Monthly Archives: July 2009

Lost and Found

Do you know this dog?

This sweet dog was found on Beacon Hill. Is he yours?
This sweet dog was found on Beacon Hill. Is he yours?
While walking home Saturday afternoon, we met a neighbor walking this very sweet and friendly dog on 16th Avenue South. She said she found the dog recently and is looking for her owner. If this is your dog, please call 206-769-6425.

Local Events, Photos, Recreation

Rooftop hip hop from above Spoons

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Dope Emporiums Rooftop Saturday Series kicks off here on Beacon Hill
Dope Emporium's Rooftop Saturday Series kicks off here on Beacon Hill

Caught wind of a free hip hop show on the roof of Spoons and the Golden Daisy at 15th & Beacon just before it stated. From 3 to 6 this afternoon, Dope Emporium and Black Stax hosted the show. The live acts started a bit late with Steelo and several more, but the DJ provided a funky mix that made for a good time outside (where, at least in the shade, it was cooler than hanging around in the house). There were some minor audio glitches for those watching from street-level, but nothing that seriously detracted from the show. Lucky for you, there’s another show set for the same location coming up on July 25th.

Some more photos after the jump.
Continue reading Rooftop hip hop from above Spoons →

Photos

This is the last weekend before the light rail opens

Here are a few photos of the area around the Beacon Hill light rail station as the clock ticks down to Opening Day.

The art outside the station has begun to be installed. The work on the north side of the building is by artist Carl Smool.
The art outside the station has begun to be installed. The work on the north side of the building is by artist Carl Smool.
This flag marks the spot where the last part of the Big Blue Fence was until recently. In the background is El Centro de la Raza.
This flag marks the spot where the last part of the Big Blue Fence was until recently. In the background is El Centro de la Raza.
Until recently, this area was covered with machinery and construction supplies. Now, its a smoothly-graded field of gravel.
Until recently, this area was covered with machinery and construction supplies. Now, it's a smoothly-graded field of gravel.
In anticipation of increased demand for parking near the station, this formerly-free parking lot has sprouted a brand-new Diamond Parking sign.
In anticipation of increased demand for parking near the station, this formerly-free parking lot at Beacon and Forest has sprouted a brand-new Diamond Parking sign.
A close-up of Carl Smools cut-metal artwork on the north side of the station.
A close-up of Carl Smool's cut-metal artwork on the north side of the station.

It is getting close to being finished, but it still looks like they will have to work 24X7 to get it done by next Saturday.

Photos by Wendi.

Clean and Green, Crime, Health and Safety, Local Business

Mailing list minutes: Fruit trees, vacant space, and disappearing mail

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Some recent activity on the neighborhood mailing list:

  • Jon Gould is looking for a tenant for the 2200 square-foot (1100 upstairs, 1100 downstairs) space at 3315 Beacon Avenue South formerly occupied by Buggy (opening today in Madrona, by-the-way, with an opening party on the 11th). He’s asking for $1300/month in rent. Email Jon for further details.
  • Jon also notes that The Stranger‘s Christopher Frizzelle is looking to speak with people who have experienced Sound Transit-related sinkholes.
  • Several neighbors have discussed outdoing mail thefts, including the pilfering of bill payment checks, in the northerly areas near 16th Ave S recently. Shea Bajaj (of Viridian Design, an architect with an interest in building Detached Accessory Dwelling Units) passes on some information he received from his postal carrier: If you’ve suspect or have experienced mail theft, contact your local postal inspector. Additionally, through the same contact, you can lodge a request that recently removed blue postal drop boxes be replaced and/or petition for the establishment of a neighborhood postal collection unit like newer townhouse complexes have.
  • Hazel points us to a new website cataloging fruit trees around town: City Fruit. For more information, see the project’s home site. Relatedly, Theresa points us toward the Community Fruit Tree Harvest project from Solid Ground, a program looking for donations of tree fruit. They’re also considering fruit tree care classes and volunteer arborist services for donators. For more information, visit the website or contact Gail Savina.

If you’re not already on the mailing list, join here. It’s a great way to get recommendations from your neighbors for drywallers, plumbers, electricians, etc. or announce your garage sale or whatnot.

Thanks Jon, Theresa, Hazel, Shea, and everybody else on the lists!

Urban Planning

North Beacon Hill Council meeting Thursday

The North Beacon Hill Council‘s monthly meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, July 9, at 7:00 pm in the Beacon Hill Library community room, 2821 Beacon Avenue South.

All are welcome, and attendance at one meeting makes you a voting member of the council. The meetings are an important source of information and discussion about planning, events, and community issues in North Beacon Hill.

Here’s the agenda this month:

  • 7:00 Welcomes, agenda and introductions
  • 7:10  Brian Dougherty, Seattle Department of Transportation:  Proposed parking revision on 15th Avenue South, followed by Q&A
  • 7:30  Lyle Bicknell, Department of Planning and Development:  Results of May N. Beacon Hill Town Hall Meeting, Comprehensive Plan Amendments,  followed by Q&A
  • 7:50  Ad hoc committee report followed by Q&A – vote may be required
  • 8:00  South Precinct SPD or Shelly Bates
  • 8:10  Community Concerns, Upcoming Events
           

    • July 18, opening of Light Rail Tunnel Festivities
    • No Picnic and Pinata Party in the Park due to above (but we’ll be back with a great celebration next year!)
    • Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee update
    • Pedestrian Crossing at library
    • Lewis Park grant from King County – vote needed
    • Other?
  • 8:30  Closure
Getting Around, Health and Safety

Rollover accident at Beacon & Spokane

Photo by Joel Lee
Photo by Joel Lee
Earlier this evening, around 8pm, there was a radio report of a blocking injury accident in the 3600 block of Beacon Ave S. We couldn’t make it out there to check it out ourselves, but Joel Lee did and sends in this report and photo:

As far as I can tell everyone is fine, but there was just a roll-over accident on the corner of Beacon and Spokane. They are still cleaning it up and traffic is moving through the area except for part of Spokane which is still shut down.

Thanks for the report, Joel!

Beacon Bits

Beacon Bits: Garter snakes, restaurant inspections, and a Night Out against Crime

Snakes like this one are enjoying the view from Jose Rizal Park these days. Photo by Garrett and Kitty Wilkin.
Snakes like this one are enjoying the view from Jose Rizal Park these days. Photo by Garrett and Kitty Wilkin.
  • The new garter snake herpetarium at Jose Rizal Park was featured in the Seattle Times on Sunday. In the comments for the post, cheezybreezy joked, “Odds are good I will find a couple of ex-boyfriends residing here.”
  • The other day we saw the results of three local restaurant/food service inspections from June 30, and noticed that every single one had zero violations: El Centro de la Raza, the Beacon Avenue Shell Food Mart (this was a big improvement over last time), and… Culinary Communion? I thought they were gone.
  • Tuesday, August 4, is the annual Night Out against Crime. Local groups typically schedule block parties for that evening, and everyone gets out to meet the neighbors. Want to set up a block party? Find out more and register here.
Lost and Found

Lost dogs, found cat, and a loud rooster (Updated)

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Is this your kitty?
Is this your kitty?
We hope all of your pets are at home, happy and healthy after last night’s fireworks. Unfortunately, we’ve gotten a lot of reports of pets going walkabout lately, even before the July 4th noise.

This message was posted yesterday on the Georgetown neighborhood mailing list by seaofcarnage@yahoo.com:

Friday night July 3, a very well mannered and nice yellow dog appeared at
the 9 lb Hammer. He is definitely not a stray. No collar or tags were found,
I have taken him into my care until his owner is found. If you know of
anyone that lost a dog last night, he is at my home on Warsaw. I will
contact the shelter on Sunday to see if he has a chip and to report him,
however I will not be handing over custody of him to the shelter. Please let
me know if you know where this dog belongs, I believe he came down from
Beacon Hill.

Henry, a neighbor at 19th Avenue South and South Lander, found an adorable little black kitty in his yard on July 4. The cat has a pink collar and bell, but no tags. Is she yours? Contact Henry at hlouie1979@msn.com.

Have you seen Bruno?
Have you seen Bruno?
On Friday evening, a four-year-old brindle lab/pit mix dog, Bruno, was lost from the area of 19th Avenue South and South College Street. He’s 85-90 pounds, and has a black collar with ID tags. If you find him, please call 253-218-9635 or 253-332-6944.

One other possible pet was reported to be making its own noise — a rooster. Roosters are, of course, illegal in the city of Seattle (you can have three hens, though!). Rumor has it that at least one rooster is running wild in North Beacon, however, so the one that’s been cock-a-doodle-dooing this week near the area of 15th Avenue South and South College Street may be the that one.

Update, July 6: We are told that the rooster near 15th and College really does belong to someone (see the comments below) and has been living there for some time now. Also, we were apparently misinformed. Roosters are not illegal in Seattle. But neighbors can make noise complaints to Animal Control at 206-386-7387.

Life on the Hill

Walking with Tica: Summertime and the living is noisy

Tica yawning in the hot sun. Photo by Melissa.
Tica yawning in the hot sun. Photo by Melissa.
We aren’t walking much this weekend. Tica is zonked from the heat and freaked by the fireworks. She wants to go out, but pulls strongly towards home as soon as she hears a crack, snapple, or pop. Often, she’ll be too afraid to even potty.  I have to be watchful and remember to let her in the backyard when it’s quiet.

If you have dogs (or cats), remember that they need extra consideration over the next few weeks. Many animals react very strongly to fireworks, thunder, and other loud noises.  My cats don’t seem to mind fireworks as much as Tica, but all of us suffer when the Blue Angels are practicing. The cats hide under the bed and are out of sorts.

Here are some ideas that work well for our furry roommates in July:

  • Go out early in the morning, when it’s cool and quiet
  • Keep dogs on leash
  • Make sure all animals have identification with current information–even reliable pets can panic and escape
  • If you’re traveling, update ID tags with cell phone numbers and NEVER leave pets in the car/truck
  • Provide shelter/shade for outdoor animals
  • Check all gates and fences–are they secure?  If your dog can jump the fence, consider tying out during peak noise
  • Make sure your pets have constant access to fresh water
  • Run fans and/or radios for background noise during Blue Angels practices or performances, or if someone in the neighborhood is setting off leftover fireworks from the Fourth
  • Consider locking pet doors and keeping pets inside if they seem fearful
  • Be patient and compassionate

Speaking of kitties–I’ve posted several snapshots of cats we notice on our walks to the Beacon Hill Blog flickr group. If you have a BeHi feline, post your pictures to the group.