Possible development on Beacon Avenue, depicted in the Neighborhood Plan Update. Are you tired of looking at gravel lots surrounded by wire fencing next to the Beacon Hill Light Rail station? Â Do you dream of potential businesses that would be perfect for our community? Â The comments on Joel’s post “Beacon Hill’s Post Alley” indicate community support for development around the light rail station. Â For any development to occur, the North Beacon Hill Neighborhood Plan Update must be approved.
That plan is being challenged. Â A community member has filed a petition with the City of Seattle Hearing Examiner (see the earlier news post in the BHB) calling the update process into question and requesting that the DNS (Determination of Nonsignificance) be vacated. Concerns listed in the petition include construction noise, increased traffic, lack of specific guarantees regarding service improvements, and overall disregard for community opinion and the existing neighborhood plan.
Simply put, it’s a request for DPD to be required to throw away over a year’s worth of community input and other work on this project—essentially starting the entire process over.
“Increased density is a worthy goal… We need housing, employment, and services for our future neighbors.”
Neighborhood, City and transit groups have worked hard to update the North Beacon Hill Neighborhood Plan in a way that respects the core values of our community and includes the reality of introducing mass transit into the neighborhood. Â Two critical considerations for an urban neighborhood served by mass transit include increased residential density accompanied by increased employment, service, and other business development.
Increased density is a worthy goal for our neighborhood: people should live and work near transit. We need housing, employment, and services for our future neighbors. Â This doesn’t have to/shouldn’t mean increased vehicle traffic—the entire point is that new residents will be using light rail.
If the North Beacon Hill Urban Village is ever to develop, we must move forward as a community. Â Change can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to improve.
Get involved.  Learn more about this issue and take action to make Beacon Hill the place you want it to be.  Please attend the North Beacon Hill Council meeting on Thursday, February 4 at 7:00 pm.  Meetings are held at the Beacon Hill Public Library. The full agenda is here and also here.
People’s Place is a new homeless advocacy organization combining community support with professional advocacy to help chronically homeless people become stable. We are hosting a fundraiser and information session at El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Avenue South, tonight from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
Auction items include arts and crafts created by our members, as well as packages that include a chance to spend time with local political figures—have lunch with Mike McGinn, go for a bike ride with Mike O’Brien, or enjoy drinks with Pete Holmes. All proceeds go directly to shelter costs for People’s Place members. Contributions are tax deductible.
Light snacks, good company, great cause—what better way to spend a Friday night on Beacon Hill?
The suggested donation is $35 at the door. For more information, see the People’s Place Facebook page or email peoplesplace@yahoo.com. If you can’t make it to the event, please consider making a donation using the PayPal link. Thanks!
(Melissa, who contributes the “Walking with Tica” column to the BHB, is a co-founder of People’s Place.)
Perhaps the biggest change proposed in this draft is increasing the height limit of buildings surrounding the light rail station. There’s also a proposal to update El Centro de la Raza’s zoning. It’s currently single family residential—no, I’m not joking. In case you’re unfamiliar with El Centro, there are dozens of programs operating out of that building, serving thousands of people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Childcare, senior meals, homeless services, a food bank, immigrant advocacy, and more. There are also businesses operating within El Centro: CommuniChi acupuncture, Excelsior Travel Agency, and others. For a complete list and to learn how to volunteer or make a donation to El Centro, visit their website. El Centro hopes to develop affordable housing and expand their program facilities. This is an incredible opportunity for our entire neighborhood.
One potential future for North Beacon Hill (looking north on Beacon Avenue, near McClellan). Many people have concerns and fears about changes to our neighborhood, especially around the idea of increasing density. What’s important to you? What makes Beacon Hill a place you want to live? What would you change? I’m concerned about preserving the character of our neighborhood and encouraging good design. I want to keep what we have (Red Apple, Baja Bistro, La Cabaña, etc.) and add businesses that serve our community (a bookstore, a consignment store). I want to preserve the charm of our single family blocks and add dense, affordable housing near the station. I want our sidewalks and crosswalks accessible to the seniors who’ve lived here for decades and to those of us pushing strollers through the neighborhood.
My priorities around neighborhood planning were honed when we were looking for a house in 2003. I attended Seattle Midwifery School at El Centro (they’ve now moved) and loved Beacon Hill.  It only took one walking tour to convince my partner that this was a great place to live. Our goal is to live in this house for 20-30 years. We planned where we were going to buy a house based on what was important to us:
walkability/run-ability (safety, accessibility, comfort, quality of sidewalks and trails)
transit access and easy access by car to other places
diversity
established community
parks and green spaces
We’re expecting another human member of the family in May. I’m excited to see baby/kid-friendly businesses opening in our neighborhood. We always assumed we’d send our kid to the neighborhood school, and were content with Beacon Elementary and Kimball as choices. The Seattle School District is shifting to location-based school assignment, which will (hopefully) mean that our south-end schools start achieving parity with the rest of the city.
Change can be challenging. For some perspective on all the changes in Beacon Hill over the last 100 years or so, check out Seattle’s Beacon Hill by Frederica Merrell and Mira Latoszek. (Merrell is an occasional contributor to the BHB. — ed.) The book is chock-full of photos from the Jackson Regrade—when neighborhood planning meant washing huge portions of the city down into the Sound! Now is our chance to shape our community for decades to come. Get informed; get involved. Attend meetings (the North Beacon Hill Council meets on the first Thursday of every month at the library) and talk to your neighbors.
(Editor’s note: If you’d like your own copy of Seattle’s Beacon Hill, you can order one from Amazon through the link on the lower right of this page.) An artist's depiction of a future event at the Lander Festival Street, from the North Beacon Hill neighborhood plan update.
Neighbors walking their dogs can be helpful as a crime watch force in the neighborhood. Photo by melanie b.Like most of you, I’ve been following the posts and news stories about break-ins, robberies, car prowls, and other crimes in and around our neighborhood. One of our close neighbors had their car window smashed in a few weeks ago—and none of us heard a thing. I try to balance between wariness and paranoia, common sense and complacency. Mostly, I try to focus on what I can do to keep our community as safe as possible.
Many people travel during December, leaving their homes for a few days or weeks. I encourage you to consider a safety plan for your home while making your travel plans.  Here are a couple of sites with basic safety/crime prevention tips, and here’s my list:
Inform your immediate neighbors that you’re going to be gone and ask them to keep an eye on your car and the exterior of your house.
Leave keys (house and car) with at least one trusted neighbor, along with local emergency contacts and a way to reach you while you’re gone.
For short trips, ask someone to check your mail—just so that there’s foot traffic up and down your porch and to prevent possible mail/identity theft.
Ask someone to brush leaves/snow off your car or to keep an eye on your garage.
For longer trips, either put a hold on mail and paper delivery or ask someone to pick up daily (same with the promotional materials people leave on doorknobs, yellow page books, and other deliveries).
Keep things normal: consider putting a couple of lamps on a timer; if you have holiday lights or use exterior lights, put them on a timer, too; ask someone to bring trash/recycle/yard waste cans to the curb and back.
If you’re planning to be away for more than a few days, consider asking someone to come in and check on your house. There are some very responsible teenagers in our neighborhood.
Find someone you trust to stay in your house. Check references and have your neighbors check in on this person.
If you have pets, you’ll need to take them into consideration as well; these tips are for property safety only. Special considerations for pets: let your vet know you’re traveling and leave a check or credit card number with them in case of emergency; make sure your pet-sitter has access to travel carriers and driving directions to the emergency clinic; keep copies of pet license numbers and/or microchip numbers current.
Our entire community is safer when we get to know each other. Offer to help your neighbors, and ask for help. Bring in the trash cans for an elderly neighbor, deliver cookies to a newcomer, and talk to people when you see them outside.  If you see something suspicious or have concerns, share them—not just with the neighborhood mailing list or the blog, but with the household involved.
Those of us with dogs spend a lot more time on the sidewalk than most people—especially now that it’s dark earlier and the weather isn’t welcoming for an after-dinner stroll. Tica and I are both very aware of the patterns of our neighborhood: what kind of cars people drive, when folks are home, new neighbors… and of course, who has dogs and what time they’re out. We know most of the regulars out walking at various times. I feel like I could reliably identify someone who was out of place, and I’m confident I would notice someone suspicious loading your TV into a van.
Tica and I are a great team to enlist for help watching your house. Your block probably has a few dogs out every night for a constitutional—do you know them? They’re potential allies. The missing piece is knowing how to reach you if there is a problem. Does your next door neighbor have a cell number for you while you’re on vacation?
Wishing everyone a safe, warm winter—at home or away!
Photo by Chris Streeter.I have never been so grateful to have a mellow(ish) older dog. Tica was patient this week as we were laid out with a nasty bug. Was it a flu? A cold? Does it matter? We were sick, but at least we were prepared–and now we’re better. Whew!
King County has excellent guidelines (in several languages) for how to prepare for flu. If you’re at risk, get vaccinated. Wash your hands frequently, and make sure those around you (especially kids) wash their hands. Wipe down doorknobs, telephones, keyboards, and other surfaces. If you’re sick, STAY HOME. Ask someone else to run to the grocery store, pick up the kids, or take care of other errands.
I’ll add some practical tips (also useful for anyone expecting a baby or otherwise planning to be housebound for a while). Even with limited space and/or a limited budget, it’s possible to plan ahead. Be creative.
Stock up on household supplies. Buy extra toilet paper, tissue, cleaning supplies, etc while on sale. Have at least a week’s reserve stored, if possible.
Remember pets–have litter, food, and other essentials available in case you can’t make it to the store for a few days.
Keep a supply of medications on hand: pain/fever reducers, over-the-counter remedies, and prescription medications. Even if you don’t usually take OTC medications, buy a bottle of cold/flu reliever and some fever reducer. You can always give it away at the end of the season.
Print out a contact list of doctors/health care providers, including phone numbers, addresses, and emergency/after hours contact info. Make copies of insurance info & include in this folder.
Print out a list of friends/family/neighbors who can help. Be a helpful friend/neighbor–offer your contact information to those on your block in case of emergency.
Keep a collection of light reading, movies, games, etc. hidden in a cupboard. You’ll appreciate this when you’re well enough to be bored, but too sick to go out.
Fill a box with soup, crackers, gatorade, and other easy-to-eat non-perishable items.
I didn’t need to call anyone to walk Tica or run to Red Apple for juice. Shane and I were sick at different times, so we were able to take care of each other. It was a relief to know who I could call if I needed help.  I’m grateful to have connections with neighbors who care.
There will be fundraising, fun, festivities and food at the Rally in the Valley on Monday night. The event is a fundraiser for the Mike McGinn for Mayor campaign. Undecided? Enjoy a great meal and meet “We Like Mike” supporters–and Mike himself–to learn more about Mike’s positions on the issues.
Rally in the Valley
6:00 – 8:00 pm Monday, October 19
Jumbo Restaurant, 4208 Rainier Avenue South, near Rainier and Genesee.
There is no door fee, but donations are gratefully accepted. Please bring a can of food for the Rainier Valley Food Bank. All are welcome to watch the art performances from many diverse groups and join in the festivities.
"Vote" sign at El Centro, November 2008. Photo by Wendi.Leaves are starting to turn and clouds are staying around for days instead of hours. There’s that certain crispness in the air and football on TV (Go, Pack, Go!). It must be election season.
Tica and I have been walking the blocks of North Beacon Hill since 2003. We’ve watched election signs go up for Kerry, Bush, Rossi, Gregoire, Obama, McCain, Rossi, Gregoire… plus the monorail, levies, school board elections, parks, and more. This year, there just isn’t the same showing–for any issue or any candidate. Where are the yard signs? Is it too early in the season? Are candidates not producing them in the same way? It can’t be that Beacon Hill has become less interested in politics. The 36th District is active, engaged, smart and passionate. Both Democrats and Republicans in Beacon Hill vote.
Candidates are falling over themselves to attend and organize forums, townhalls, and walks in Beacon Hill and other parts of Southeast Seattle. The City is working on a Neighborhood Plan to decide how high buildings in the Beacon Hill “urban village” will be. There are changes proposed to improve the safety of cyclists on our streets. I know our neighbors have opinions–get involved! Attend meetings if you can, read up on the issues if you can’t, and talk to your neighbors.
Most importantly, register to vote and confirm that your ballot is on track to be mailed to your current address. All voting is by mail in Seattle. Go to My Vote to be sure that you’re going to get your ballot. Do you have a new roommate or neighbor? Do you know someone who just turned 18? Monday October 5th (today!) is the last day to register or change your address online. If you have never registered in Washington, you have until October 26th to register in person.
We have several important choices on the ballot this November. There are two new candidates for Mayor: Mike McGinn and Joe Mallahan. We’re choosing between several City Council candidates AND there’s a race for City Attorney and King County Executive. We are also voting on two statewide initiatives that could have lasting impact: I-1033 (a Tim Eyman initative) and R-71, a referendum to roll back approve or reject domestic partnership benefits.
Learn about the candidates and their values. Understand the implications of the initiatives. Vote. That’s even more important than yard signs.
(Editor’s note — corrected R-71 reference. If you vote “approve” on R-71, that is to approve the new state domestic partnership law. If you vote “reject,” your vote would be to repeal the law.)
Mike McGinn speaks at Beacon Hill town hall meeting, September 19. Photo by melissajonas.Mike McGinn had a whirlwind day in Southeast Seattle. He started off in Columbia City, opened his new office near Othello Station, more in the ID, then to Jefferson Park Community Center at 8:00 pm. He was up-front about being tired, but made it clear he was happy to be in Beacon Hill.
About 25 of our neighbors came to share their ideas with Mike. He was engaging, patient, and smart. He listened and responded thoughtfully. He does not seem like a politician. Will people vote for someone who doesn’t seem like a politician? I hope they do. Mike McGinn is working very hard to establish personal connections–he’s not slick or packaged. He’s honest about not knowing the answer to everything. Attending a McGinn event is a refreshing change from closely-managed rallies with talking points.Â
Campaign volunteer (and Southeast Seattle community activist) Thao Tran introduced him by name, then Mike shared his personal history. He’s originally from Long Island, New York. His parents were both involved in public education: his dad, a school administrator, his mom a pre-K and Kindergarten teacher. Mike and his wife have three kids in Seattle public schools. Public education is very important to McGinn, on a personal level. He’s committed to improving the quality of Seattle public schools.
He moved to Seattle in 1989, practiced law for a while, then founded Great City–a nonprofit striving to “enhance our quality of life, help preserve our region’s natural beauty, and make Seattle a model of economic and environmental sustainability.” Mike explained that Great City was–in part–responsible for putting the Pro Parks Levy on the ballot and helping pass it.  Mike got the community organizing bug. He threw his name in for mayor, believing that the race needed to be about the future. He won the primary, and is running against Joe Mallahan to be our next Mayor. It’s a surprise to everyone–including Mike. He says, “Everyone expected this race to be between Nickels and someone. It’s not–it’s between two new guys. That gives a chance to talk about the future. We still need to learn from the past–but let’s talk about the future.”
McGinn stayed after his presentation to review the North Beacon Hill neighborhood plan in progress. Photo by melissajonas.The Beacon Hill town hall topics included bringing jobs to the Hill, making it easier for small businesses (including home businesses) to survive and grow, making our parks safer and improving internet connectivity on the Hill and around the city. McGinn addressed concerns from two neighbors about a gun ban in parks violating civil liberties by saying that he supports the proposed ban because he believes it will make our parks safer.
McGinn’s campaign is run entirely by volunteers. He rides his bike, takes mass transit, and relies on rides from supporters to get to events.  He’s gotten the most press from his vocal opposition to a deep-bore tunnel replacing the Alaskan Way viaduct. Neighbors asked Mike about the tunnel and how he would do things differently. He laid out a clear, succinct argument. Google “Mike McGinn tunnel” to hear it.
I was more interested in how he felt/what he thinks about all the other issues facing Seattle. We’ve heard a lot about how McGinn opposes the tunnel. It turns out McGinn supports a lot of other things: improving public schools, supporting neighborhoods, making Seattle safer, saving money, creating a broadband public utility, and lots of other things. His campaign established a website so you can share your thoughts: www.ideasforseattle.org.
Are you registered to vote at your current address? Have you researched the candidates and the issues on the ballot? Be a good neighbor; be an informed, engaged voter. Attend meetings, read materials, talk to your neighbors. We are choosing a new mayor for the first time in eight years. This decision will shape our neighborhood for years–if not decades–to come.
Even on dark winter mornings, dogs like Tica need their exercise. Photo by melissajonas. All of my posts so far have been about me and my experiences as a pedestrian and neighbor in Beacon Hill. I’d like to share some of my observations about sharing my life with an athletic, social animal.
Tica turned 10 in June. She’s still active and continues to demand (and deserve) regular exercise, but at a much more gentle pace. We go out for 20-30 minutes in the morning and again in the evening. From age 1-5, Tica had to be engaged for at least a couple of hours every day.  She is a smart, social dog and it was fun to find ways to keep her entertained. It was also a lot of work. I trained Tica using a “clicker” and positive training methods. This approach worked miracles with my high-energy dog. Using positive methods strengthened our relationship and helped Tica become more trusting of strangers. Clicker Solutions is one of many online resources for this method.
My mantra in those years was “a tired dog is a good dog.” When Tica was younger, she got bored easily. When she was bored, she’d find ways to get my attention–barking, whining, digging, chewing… behaviors I couldn’t ignore. I realized that keeping her busy on my terms was a lot easier than trying to deal with her behavior after she got bored.
If you have a spring puppy, you’ve probably both been basking in the incredible weather. It’s easy (and fun!) to take long walks and extended trips to the dog park while the sun is shining. It’s a lot more effort when the sun goes down at 5:45 and the puddles are past your ankles. Make the effort to keep your dog active–it pays off!
Wondering how you’re going to keep your dog active & happy this winter?
Wear a watch. Make a commitment to take the dog out every day. Most experts recommend 60-90 minutes, especially for high energy and/or younger dogs. You know your dog and your lifestyle. Set a goal and stick to it.
Dress appropriately. You’re more likely to take the dog out if you’re comfortable. Wear weather appropriate shoes, invest in a good raincoat, and get several hats. Keep visibility in mind–you want drivers to see you on dark November afternoons. I don’t wear headphones because I want to be aware of my surroundings.
Keep your dog safe and comfortable. Some breeds are prone to ear infections, especially in wet climates. Watch for discharge coming out of the ears and/or extra scratching. Some breeds (Greyhounds, pit bulls, etc) need a sweater or rain coat to stay dry and warm on long walks. Talk to your vet if you have concerns.
Trade doggy play dates and/or get together with a friend. Take turns bringing the dogs to the park, or simply getting them together to run around in the backyard. You’re less likely to put off that walk when you’ve made a commitment to another human.
Play indoor gameswith your pooch. Teach new tricks, hide dog treats behind the couch or in the bathtub, or practice a quiet “down, stay” while you’re making dinner. Mental stimulation and social interaction keep dogs busy & happy. Your dog still needs to go outside–but make the most of indoor time, too.
Take classes. Seattle has too many dog resources to list. Agility, obedience, herding, conformation…there’s bound to be something you and your dog will both enjoy. Many classes are in a covered or indoor area.
Hire a professional. If you’re too stretched for time to meet your dog’s needs, consider paying for a dog walker or taking your pup to a doggy daycare. A responsible teenage neighbor might just be the perfect answer for getting your dog out of the house. Be sure to interview critically–this person is going to be alone with your pet and may have access to your home. Check references.
In every season, remember to be a responsible neighbor: carry bags and clean up after your dog, keep her leashed, and be respectful of others. Many people are afraid of dogs–including some dog owners.  Tica is medium sized by my standards (45lbs), but to some people she looks intimidating. I don’t force the issue. Observe dog and human body language and keep your dog under control.
It takes a village…
A new baby, illness, injury, increased or changed work schedule… sometimes there are times when the responsibilities of a pet are too much. If you need help, ask. If your neighbor needs help, offer.  A dog walking service is a great baby shower gift! There are also lots of pet charities who need your support. Donate food, litter, and other supplies to help others care for their pets. Encourage your animal-loving student to consider volunteering at a shelter when assigned community service projects.
View of the African-American Museum from Beacon Bluff. Photo by melissajonas. I’m a foul-weather gym member. The Meredith Matthews YMCA (just off 23rd in the Central District) has a great facility and low rates—and they allow me to join and cancel at will with no fees. This allows me to workout outside when I want, and inside when the weather shifts. I prefer to spend as much time outside as possible in the summer, and to integrate my workouts into the rest of my life as much as possible.
If you’re looking for a great workout in our neighborhood, check out the stairs running east-west on the streets between 15th and 17th. I created a Google map to give an idea of stair locations and the route we take. Be creative and explore the area—I usually incorporate a few hills in addition to the stairs.
Depending on how much time I have (and how Tica’s feeling) we’ll walk or jog the stairs while heading north, then slow down and head south towards home along a less steep route.
