Arts, Volunteering and Giving

Beacon Hill contributes to “Spiral of Hope” in Lake Union Park

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Part of Beacon Hill will become a new temporary sculpture in Lake Union Park: “Spiral of Hope.” Thousands of tree branches from Dr. Jose Rizal Park and the greenbelt on the northwest side of Beacon Hill will be gathered and assembled by community volunteers to build the spiral, which will remain at Lake Union Park until June 17. The work is intended to give a diverse group of community members a chance to work together, as well as to stimulate thought and discussions about the issue of family homelessness.

Kiersten Throndsen of BHB news partner KOMO Communities recently posted about the project:

“Hope, opportunity, community – these are the words used to describe a new sculpture coming to Lake Union Park.

“‘We think art is an inspiring process,’ said Bryan Ohno, president of Urban Art Concept.

“Last fall, Ohno was approached by several students from Seattle University who shared a vision.

“‘They came to us and were wondering if we could use art as a tool to bring more awareness to family homelessness throughout the state of Washington,’ he said.

“Their idea sparked the ‘Spiral of Hope’ project.

“‘Usually someone is spiraling down, out of control but we are going to do the opposite, our spiral will soar up,’ said Ohno.”

Ohno worked with Beacon Hill resident Craig Thompson to organize the branch collection. Volunteers gathered branches at Rizal Park last weekend, but the project continues at the park this coming weekend as well (April 21-22). To join the volunteer project, sign up at the Facebook page, send an email to info@urbanartconcept.com with “Spiral Project Volunteer” in the subject line, or call 206-459-6857.

Volunteers are also needed to help build the sculpture on weekends starting on Friday, April 27 at Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Avenue North. The sculpture opens with a reception on Friday, May 18.

Meetings

Hasegawa, Hudgins hosting telephone town hall Thursday

L to R: Bob Hasegawa, Zack Hudgins. Photos courtesy http://www.leg.wa.gov.
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, 11th District State Representatives Bob Hasegawa and Zack Hudgins will host a telephone town hall meeting for constituents to bring up any questions, comments, and concerns about legislative and other issues. The 11th District includes parts of South Seattle including the western part of Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Burien, Sea-Tac, Tukwila, and part of Renton.

Residents of the 11th District should get a telephone call around 6 p.m. to join the town hall. Once connected, constituents may ask questions by pressing *3 on the telephone.

Health and Safety, Local Events

Be prepared! Free Red Cross presentation this week at St. George School

1972 survival preparedness guide. Image courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives.

St. George School and the American Red Cross are holding a free disaster preparedness presentation this Thursday, April 19, from 6-7 p.m. at St. George School, 5117 13th Ave. S.

Topics covered at the hour-long interactive presentation will include:

  • Information on local disasters
  • What to do during an earthquake
  • Fire safety tips
  • How to plan your escape routes
  • Items to put into a disaster kit
  • …and more.

All are welcome to attend. The event will be held in the school hall.

Beacon Bits

Beacon Bits: El Centro’s parking lot is open

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The new parking lot at El Centro is open on the future site of a new development. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.

Some Bits for you from the last few weeks:

El Centro de la Raza has opened their temporary light rail parking lot to the
public. Parking rates are listed here. The lot is in the south part of the El Centro site, directly adjacent to the Roberto Maestas Festival Street, across the street from Beacon Hill Station. The parking lot is an interim use of the site, limited to three years or less, after which El Centro plans to develop the site. Proceeds from the parking lot benefit El Centro’s human services and community building programs.

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Mayor McGinn recently led a delegation to Chongqing and Beijing, and while there distributed some Seattle souvenirs to local schoolchildren — including a Beacon Rocks! t-shirt.

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Doreen Deaver sent us this notice:

Now that the egg hunts are done, are you wondering what to do with all those plastic eggs? Jefferson Community Center is the place to bring them. We are recycling eggs! Bring them in and give them a good home. We can use them again. Thank you.

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Maple Elementary School art teacher Kate Baker was recently featured in the Seattle Times in an article about arts programs at Seattle schools.

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Blink and you’ll miss it, but Microsoft used a gorgeous photo taken from Beacon Hill in an an ad for the new Internet Explorer. (Thanks to former Beacon Hill neighbor Travis Mayfield at KOMO for noticing the photo!)

Lost and Found

Have you seen Ernie?

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(Editor’s note: The dog has been found! Thanks, everyone!)

Neighbors Phil and Yulia write:

“This little dog was lost this evening, Thursday 12th April, on Beacon Hill. His name is Ernie and he’s very skittish with strangers. He is licensed and chipped and has a red harness on. However, the phone number on his collar isn’t valid because his owner is out of the country and will probably not be able to receive cell phone calls where she is. If you have seen this dog or have found him, please contact us by email or phone [number removed now that Ernie is back home — ed.]. Thanks.”

Have you seen this dog?
Urban Planning

Application filed to build 5-story building at 12th and Holgate; appeals filed on South Beacon grading projects

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has announced a land use application to allow a 5-story, 22-unit residential building at 1814 12th Ave. S. Parking for 12 cars would be included below grade in the building. The existing 1922-built house on the 7,405 square-foot lot would be demolished.

The project will be required to go through the design review process, as well as a SEPA environmental determination. Comments on the project may be submitted to the DPD through April 15. You can submit your comments online via this link.


View Larger Map

On the far south end of the hill, appeals have been filed against the DPD’s recent Determination of Non-Significance with conditions (no environmental impact statement required), for a grading and vegetation removal project at three properties, as discussed on the Beacon Hill Blog recently. The appeal hearings for all three sites will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m.

The first is 8839 36th Ave. S. See the decision page here for more information. Here is the page about the appeal hearing.

The second project is nearby at 3400 Edward Dr. S. See the decision page here. Here is the page about the appeal hearing.

The third site is at 9025 Cecil Ave. S. See the decision page here. Here is the page about the appeal hearing.


View Grading projects on South Beacon Hill in a larger map

Education, Local Events

Take flight at Maple Elementary fundraising auction

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The Maple Elementary School PTSA is holding a fundraising auction on Saturday, May 12 from 6-9 p.m. at Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave. S. The event’s theme is “Take Flight,” and the goal is “to help our school to soar into excellence and maintain its reputation as one of the best elementary schools in Seattle.” The auction will raise funds to help support programs including after-school programs, creative teacher grants, classroom supplies, and the annual 3-day trip to Camp Seymour for 4th and 5th grade students. Community members can help in several ways: attending and buying, contributing items to be sold, or by becoming an event sponsor.

Attending: Advance tickets are $25 and you can buy them online. Tickets will be $35 at the door. Advance tickets will also be sold after school at Maple starting on April 23.

Contributing: Vendors, artists, and others are needed who can contribute gift certificates, unique experiences, or items to be sold. Donated items will be acknowledged in the auction catalog and on the PTSA’s website and Facebook page. The PTSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization so donations are tax-deductible.

Sponsoring: Become an event sponsor with a cash donation of $1,000, $500, $250 or $100. Donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged at the auction, on the websites, and at the school.

For more information, email Maple PTSA Co-President Jen Moore, jenmoore1969@gmail.com or Auction Chair Erin Brannan, ehbrannan@aol.com.

Education

Computer classes coming back to Beacon Hill library

Photo by go-team in the Beacon Hill Blog Photo Pool on Flickr.
The Seattle Public Library is bringing another series of free beginning computer classes to the Beacon Hill Library (2821 Beacon Ave. S.).

All classes are free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but seating may be limited. For more information, call 206-386-4636 or Ask A Librarian.

The class list:

  • Computer Basics 1: Learn how to use a computer keyboard and mouse.
    4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 16
  • Computer Basics 2: Learn how to use basic features of the Windows software operating system. The session will cover using the toolbars, scroll bar, and text boxes.
    4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 30
  • Email 1: Get a free email account and learn how to use it.
    10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30
  • Internet Basics 1: Learn about Web browsers and how to navigate a Web page.
    4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 14
  • Internet Basics 2: Learn how to use search engines, evaluate websites, and print from the Web.
    4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 21
  • Microsoft Word: Learn how to create, edit, format, open, save and print documents using Microsoft Word 2007.
    6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. Monday, April 30
  • Downloading E-books & Audiobooks: Learn how to download e-books and audiobooks from the Library’s website.
    10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 23
Local Events

Mark your calendar: Cinco de Mayo celebration coming soon

The Seattle Fandango Project will be performing at Cinco de Mayo. Here they are at last summer's Beacon Rocks!. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.

El Centro de la Raza brings their 7th Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration to Beacon Hill on Saturday, May 5, from 1-5 p.m. at El Centro, 2524 16th Ave. S. Admission is free and the whole family is welcome. There will be music, children’s activities, prizes, and craft and informational booths. There will also be traditional Mexican food for sale.

Performances will feature Ameyaltonal Danza Azteca, Ofelia Alanis-Torres, Seattle Fandango Project, Mariachi Seattle Azteca and a desfile cultural (cultural parade).

If you are interested in having a booth at the event, email cultura@elcentrodelaraza.org or call 206-957-4630.

Clean and Green, Education

Grow your own groceries with free gardening classes this summer at El Centro

A Beacon Hill roadside veggie garden. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
Did the warm weather this weekend make you think about gardening? You may be interested in a series of free gardening classes that will be held through September at El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave. S. Master Gardener Mick Duggan is teaching the “Growing Your Own Groceries” series on the second Saturday of each month, from 10-11:30 a.m.

Each class will include free information handouts to take home. All are welcome to “join when you can, for as long as you can.”

The first class is on April 14 in room 310 and covers:

  • Climate zones and frost
  • Soil and fertilizers
  • Crop rotation
  • Site selection and bed preparation
  • Botany basics
  • What to plant: Now, soon, and later
  • Seed starting and spacing
  • Organic pest control

Here are the agendas for the rest of the classes this summer:

May 12, Room 106:

  • What to plant now? Inside, outside, and under cover
  • Crop rotation
  • Planting and spacing
  • Vegetable specifics
  • Containers and small space
  • Weeding and slugs
  • Water smarts
  • Pest management

June 9, Room 310:

  • What to plant now?
  • Tomatoes
  • Melons in the NW
  • Flowers in the vegetable garden
  • Harvesting

July 14, Room 310:

  • What to plant now?
  • Powder mildew
  • When and how to water
  • Internet information
  • Home orchard and berries
  • Herbs

August 11, Room 310:

  • What to plant now?
  • Figs and kiwi?
  • Seed saving

September 8, Room 310:

  • What to plant now?
  • Green manure
  • Site selection and bed preparation
  • Getting ready for next year
  • Water quality
  • Leaves and the wait