Beacon Bits

Beacon Bits: Local volunteering, local food, and local cake!

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Mmmmm... cake. Photo by Cristina DeAraujo.
Mmmmm... cake. Photo by Cristina DeAraujo.
  • The Rainier Valley Post tells us that Rainier Avenue institution Borracchini’s has added a 21st century shine to an 86-year-old business — now you can order cakes online!
  • Sara suggests that we mention that there are tons of local volunteer opportunities for the National Day of Service on January 19; find some here.
  • Sustainable South Seattle (S3) will meet at the Columbia City Library this Wednesday, January 14, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, where Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin will discuss the Local Food Action Initiative.
Getting Around

Metro service change proposals updated

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Photo by Bryan Gosline.
Photo by Bryan Gosline.
On January 1 we posted that Metro wants to hear from you about the revised service change proposals for Southeast Seattle. The problem was, at that time the proposals hadn’t yet been published. Well, now they have, and you can find them on Metro’s website.

Here are some of the notable changes:

  • Route 36 will extend all routes to the Othello Link station using new trolley wire that will be installed on South Myrtle Street and South Othello Street; south of Othello, 36 will be replaced by 106.
  • Route 60 will run every 20 minutes during peak periods, and extend weekend trips from Georgetown to White Center starting in 2010.
  • New Route 50 will run from Othello Link Station to West Seattle via the Columbia City Link Station and SODO!
  • Route 38 will run from Mount Baker to the Beacon Hill Link Station, where people will now transfer to light rail to get to SODO.

There are other changes as well, and you can complete an online questionnaire to give Metro your feedback, or visit one of the open houses we listed on January 1.

Two additional open houses have been scheduled as well:

  • Wednesday, February 4, 1:30-3:30 pm, Holly Park Community Church, 4308 South Othello Street (downstairs entrance on east side of building)
  • Wednesday, February 4, 6:30-8:30 pm, Holly Park Community Church, 4308 South Othello Street (downstairs entrance on east side of building)

Thanks to Warren Yee for posting this to the mailing list!

Getting Around, Weather

Tell the mayor what you really think

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A lot of Seattleites have some, um, strong opinions about the way things went in this city during our recent “snow event.” If you’re one of them, Mayor Nickels wants to talk to you! The mayor is inviting city residents to talk about their winter storm experiences with him, and with department heads and city staff, as part of a citywide performance review of emergency snow operations.

Three meetings are planned, but none in Southeast Seattle; one’s in the Central District, though, so it’s not too far away:

At the meetings, we’re told you’ll be able to talk one-on-one with the mayor, and also meet with staff from transportation, utilities and other departments.

Education

Beacon Hill International School wins $20,000 award

Beacon Hill International School has been awarded the 2008 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom “MVP Award.” Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle was also honored. Each of the schools will receive $20,000 to be used for a particular program. In Beacon Hill’s case, it is a community literacy program, “tailored to the unique multicultural needs of the school’s students and families.” Funds will be used to buy language materials, and events such as Family Literacy Nights are planned to help empower parents to take part in their children’s development of literacy and their academic growth and success.

Life on the Hill

Bungalow renovation blog

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Follow along at beaconhillbungalow.blogspot.com as new Beacon Hill neighbors Laura and “Labor Foreman” (does that make her Laura Foreman?) utterly disassemble and then put back together a 1920 bungalow to their own design. They’ve been doing mostly demolition since getting started just over a month ago, and are now gearing up for rebuilding. Everything from plumbing to insulation to counter tops is just beginning to come together now.

It saddens me a bit to see the house with so much original craftsmanship be completely gutted. Here’s hoping their plans are not only perfect for them, but are also well-suited to the bones and character of the house.

Welcome, Laura and “Labor”! (I think his name is actually Justin.)

Local Events, Urban Planning

NBHC meeting tonight

While it was on our events calendar we did forget to point out the agenda for tonight’s North Beacon Hill Community Council meeting until just now.

North Beacon Hill Community Council Meeting Agenda
When: Thursday, January 8th, 7:00 – 8:30
Where: Beacon Hill Library Community Room

  • 7:00 Welcomes, announcements
  • 7:15 Presentation by the Department of Transportation on the proposed parking plan for the Beacon Hill and the McClellan/Mt. Baker light rail stations.

    Community input is being asked for on:

    • restricted parking around stations
    • parking permits for neighborhood residents

    This is an important meeting to attend. SDOT will make a decision on the parking plan in February. Please join us in providing SDOT with our community’s needs prior to the decision making process.

  • 7:35 Open to questions and answers
  • 8:00 Seattle Police Department
  • 8:10 Community Concerns
  • 8:30 Close

Sorry for the late notice, folks!

Thanks to Amie Patao for posting it at north-beacon-hill.blogspot.com and Chris Bailey for sending it to the mailing list.

Site News

Keep an eye on the BHB forums

If you haven’t visited the Beacon Hill Blog’s forums, you might want to check them out! They are a good place to have ongoing discussions, or post about things you want to buy, sell, or barter.

Here’s what’s currently happening in the forums:

  • Knitters are organizing a stitch ‘n’ bitch
  • Steve has a queen size futon to sell
  • We have a 3 cup rice cooker and a tv to give away
  • Heidi is organizing a toddlers’ play group

…and more! Please check the forums out, and have fun!

Getting Around

Safety drill to close MLK Jr. Way today

This morning, from 9:00 am to noon, don’t be surprised to see a lot of police and emergency response crews at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and South Cloverdale Street. It’s a safety drill to help prepare for the opening of the Link light rail service this July. (We hear July 3 is the day. We can’t wait!)

During the test Martin Luther King, Jr. Way will be closed to through traffic from South Kenyon Street to South Henderson Street, though Metro Transit will be allowed through. Other traffic will be detoured to Renton Avenue South and Beacon Avenue South.

Need more information? Contact Bruce Gray, Sound Transit public information officer, at 206-398-5069.


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