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Anthony B. Robinson writes about the experience of volunteering at a Beacon Hill food bankCrosscut


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Beacon Bits: Partial justice, 4-year-olds, and the Gov

September 12th, 2009 at 12:25 am | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Jason

One of Dawit Alemu’s attackers has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attack near Beacon Hill playfield on June 18th. — Seattle P-I via Katie on the mailing list

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Denise Louie Education Center’s Steps Ahead program is looking to enroll 4-year-olds through the City of Seattle voucher program. Tuition, before voucher, is $850 per month and includes breakfast, lunch, and snack in addition to the Creative Curriculum. DLEC has Family Support Staff fluent in Spanish, Laotian, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. For details, contact Frances Lin at 206.725.9740 x102 or flin@deniselouie.org. — Craigslist

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Jordan Van Voast of CommuniChi, Beacon Hill’s community acupuncture clinic, has an account of his Gregoire encounter today when she was visiting El Centro.


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Beacon bits: jazz, magic, and a police picnic

September 7th, 2009 at 7:04 pm | No Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

The Denise Louie Education Center on Beacon Avenue South is holding a Jazz Night fundraiser this Saturday, September 12, 6:00 pm, at Showbox SoDo (1700 First Avenue South). The event will feature a silent auction, a live auction, dinner, and dancing.

You can purchase tickets online for $75/person, but there are other ways you can contribute if you can’t attend the show. Volunteers are needed on the day of the event between 10:30am-11pm, and items are needed to be donated for the silent/live auctions. The last day to donate is Wednesday, September 9. Please contact Frances Lin, Community Outreach/Enrollment Manager, at (206) 725-9740 x102 if you can volunteer.

The Denise Louie Education Center is a Head Start center that serves over 200 at-risk families and children (ranging from 3-5 years old). The Jazz Night fundraising event allows them to provide additional services that the government does not fund, such as Play and Learn Groups (serving 0-5 years old), school supplies, and field trips.

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Magic Madness is coming to the Jefferson Community Center on September 18 at 6:30 pm! Magician Aaron Wheeler will be there to perform tricks, stunts, and mayhem in a fun family event. The show is open to all ages, for $3 pre-registered or $5 at the door.

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The South Precinct Picnic is this Saturday, September 12, from 1:00-4:00 pm. All South Precinct community members are invited to enjoy dancing, music, food, magic, and more. You’ll have a chance to tour the precinct station, meet your local police officers, and learn about specialty units such as SWAT, mounted, and K-9. The picnic is at the South Precinct, 3001 South Myrtle.


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Beacon Bits: Planes quiet down, neighbors speak up

September 1st, 2009 at 3:41 am | 2 Comments | Posted in Beacon Bits by Wendi

Joel Lees happy dog recently posed in front of the Beacon Hill Fire Station. Photo by Joel in the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool on Flickr.

Joel Lee's happy dog recently posed in front of the Beacon Hill Fire Station. Photo by Joel in the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool on Flickr.

Could there eventually be less airplane noise in Beacon Hill and other Seattle neighborhoods? According to the Seattle Times, a new GPS-based air traffic control system could move some planes over Elliott Bay instead of the path over Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Beacon Hill, and allow jets to glide in, making less noise. The new system is currently being tested by Alaska Airlines, and the article suggests that it might be used during the busy daytime period “potentially within five years.” (Thanks to the Central District News for bringing this to our attention.)

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The Seattle City Council is bringing a town-hall meeting to Southeast Seattle, from 6:30 – 8:30pm on Tuesday, September 22. The public are invited to attend this event, where Councilmembers will ask for feedback on light rail, crime and city services while also taking your questions. Questions at the event may be written or asked live on the microphone, or submitted in advance to counciltownhall@seattle.gov.

The meeting will be at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club located at 4520 Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, just a couple of blocks north of the Columbia City Link light rail station. For information or questions, call 206-684-8805. Accommodations for a disability or translation services can be made in advance by calling Nancy Roberts at 206-684-8146.

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After an August break, the North Beacon Hill Council will be meeting again this month. The meeting date is Thursday, September 10, at Beacon Lutheran Church, across the street from the library at 1720 South Forest Street.

Here’s the agenda:

  • 7:00 Welcome
  • 7:05  Lyle Bicknell, Neighborhood Planning Update followed by Q & A
  • 7:35  Brian Dougherty, Seattle Department of Transportation – 15th Ave. Parking
  • 7:50  Goodbye to Eric Sano, Seattle Police Department
  • 8:00  Community reports and concerns
    • Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator (3 minutes)
    • Neighborhood Planning Ad Hoc Committee (10 minutes – includes time to vote)
    • Community concerns (10 minutes)
    • Next month/announcements (7 minutes)
  • 8:30  Close

 


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