Colette shares a suspicious situation her husband witnessed last night:
Around 7pm my husband was walking our dog on 22nd and McClellan and passed a gentleman walking with a backpack. Continuing his walk, my husband noticed two males walking at a fast pace. One of the individuals crossed the street and walked in the same direction as the gentleman and my husband noticed some sort of hand signal between the two of them. They then noticed my husband and stopped their pursuit. It may have been nothing, but it seemed as though it could have been a robbery situation… Now that it is getting darker earlier it’s a good idea to be aware of what’s around you, especially if you’re walking alone.
Stay alert! Report suspicious activity and keep your neighbors safe. Thanks Colette!
On 11/03/09, at approximately 4:45 p.m., a bicyclist was traveling [northbound] on Beacon Ave S. approaching S. College St. As the Bicyclist approached S. College St, a pedestrian going [westbound] across Beacon Ave S. stepped into the roadway.
The Bicyclist was unable to avoid the pedestrian and collided with him.
The pedestrian sustained a serious head injury and Seattle Fire Department Medic transported him to Harborview Medical Center (HMC).
During the investigation, HMC stated that the pedestrian’s medical condition improved to become non-life threatening.
An officer responded to the scene to screen the bicyclist for any signs of impairment due to drugs/alcohol. The officer determined that the bicyclist was not impaired.
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.
Update via KIRO7Seattle on Twitter: “Missing South Seattle boy has been found safe & sound with mom.” Whew! (We’ve removed the child’s photo since he has now been found.)
South Precinct patrol officers are currently looking for the 6 year old boy pictured above. His name is Denez Bernier. He usually wears a dark blue jacket and has a dark green GI Joe backpack. He did not show up at Dearborn Park Elementary School earlier today. School officials received a call from his mother just before noon inquiring as to his whereabouts but she has not called police to report him missing. It is unknown if he is in danger. A search is underway and a number of relatives have been contacted. We would like to speak to his mother since she originated the complaint. Her name is Judith Bernier, 25 years of age. We are also looking for his father, who apparently works in a tire shop in South Seattle. His name is Tulaga Ativalu. This is all of the information that we have at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police non-emergency number at 206 625-5011.
On 10-25-09 at 10:00 p.m., a black Honda, CBR1100 Motorcycle, driven by a 32-year-old male was traveling westbound on S. Myrtle St. approaching Beacon Ave S. at a very high rate of speed.
At the same time a black Chrysler Crossfire was stopped at the red traffic signal on S. Myrtle St at Beacon Ave S facing westbound. The Crossfire started to continue westbound after the green light changed for westbound traffic, when it was struck from the rear by the motorcycle. The Motorcycle driver was thrown from the bike and struck by another vehicle which was traveling East bound on S. Myrtle.
The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced the 32-year-old male dead at the scene.
The King County Medical Examiner responded and gathered evidence and recover the body.
Traffic collision Detectives responded and investigated the collision and processed the scene.
The NBHC meeting this Thursday brings a couple of guests with presentations in addition to regular business. Remember: if you live in the neighborhood and you’ve been to even one NBHC meeting before, you’ve got a vote.
North Beacon Hill Council Agenda
Thursday, October 1, 2009, 7:00 PM Beacon Hill Library Community Room
Please join us in making decisions that affect our community. All are welcome!
7:00 Introductions and hellos
7:10 Superintendent Jorge Carrasco, Seattle City Light; presentation on placement of sight-line obstructivepoles on West Beacon Hill in 12th Ave. neighborhood with Q&A afterward
7:25 Brian Dougherty, Seattle Department of Transportation; presentation on proposed parking changes for 15th Ave. S.; presentation with Q&A afterward
7:55 Community reports and council business:
Seattle Police Department
Neighborhood Planning Ad Hoc Committee (vote needed, quorum required); if motion is passed, formation of committee to draft a grant for ongoing neighborhood planning work
Other: Matthew Stubbs as NBHC representative to GDDC – vote required; announcements from Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator; other announcements and any concerns from the community
A volunteer at work on the Hanford Steps last year. Photo by Jason.The Hanford Stairs Weed Busters need you! Susan Fairo is seeking teams of two people (volunteering together or matched up individuals) who can put in 2-3 hours four times a year to help keep weeds from taking over the new native plants at the public staircase near 25th and Cheasty. Rookie Weed Buster team volunteers will receive instruction on what to remove and what to ignore, and use of tools, watering, plant disposal, etc. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Susan at susan.fairo@gmail.com or call 206-349-7285.
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Noticed an increase in airplane noise? Patty Fong is organizing neighbors in Beacon Hill and the Central District to address the issue with the FAA. See this comment on a previous Beacon Bits for more details, including contact information.
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Teens can earn service learning credit at the library. In addition to free SAT prep and online tutoring, the Seattle Public Library is also running a teen advisory board this school year. If you know teens wishing to earn service learning credit by writing book reviews, helping at teen programs, or writing for the SPL blog, contact Jennifer Bisson at Jennifer.Bisson@spl.org or call 206-615-1410.
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Catholic Community Services is looking for tutors. Their Youth Tutoring Program is an after-school educational enrichment program for at-risk students in first through twelfth grade. Volunteers offer academic support and also serve as positive role models to students, helping strengthen their sense of self-esteem and self-respect. Tutors help students with reading, homework (all subjects), math and language arts skills. Resources are available for those subjects you might not remember quite so well, and no specific background is necessary aside from a high school diploma. Tutoring Centers located nearby in NewHolly and Rainier Vista are open Monday-Thursday from 4:20-7:40pm, and tutoring would be for 1-3 hours per week on the same night every week. You can apply online at http://www.ccsww.org/ytp.
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Flash Volunteer offers many more volunteer opportunities. A non-profit startup run by Brad Wilke, a former Development Director at Denise Louie, aims to link people and neighborhood-focused volunteer opportunities. Check it out at www.flashvolunteer.org.
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A South Beacon Hill neighborhood watch is coming together. Mike Cheney, working with SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon’s encouragement, is trying to bring together South Beacon Hill neighbors to form a neighborhood watch group. Perhaps you read the recent Wall Street Journal article “Civilian Patrols Grow As Recession Puts Citizens on Guard” and it piqued your interest, or maybe you’d just like to make your block a safer place to live. If you’re interested, email Mike at redboneshadow@yahoo.com.
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.
Captain Dave Emerick, new commander of the SPD South Precinct. Photo courtesy SPD.A big shake up in the command-level of the Seattle Police Department was announced this morning. Of relevance to Beacon Hill and other areas in the South Precinct:
Captain Dave Emerick, a 25-year veteran of the police force, is leaving the Violent Crimes Section to become the new South Precinct commander. Captain Emerick will lead approximately 83 officers assigned to Patrol Operations, including a Community Police Team and a plain-clothes Anti-Crime Team. Captain Emerick has previously served in the Gang Unit, Narcotics Section, Homicide Unit and Harbor Patrol. This will be Captain Emerick’s first precinct command.
Captain Les Liggins, a 24-year veteran, is departing the South Precinct to assume command of the Narcotics Section, where he will oversee three squads of detectives and the Drug Court Liaison. Captain Liggins brings to the assignment experience leading the Metropolitan Section (SWAT, Mounted Patrol, and K9 Patrol), Fraud, Forgery and Financial Exploitation, Auto Theft, and Audit Accreditation and Policy.
