All posts by Jason

Life on the Hill, Photos

Evolution of a new, improved Jefferson Park

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Willie Weir writes to the beaconhill list:

Hey neighbors,

I have periodically taken photos of the work on the reservoir in Jefferson Park. I’ve lived here long enough to remember the space surrounded by barbed wire. I know there are people on this list who still haven’t seen the view from this vantage point. On a clear day this winter, walk past the community and up toward the lawn bowling club. You won’t be disappointed!

Willie recommends that you choose the high-definition and full-screen options to view it in its full detail:

 

There are also a couple of photos of the area from a year or so ago in the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool on Flickr.

Thanks for the awesome photos and video, Willie!

Local Business

Rainier Grocery Outlet to close

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We stopped in at the Rainier Grocery Outlet this evening and saw that entire rows of shelving were gone, the freezers were half-full, and a lot less “stuff” was in the store. I asked the checker if they were closing or just remodeling. He said they’re closing November 26th.

We haven’t been able to get more details yet, but we’re wondering if the store is a casualty of the lengthy construction of the Mount Baker light rail station that has made access to the store more difficult for the last few years. The building and property are owned by the University of Washington, with their laundry facilities next door.

Some time between March 31st, 2007 and June 19th of this year, Steve Christman took over from Steve and Debbi Mullen, operators of the Madrona Grocery Outlet. The Mullens stated in 2007 that, while the store had taken a 20 to 30 percent hit in business due to light rail construction, they hoped to tough it out until the rail station opened, running the Rainier store at “zero profit” until then and “didn’t want the store to close.” Looks like that plan didn’t pan out.

If your bargain-hunting regularly brings you to Grocery Outlet, you might want to get down there soon.

Help Wanted

Big siblings and elder/disabled care volunteers wanted

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.

Beacon Bits

Beacon Bits: guns, loot, and beer

Life on the Hill, Local Events

Neighbors reaching out to teens

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Jennifer Jukanovich spoke last night at the North Beacon Hill Council meeting. She described something she and her husband Dano had been a part of over the past several years. As the frequent summertime congregation of teens around the C&C Valero station on Beacon Ave. began to become an issue with neighbors, they decided to do something: Thursday evening BBQs. All teens invited. Free burgers and hotdogs. Sometimes movies projected onto the fence around their home at 18th & Stevens. It was declared a safe corner– one where personal (or gang-related) altercations were not allowed, but where everyone was welcome. Including, recently, a uniformed police officer, Eric Sano. His presence was initially quite controversial, but he’s become inspirational to some teens who previously didn’t know what they wanted to do.

The Jukanoviches have provided a place for these kids where they’re wanted, where they’re included, a place where they can feel safe. However, Dano and Jennifer may be moving away very soon, for three years, to Rwanda. She came to the NBHC meeting to let other people know what can be done, and share one way they’ve done it. And to encourage the BBQs to continue next summer, possibly without them.

And she stressed one piece of advice for people concerned about the teens encountered in their neighborhood: “Learn their names.”

Similar sentiments on a larger youth-involvement scale were expressed by the second guest speaker, Mariana Quarnstrom, president of the Southeast Seattle Crime Prevention Council (and yes, Mrs. Dr. Quarnstrom!). She shared her stories with several teen and youth programs out there, and the difficulties many of them struggle with to stay in operation.

She offered similar advice: Don’t drop your head and race past as if they didn’t exist. Disarm them with a “hello.”

Both firmly agreed: Get involved with teens. Let them know that someone cares.

Update: Amie of North Beacon Hill just posted a notice for the March For Youth planning meeting to be held tonight at 7:00 pm in the Rainier Vista Neighborhood House Paul Allen Room (4410 29th Ave S).

Crime

Gunfire last night, no injuries reported

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Around 11:30 last night, numerous shots were fired in the 5400 block of 23rd Avenue South, just off Beacon Avenue South.

The SPD Blotter reports:

On November 2nd at 11:30 PM South Precinct officers responded to numerous calls that multiple shots were fired in the area of 5400 23rd S. Officers found over 20 shell casings in the roadway and 6+ bullets and fragments inside a nearby residence. No one inside could give a reason as to why their house was targeted. A car that matched the description of one used in an earlier shooting was parked outside the house. Officers located the owner, got a consent to search the car, and found a gun and drugs in the trunk.

The goings-on at the house fired upon have previously been an issue with nearby residents.

The Rainier Valley Post also has a report.

Thanks to Katrina on the mailing list for the alert.

Food and Drink, Local Business

Golden Daisy closed for remodeling

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Photo by Letting Go of Control
Photo by Letting Go of Control

You know, I’ve never been to the Golden Daisy Chinese restaurant, and were I to want to remedy that, it looks like I’d need to wait until the 8th: they’re closed through November 7th for remodeling.

Golden Daisy is located on Beacon Avenue near 15th Avenue South, next door to Spoon’s.

Since I’ve never been there, if anyone has a review or can recommend a particular dish that I must try, please say so in the comments.

BH in the News

Beacon Lights on the Rep. Tomiko Santos Kerfuffle

Two weeks ago, State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos arrived (late) to speak to the Beacon Alliance of Neighbors. Her visit, or rather her apparent lack of awareness expressed through her words, left a bit of a bitter taste in many neighbors’ mouths.

Craig Thompson’s latest Beacon Lights article at the P-I website has a full rundown of the representative’s numerous misses with the community, touching on her disconnects with Beacon Hill neighborhood organizations, race and reaching out, El Centro‘s community involvement, public safety, and parks and trails.

The Rainier Valley Post covered Tomiko Santos’s awkward visit earlier.

Food and Drink, Local Business

From beneath Culinary Communion comes: The Swinery

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Barbecue and meat lovers get ready!

Rebekah Denn notes in her Devouring sEATtle blog that Culinary Communion‘s Gabriel Claycamp is preparing to expand into a retail operation selling BBQ, chicken and veal stock, sandwiches, bacon, and a variety of cured meats. Permits have been submitted and preparations made for turning the basement of the building into “The Swinery.”

The article doesn’t mention if these products will be available for purchase directly from The Swinery’s home here on Beacon Hill, instead mentioning plans to take the savories across town one day a week for sale near the West Seattle Farmers Market. Let’s hope there will be something a little closer to satisfy a fine bacon or barbecue hankering.