Beacon Hill Blog » Help Wanted

Publicola interview with Broadstripe GM David Irons

Jason — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:52:44 +0000

Continuing to dig into the issue of (the lack of decent) broadband in the Central District and Beacon Hill, Glenn Fleishman at Publicola sits down with former King County Executive candidate and new Broadstripe Pacific Northwest General Manager David Irons.

A few highlights:

Of the 23 nodes in Seattle, “We have made significant electronic improvement to resolve the issues in 18 of them,” with the rest proving more problematic and requiring new cable runs or other changes. Irons said the remaining five nodes will be improved between February and March 2010.

…

Irons explains, “Just on a routine basis, we had our technicians going out and arriving at someone’s home, okay, you have a problem there,” then checking it off and leaving. Now, a technician “is not allowed to leave the person’s home until the problem is resolved, or they have permission from their supervisor.”

…

Customer service hours have been extended from 7 pm Pacific on weekdays to 9 pm Pacific, and in January that will go to 10 pm Pacific. Weekend customer support has been replaced with full-on tech support, with staff that can handle both billing and technical questions. Engineers are now on call for major problems 24 hours a day, as well.

These sound like good changes, and I do have to say that our internet connection at home has been better than it was in September, but it’s still nothing to be bragging about.

Irons also states that Broadstripe has 8 open positions they’re looking to fill.

Broadstripe is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2010.

There’s lots more interesting information in the full article at Publicola.

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Rizal Park Music Fest urgently seeks assistance

Jason — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:05:48 +0000

Tess is organizing the Rizal Park Music Fest to create awareness in the community about the talents of Filipino Artists and Musicians. This will also benefit the Rizal Park Preservation Society and the Zenaida Guerzon Foundation. Photo from Tess's Facebook page

Tess Guerzon, coordinator of the previously mentioned Rizal Music Fest coming up on August 8th, is looking to add some last-minute sponsors, vendors, or artists wanting to display their work during the festival, and she’s also hoping to find volunteers and someone who might be able to assist with providing and/or setting up tent(s) and a stage.

The current roster of sponsors includes Coldwell Banker-Danforth, OMA Construction, and Goldie’s Restaurant.

Time is running short — if you know anyone who might be interested in sponsoring the show, displaying their wares, selling items, volunteering, or providing tent and stage assistance, please contact Tess via email or phone at 206-819-8377.

© Jason Simpson for Beacon Hill Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment |
Post tags: festival, music, rizal park, stage, tent, vendor, volunteer

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Beacon Bits: Lunch planning

Jason — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:37:27 +0000

Hungry Girl visits Lunch Counter
ColorsNW on the Presidential vegetable garden and the Beacon Ave P-Patch
House values down 12 percent in Beacon Hill notes the Ballard News Tribune
Eat The State is looking for south-end distributors
And don’t forget about the Transit-Oriented Development meeting Saturday starting at 9

© Jason Simpson for Beacon Hill Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment |
Post tags: garden, housing, lunch counter, p-patch, planning

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Are you able to help a neighbor?

Wendi — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:06:10 +0000

Kerrie Carbary of Volunteer Chore Services writes:

“An extremely independent 87 year old who lives near the VA Hospital on Beacon Hill is very proud of how energetic and capable she is, but during the cold last month she fell, and now she realized that she could use a bit of help to be able to stay in her own home. Her house is charming and lovely, and she loves to keep it nice. Would you like to visit with her for an hour or two a month, and help her with the chores she can no longer do, such as bending over, lifting, and light housework? During the summer, she has a beautiful garden, so some gardening may be in the future for the right volunteer as well. She has no family in the area to help her out, and until now has been the helper for her friends, who are mostly older than her. She is full of wonderful stories, and would love a visit from you!”

To volunteer, go here or email Kerrie at kerriec@ccsww.org. Volunteers are required to complete a registration packet, provide three personal references, pass a background check, and attend an orientation.

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A wish for wheels that work: can you help?

Wendi — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:24:30 +0000

The snow is melting, but it’s not gone yet, and things could still get worse before it’s gone. While we’re still in this mess, the folks at the Rainier Valley Post are helping organize a network of Southeast Seattle neighbors with reliable snow-friendly vehicles to help people with critical travel needs. They have volunteers in several areas, but still need people with chains or 4WD in Brighton/Othello, Rainier Beach, and Beacon Hill. We hope they won’t be needed for long, but wet snow is very slick, so lots of people are still stuck at home. If you can help, please do.

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Help clean up Beacon Avenue today at noon

Wendi — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:51:51 +0000

Today at noon, “Team Java Love,” one of two local Beacon Avenue litter-pickup teams, will be picking up litter on Beacon between Java Love and the Beacon Hill Library. Anyone who would like to pitch in is welcome. Please bring gardening or latex gloves if you have them. We are told that when you check in at Java Love, they may have yellow litter bags and highly fashionable safety vests to use. The job could take 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on how many helpers are there.

Thanks to Allison for posting this on the mailing list!

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Volunteer opportunity: make a difference in a local elder’s life

Wendi — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:37:56 +0000

Kerrie Carbary sent us this local volunteer opportunity. (Anyone have other volunteer opportunities on Beacon Hill? Let us know.)

“Would you like to spend a few hours a month with a friendly, energetic, and charming 86 year old woman? You can make a difference in her life by helping her with light housekeeping and easy yardwork. She loves her garden and keeps a beautiful home, but finds herself unable to bend easily to mop, vacuum, and mow the lawn. She’s very independent and still feels comfortable driving, going out to lunch, and meeting with friends, but has decided she could use a bit of extra help in her home. She’d really prefer someone who can visit her during the weekday. She’d prefer a female volunteer and lives in zip code 98108 (Beacon Hill).”

This volunteer opportunity is through Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services. Volunteers must complete a registration packet, provide three personal references, pass a background check, and attend an orientation.

For more information, please call Kerrie Carbary, the West Region Volunteer Coordinator, at 206-328-6858; the Volunteer Chore Services main intake line at 206-328-5787; or email kerriec@ccsww.org.

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Big siblings and elder/disabled care volunteers wanted

Jason — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:54:07 +0000

We’ve been made aware of two local volunteer opportunities this week:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for volunteer one-on-one mentors for children between 7 to 16 years old, says Veronica Abraham, Community Recruitment Coordinator, via the Beacon Hill mailing list.

Volunteer Chore Services for South Beacon Hill and South Seattle, part of Catholic Community Services, is looking for people to help out with elders and adults living with disabilities who are unable or ineligible for state/paid chore services. For more information, please call Kerrie Carbary, the West Region Volunteer Coordinator, at 206-328-6858; the Volunteer Chore Services main intake line at 206-328-5787; or email kerriec@ccsww.org.

© Jason Simpson for Beacon Hill Blog, 2008. | Permalink | No comment |
Post tags: big brothers big sisters, volunteer, volunteer chore services

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Help build a new playground at New Holly

Wendi — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:02:49 +0000

One hundred volunteers are needed this coming Friday, October 24, to help build a new playground in the Central Park area of New Holly, based on designs created by neighborhood children. The plan is to build the entire park in 6 hours; work begins at 9:00 am, and at 3:00 pm, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the playground. Lunches will be provided for the volunteers. Interested? Meet at the south end of Central Park in Phase III (at the corner of Holden Street and Rockery Drive) at 9:00 am on Friday, or email Joy Bryngelson for more information.

More information is at the Rainier Valley Post — thanks!

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Transit transformation of neighborhood plan?

Wendi — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:55:42 +0000

The City is beginning a process of updating most of the 38 neighborhood plans throughout Seattle, but because of the light rail line opening next summer, Beacon Hill, Mount Baker, and Othello have been fast-tracked for station area planning and neighborhood plan updates. And they do mean fast. The stations open in July, and there is some indication that the city wants rezoning of the area done simultaneously with the plan updates. Things may be changing quickly, folks.

On Saturday, October 25 at 12:00 noon, the Southeast District Council and the Greater Duwamish District Council are hosting a community event to discuss the new neighborhood planning process and “how to create vibrant, successful neighborhoods at these stations.” The event is at the New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Avenue South, and food, beverages, and child care will be provided.

Also in the neighborhood planning arena, the city’s Neighborhood Plan Advisory Committee (NPAC) needs four at-large members, “with a good mix of neighborhood knowledge, new passion, and a commitment to healthy communities,” to sit on the committee. The deadline is today, October 17, at 5:00 pm. If you’re interested in helping guide the forthcoming neighborhood planning process as an NPAC member, fill out this PDF and get it in ASAP.

Thanks to the SDC and GDDC for the postcard about the event, and the Rainier Valley Post for getting the news out about the NPAC applications.

© Wendi Dunlap for Beacon Hill Blog, 2008. | Permalink | One comment |
Post tags: neighborhood plans, new holly, politics, stations, volunteer, zoning

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Volunteer readers needed

Wendi — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:26:09 +0000

United Way of King County is currently recruiting Volunteer Readers to read aloud to children (ages 3-5) one or two at a time (not group reading), at preschools, Head Start classrooms, and child care centers, and they particularly need volunteers in the Central District, Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley.

Here’s what they say about it:

What’s involved:
Read to kids, one or two at a time, for one hour each week.

Commit to at least six months with the program, preferably longer.

Be friendly, energetic, and responsible.

Why read to kids:
It’s fun!

It’s the best way to prepare kids for school.

It gives kids a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

Opportunities:
Visit www.unitedwayofkingcounty.org/readers for more information and to sign up to be a part of our team. All opportunities are between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday only.
Sites and shift times are listed on the website above.

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