All posts by Wendi Dunlap

Editor of the Beacon Hill Blog.
City Services, News

Water service interruption near 20th and Hanford

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Seattle Public Utilities tells us:

Drinking water service will be shut off to about 100 residential customers in the vicinity of 20th Avenue South and South Hanford street while Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) investigates a water main leak in the area. SPU workers are identifying valves in an effort to isolate the leak and. Water will be off along 19th Avenue South and 20th Ave South, from South Hanford Street to South Spokane Street. There are expected to be no impacts to businesses or arterial traffic. It is not known at this time when the water will be restored to the area.
Customers with questions can call 206-386-1800.

Crime

Amor Spiritual Center vandalized with hate graffiti

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On Wednesday morning, October 21, Beacon Hill residents were shocked and disturbed to find the Amor Spiritual Center, 2528 Beacon Ave S., had been defaced overnight with a swastika and the words “Hate in many la language” (sic), most likely referring to the Center’s slogan “Love in many languages.”

When neighbor Callista Chen posted the above picture to the Facebook group Beacon Hill Social Club, neighbors rallied to denounce the graffiti and offer to help clean up. Later on Wednesday, second- and third-grade students at Beacon Hill International School sent artwork and messages of support to decorate the Amor building.

Though one or two people posted comments blaming “gentrifiers” for what happened, most neighbors in the Facebook group avoided the temptation to use this event to add divisiveness to the community. Gentrification certainly is an important topic, one that should be discussed, but it seems unlikely that affluent new residents go around tagging Beacon Avenue buildings in between shifts at Amazon.

The people at Amor have scheduled an Amor Love Circle Event for this Sunday, October 25, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. “Join us to create a Love Circle on Beacon Hill. It is time for us to transform all the hatred, bigotry, and racism with our love. We have tried countless other ways; let us now choose love.” All are welcome.

Arts, Local Events

Beacon Art Walkabout returns Saturday

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Neighbors checking out the art at a vendor's booth during June's Beacon Art Walkabout. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
Neighbors checking out the art at a vendor’s booth during June’s Beacon Art Walkabout. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
The Beacon Art Walkabout, a free neighborhood event, returns for one more time in 2015 this Saturday, September 12, from 1-9 p.m.

The schedule includes:

  • Mural dedication, 1-2 p.m. at Dragon Auto (Beacon and S. Forest, next to the Library)
  • Art market, world dance party, and food trucks, 1-7 p.m. at Stevens Place Park (Beacon and S. Stevens)
  • Art displayed in 30 venues around the neighborhood
  • Back Patio Party at El Quetzal, 5-9 p.m.

The event is free and open to all. See you there!

Arts, Local Events

Application deadline for 9/12 Beacon Art Walkabout is today

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Neighbors checking out the art at a vendor's booth during June's Beacon Art Walkabout. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
Neighbors checking out the art at a vendor’s booth during June’s Beacon Art Walkabout. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.

It’s not too late to apply to participate in the September 12 Beacon Art Walkabout as an artist, performer, or merchant. However, the deadline is today, August 1, so you need to get it done quickly.

Find more information and an application form here.

The Beacon Art Walkabout will feature artists in 30 businesses along Beacon Avenue, performing artists, public art projects, and an outdoor art market.

Site News

The Commons wants you!

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Here’s a reminder that the blog has a new section, called The Commons. The Commons is here to make it easy for community members to submit content to the blog. Reviews, news, features, interviews, news tips and more are welcome. (Photos, for now, have to get here by email.) See the sidebar for a list of Commons articles.

All you have to do is go to the “Write For The BHB” link in the top menu (or just click this) and write your content in there.

Once approved (it’s moderated, but just to keep out spammers), your content goes live on the Commons where it can be read and discussed by community members. Some Commons articles will be promoted to the main BHB page (and moved out of the Commons section). Recent Commons posts are listed in the right-hand column of all pages on the Beacon Hill Blog.

Try it out and see how you can easily contribute to your neighborhood blog in The Commons! If you’re thinking of posting a neighborhood event on Facebook or the mailing list, think about posting it here too.

(Your editor is out of town for a bit so blog content has slowed down until I get back — but I’m keeping up with all the Commons posts that come in, so feel free to submit posts!)

Food and Drink

Free summer meals, arts and fun this summer at El Centro de la Raza

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Click through to see the full PDF.
Click through to see the full PDF.
Ruth Harbaugh of Americorps VISTA and the End Summer Hunger Corps sent us the following announcement of interest to Beacon Hill families:

Parents, are you looking for more fun, healthy things to do with your kids this summer? Bring them over to El Centro de la Raza for free lunch and fun activities every weekday!

We welcome all kids/youth 18 and under to join us for lunch and fun crafts, games, sports and activities every Monday-Friday from 11:30-1 p.m. in the playground.

Did you know over the summer families spend an increased $1000 in food while kids are home from school? Save money and feed your kiddos healthy, nutritious lunches at our free lunch program. The program will run every week though 8/14.

No proof of income, address, or citizenship is ever required, all children/youth 18 years and under are always welcome!

The El Centro de la Raza Playground is located at 2524 16th Ave S. Activities and lunches will be offered every Monday-Friday from 11:30 to 1 p.m. If you have questions about the program, call 1-888-436-6392, text MEALS to 96859 or visit parenthelp123.org.

City Services, Education

Seattle Preschool Program providers announced; enrollment open

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King County Executive Dow Constantine and a Seattle delegation visited Boston and New Jersey to learn about their universal preschool models in 2014. Photo by Dan Nolte, courtesy of the KC Executive’s office.
On Monday, Mayor Murray announced the first 14 providers of the Seattle Preschool Program, including several in the Beacon Hill area serving the attendance areas of Dearborn Park, Maple, Beacon International and Kimball elementary schools.

Enrollment for the program is opening now. All 4-year-olds in the city (regardless of income level) are eligible to apply, as are 3-year-olds from households at 300% and below of the Federal poverty line.

For more information, see the SPP website.

Local Events, Recreation

Mah Jongg talk and games at Beacon Hill library 7/18

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Photo by Rebecca Siegel via Creative Commons/Flickr.
Local meetup group Mah Jongg Fever is sponsoring Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game, an author talk by Gregg Swain, co-author of the book Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game: A Collector’s Guide to Mah Jongg Tiles and Sets.

The event is Saturday, July 18, at 1:30 p.m. in the Beacon Hill library, 2821 Beacon Ave. S.
Bring books for signing and vintage mah jongg sets for Gregg to identify. After the talk, learn and play Mah Jongg — American, Chinese, etc.

The event is free and open to the public.

City Services, Neighborhood Pride

Shiny and new at Fire Station 13

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New vehicles at Fire Station 13. Photo courtesy of Lt. Kyle White.
New vehicles at Fire Station 13. Photo courtesy of Lt. Kyle White.

Lt. Kyle White of the Seattle Fire Department tells us that Fire Station 13, in the historic building on the corner of Beacon Ave. S. and S. Spokane St., took delivery of two new vehicles this month. They received a 2015 Pierce fire engine that went into service on June 11. It replaces a 2003 American LaFrance that has been relegated to reserve status and will be housed at a fire station in Wedgwood. Earlier in the month, the station also took possession of a 2015 Chevy Suburban that will operate as a battalion chief’s vehicle.

(Thanks, Lt. White!)

Site News

Check out the Commons

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You might have noticed a few days ago that a new button appeared in the top menu of the Beacon Hill Blog, titled “The Commons.” For a few days I’ve been testing out a new feature intended to let community members submit content to the blog. Reviews, news, features, interviews, news tips and more are welcome. (Photos, for now, have to get here another way. But stay tuned.)

All you have to do is go to the “Write For The BHB” link in the top menu (or just click this) and write your content in there.

Once approved (it’s moderated, but just to keep out spammers), your content goes live on the Commons where it can be read and discussed by community members. Some Commons articles will be promoted to the main BHB page. Recent Commons posts are listed in the right-hand column of all pages on the Beacon Hill Blog.

Try it out and see how you can easily contribute to your neighborhood blog in The Commons! If you’re thinking of posting a neighborhood event on Facebook or the mailing list, think about posting it here too.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy this new feature!