North Beacon Hill

June 2011 NBHC Meeting

2011-05-31T00:34:00.000-07:00

Please join us for our upcoming meeting.

North Beacon Hill Council Agenda
Thursday, June 2, 2011
7:00 p.m., Beacon Hill Library

All are welcome!

7:00 Introductions, agenda
7:10 Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith will update us on City plans for the greenbelt commonly called "the Jungle" and the Mountain to Sound Trail. Volunteers are needed to make this idea come to fruition.
7:25 Questions and Answer Time: Discussion of City plans and the displacement of homeless camps. Where will the long-term camp residents go? The increase in homeless street inebriates is causing a problem in N. Beacon - what is being done? Establishment of an alcohol impact area (AIA) on N. Beacon.
8:00 Community announcements and concerns
-Excecutive Board vote on officers
-Nominations for Board Members
-Other community concerns, including the formation of an Alcohol Impact Advisory committee
8:30 Closure followed by Executive Board Meeting

May 2011 NBHC Meeting

2011-05-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, May 5, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

Please attend the Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Centro de la Raza prior to the meeting. This event starts at 5:30 p.m.

All are welcome to attend this meeting.

7:00 Hellos and Introductions
7:05 Transit Development Area Update - Lyle Bicknell, City of Seattle
7:35 Election
7:50 Community Concern/Announcements
8:30 Regular meeting adjourns; Board meets in Community Service Center. Election of Executive Officers.

April 2011 NBHC Meeting

2011-04-04T00:09:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda Beacon Hill Library Community Room Thursday, April 7, 2011 7:00 p.m. Tonight's meeting, though arranged before the horrific events in Japan, is as timely today as it was when arranged. Please join us to learn what we can do to prepare for emergencies. All are welcome.

7:00 Hellos and Introductions

7:05 SNAP presentation - this is a one hour workshop that will enable all of us to better prepare our homes for emergencies.

8:05 questions and answers

8;15 Dee Dunbar - Lewis Park Pedestrian and Bike Parade and Celebration

8:20 Announcements - board elections in May (four positions open), neighborhood coordinator, community information center

8:30 Regular meeting adjourns; Board meets in Community Service Center

March 2011 NBHC Meeting

2011-02-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, Mar. 3, 7:00 PM
Beacon Hill Library
　
7:00 Hellos and Agenda
7:05 Public Safety on Beacon Hill
Sgt. Ann Martin, South Precinct, Seattle Police Dep’t.
Lt. Fowler, new South Precinct Lt.
Craig Thompson - Community Leaders for Public Safety Committee Member
(10 minutes each)
7:35 Q and A
8:00 Other Community Reports and Announcements
Food Forest at Jefferson Park
Community Planting on Beacon and Forest, March 20
Advisory vote from Council on supporting parking at El Centro for 80 vehicles, and, acting on discussion at our last meeting there will be no fencing around the parking lot.
Announcements and upcoming events
8:15 Executive Board Meeting - Vote on parking at El Centro, approval of meeting minutes from previous months.

February 2011 NBHC Meeting

2011-02-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

North Beacon Hill Council Agenda
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Beacon Hill Library

Tonight is an "update" night. Come learn what exciting things are happening here on the Hill.

Agenda
7:00 Welcomes and hellos7:10 What's happening Approval of meeting minutes - 5 minutes - Chris Baily
Beacon Peds and Bike - 10 minutes - Devor Barton
Beacon Hill Merchants - 10 minutes - Robert Henrix
Beacon Arts, Music and Community Survey - 10 minutes - Betty Jean Williamson
South Seattle Police Department - 10 minutes - Devor Barton, rep from SoSPD
Treasurer's Report - Warren Yee (update on NBHC balance, balance of fiscal sponsorship accounts) - 5 minutes
Festival Street - Committee Formation 15 minutes (we will need to form a committee to oversee activities this year on Roberto Maestos Festival Street; I'd suggest membership from NBHC, El Centro, the Arts and Music Committee and the Beacon Merchants. Anyone else? )

8:15 Executive Board Meeting (15 minutes)
8:30 Close

January 2011 NBHC Meeting

2010-12-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

**Notice of Date Change due to conflict with library schedule**

Date: Wednesday, January 5th
Location: Beacon Hill Library Community Room
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Our meeting will be devoted to Festival Street, a proposed street name change to Roberto Maestos Festival Street, the street's usage in the coming year, our responsibilities, and the special permit that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is developing. Be sure to attend and add your thoughts and opinions

December NBHC Meeting

2010-11-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

December NBHC Meeting
Date: Thursday, December 2nd
Location: Beacon Hill Library Community Room
Time: 6:30 p.m.

No speakers, just food and a chance to meet your neighbors! We'll do a bit of bragging about what has happened in the past year, thank the Board members for their hard work, and enjoy spending time together. Pizza, salad and water provided by the NBHC Board. Plan to join us!

Encampment meetings: Thursday, Nov 18th

2010-11-16T00:05:00.001-08:00

On Nov. 8, Mayor Mike McGinn announced Seattle was exploring the viability of operating a City-sanctioned homeless encampment of up to 100 to 150 people at the former Sunny Jim peanut butter factory, located in the SODO district at Airport Way South and South Snoqualmie Street. The City plans to seek a nonprofit or other organization to manage the encampment, providing services to residents and data to the City.
The City will hold two community meetings this week to discuss this proposal. Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith will lead the meetings, and he and other City staff will be available to answer questions.
Both meetings will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18.
The first meeting is for adjacent businesses and will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the City of Seattle sign shop, located on the south end of the Sunny Jim site at 4200 Airport Way.
The second meeting is for the general public and will run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Showbox SODO, located at 1700 First Ave. S.
For more information regarding these meetings, please contact Elliott Day at 206-233-2664 or elliott.day@seattle.gov

October NBHC Meeting

2010-10-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, October 7, 2010
7:00 PM, Beacon Hill Public Library Community Room

All are welcome! Please plan to attend.

Numerous group or individuals are at work here on N. Beacon to make innovative and major improvements to our community. These groups will present updates on their activities to the community at this meeting. Plan to attend. There is so much happening on N. Beacon! From arts to parks to music, we’re coming into our own.

7:00 Welcomes and Introductions
7:05 Presentations by Community Groups (Five minutes per group)

Beacon Ave/S. Forest Street Planting Project – Matt and Sara Stubbs
Beacon Hill Business Association – Robert Hinrix or representative
Beacon Hill Pedestrians/Bike Committee – Dylan Ahern or representative
Beacon Rocks Festival – Paul Ray or representative
Jefferson Park Food Forest – Glenn Hurlihey or representative
Jefferson Park Playground – Freddie Merril or representative
Jefferson Park Reservoir Gatehouse Historic Designation – Mira Latoszek*
Lewis Park Re-Forestation – Dee Dunbar and Vinh Nguyen*
*These groups have asked for letters of support by the Council and will be given extra time on the agenda.

7:55 Vote to approve submitting Council letters of support for Gatehouse Historic Designation and Lewis Park’s Park’s Opportunity Fund Grant

8:00 Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator and Judith Edwards, Chair – City Budget Cuts: Loss of neighborhood service center, cuts to Neighborhood Matching Fund, impacts and strategies

8:10 Upcoming Meetings and Events
Saturday, October 16, 9:00 – 12:00, Beacon Lutheran Church
Small group action planning for our town center
http://www.cityofseattle.net/dpd/Planning/Neighborhood_Planning/NeighborhoodPlanUpdates/NorthBeaconHill/default.asp
This link allows you to review the areas prioritized at the Mercer Middle School open-house earlier this summer.

Other announcements

8:15 Executive Board Meeting/Closure

Next NBHC meeting – Thursday, November 4th, 7:00. Agenda TBA.
Announcements - Upcoming Meetings
Joint Greater Duwamish District Council/Southeast District Council meeting, Wednesday, October 27, 7:00 PM, Rainier Community Center. Stella Chao, Executive Director of the Department of Neighborhoods and a representative from the City Budget Office will entertain questions and input on the Mayor’s proposed 2011-12 budget and the cuts which are proposed for the Neighborhood Service Centers and Neighborhood Matching Fund.. Please join this event and let your voice be heard in favor of retaining our Community Service Center, Neighborhood Coordinator and funding for our many needed neighborhood projects.

City Council Budget Hearings are being held so that Seattle residents may voice their opinions on the 2011-12 budget. They are as follows:

Wed., October 13th, 5:30 PM, South Seattle Community College

Tuesday, October 26th, Council Chambers, City Hall

Mon., November 12th, 2:00 PM Full Council meets to adopt budget; Council Chambers, City Hall

Please contact your City Council members and Mayor McGinn to voice your concerns about budget cuts, including those to the Department of Neighborhoods

City Council Members – email and phone numbers

sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov 206-684-8801
tim.burgess@seattle.gov 684-8806
sally.clark@seattle.gov 684-8802
Richard.conlin@seattle.gov 684-8805 (CC Member Conlin is Council President)
Jean.godden@seattle.gov 684-8807 (CC Member Godden chairs the Budget and Finance Committee)
Bruce.harrell@seattle.gov 684-8804
Nick.lacata@seattle.gov 684-8803
Mike.O’Brien@seattle.gov 684-8800
Tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov 684-8808

Mayor Mike McGinn
Mike.mcginn@seattle.gov

Director of the Department of Neighborhoods
Stella.chao@seattle.gov

You may also submit you ideas on the budget by going to http://seattlecitycouncil.ideascale.com. Be sure to register (you may do so anonymously) so that your views are recorded. An interesting site!

September NBHC Meeting

2010-09-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, September 9, 7:00 PM
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

Please join us for an interesting and informative evening! All are welcome.

7:00 Introductions and Welcome

7:05 Allison Schwartz, Transportation Planner, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Mike Podowski, Planner, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will give an update on light rail station area parking and get feedback on the Restricted Parking Zones – how are they working for us. Q & A follows five minute presentations by each.

7:40 City Councilmember Mike O’Brien, Chair, Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee: CC member O’Brien’s City Council Committee will be making a decision this month on the Neighborhood Plan as presented by DPD; he has asked for this opportunity to receive neighborhood feedback. Mike will also be soliciting members for the Action Teams which are forming to implement the Neighborhood Plan.

8:10 Neighborhood updates
-Beacon Rocks
-Beacon Hill Business Association
- Nomination of new North Beacon Hill Council Board Member
-Resignation accepted from Shelly Bates, Board Member – thank you so much, Shelly, for all you have done for us!
-Other announcements, events

8:30 Executive Board Meeting (open to all, however only Board Members are allowed to speak and take any needed votes. If you choose to leave at this time, it’s understood!)
-Election of new board member(s) -Updates on plans made at the August Board Social meeting

July NBHC Meeting

2010-06-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Agenda
Thursday, July 1, 2010
7:00 p.m. Beacon Hill Library Community Room
All are welcome!

7:00 Welcomes and Introductions of new Board Members
7:05 Genjo Marinello: Proposed change of apartment house on Horton to mediation house, followed by questions and answers from the community.
7:30 Reports and Announcements
-Beacon Rocks, Bob Zappone
-Pinata Party, Judith
-Public Relations position needed on Board - nominations?
-Community concerns
-Other announcements
-Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator
8:30 ADJOURN

June NBHC Meeting

2010-05-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Agenda
Thursday, June 3, 2010
6:30 PM, Beacon Hill Library Community Room
All are welcome!

Please note change in start time!

6:30 Pizza and tamales, a gift to the community from the Friends of Lewis Park, and recognition of the following people and organizations who have worked so hard on the trails and parks on N. Beacon
Jefferson Park Alliance
Dr. Jose Rizal Park - Craig Thompson
Cheasty Boulevard Trail -Willie Wier
Lewis Park – Dee Dunbar and Vin Ngyun

It truly takes a village to make this such a great place to live. Each of these parks or trails has benefited by countless volunteer hours, a true gift to the community. If you are one of those volunteers, please plan to attend.

6:50 Councilmember Sally Bagshaw – Chair of Parks, Waterfront and Seattle Center Committee (10 minutes – followed by Q & A for 20 mins.)

7:20 Seattle Department of Planning and Development, Mike Podowski - Proposed plan for parking lots at the Light Rail Stations on N. Beacon and McClellan/Mt. Baker, as well as El Centro and other empty lots. (10 minutes – followed by Q & A for 20 mins.)

7:50 Board and membership vote of approval/disapproval of DPD parking lot plan; nominations for four vacant Board of Directors positions by full council membership, establishment of Board of Directors by vote of Directors.

8:00 Community concerns and announcements

Close

"Walk Bike Ride" Initiative with Mayor Mike McGinn

2010-05-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Join Mayor Mike McGinn for the announcement of the "Walk Bike Ride"Initiative.
When: Tuesday, May 11th, 2pm
Where: The Lander Festival Street (16th Ave South and South LanderStreet, next to Beacon Ave South in 98144). Extra points for gettingthere by Link Light Rail, Metro (routes #60, #38, #36), biking,or walking!
What: The mayor will introduce "Walk Bike Ride", the initiativeto make walking, biking, and riding transit the easiest ways to getaround in Seattle.

May NBHC Meeting

2010-05-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, May 6, 7:00 PM

Beacon Hill Library Community Room

Please join us for an interesting and informative evening! All are welcome.

7:00 Introductions and Welcome

7:05 City Councilmember Mike O’Brien, Chair, Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee: Plans for N. Beacon Hill, how we can be of help to Mike, how Mike can be of help to us, followed by questions and answers

7:40 Brian Dougherty, Seattle Dep’t. of Transportation: Update on 15th Ave. parking/bicycle lanes, followed by questions and answers

7:55 South Precinct Seattle Police Department report – Shelly Bates

8:00 Election of new North Beacon Hill Council Board Members

8:10 Neighborhood updates
-Beacon Rocks
-Beacon Hill Business Association
- Jefferson Park Festival (volunteers needed)
-Other announcements, events
-June meeting, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, celebration of park renewals and pizza!

International Children's Day

2010-04-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

International Children’s Day celebration, 5:00 to 8:00 pm at El Centro de la Raza

2524 16th Avenue South, featuring children’s activities and cultural games, refreshments, and presentations; for more info contact Enrique Gonzalez at 206-957-4605 or email execasst@elcentrodelaraza.org.

April NBHC Meeting

2010-03-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

The North Beacon Hill Council will meet Thursday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the Beacon Hill Library Community Room. That's not an April Fool's joke! We invite everyone that lives or owns a business here on the Hill to come hear a group of individuals present their ideas for parks here on N. Beacon. Each has applied for a Park's Department Opportunity Fund grant. Though all cannot be funded, we hope many will be. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and learn more about the awesome events that are occurring here on N. Beacon.
The agenda is as follows:
7:00 Welcomes
7:05 Presentations on applications for Park's Opportunity 'fund grants, followed by Q&A
8:00 Community Business
-$1M insurance policy which NBHC must take out to cover events on Festival Street -Recognizing the Beacon Music Association as a sub-committee of NBHC
-Upcoming music events on Festival Street
-Beacon Business Association formation update
-Update on Jefferson Park playground
-Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator
8:30 Close

2010 Closure Dates for Furlough: Seattle Dept of Neighorhoods

2010-02-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

Furlough Information
Due to citywide budget cuts, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and its Neighborhood Service Centers are required to close offices for 10 furlough days in 2010. The schedule is as follows:
2010 Closure Dates for Furlough
Tuesday, February 16
Monday March 15
Monday, April 12
Tuesday, June 1
Tuesday, July 6
Monday, August 9
Tuesday, September 7
Monday, October 11
Monday, December 27

Feb NBHC Meeting

2010-02-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting
Feb. 4, 2010, 7:00 PM
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

All are welcome! Come hear what's going on on the Hill (a lot!).

7:00 Welcomes and Introductions
7:10 Councilmember Sally Clark
-her new assignment on the Council
-how we can be of help to her; how she can be of help to us
-conversation with attendees
7:50 SE Precint report on crime on Beacon Hill - Shelly Bates and/or a rep. from the SE Precinct
8:00 Committee/sub-committee Reports (three minutes each)
-Greater Duwamish District Council (Matthew Stubbs)
-Business Association (Robert Hinrix)
-Arts Association and Festival Street (Robert Hinrix)
-Neighborhood Planning/Bike and Pedstrian proposal (Freddie Merrel)
8:10 Council vote: approving Robert Hinrix as a new Board Member, establishing time for Board Meeting
8:15 Community Concerns
8:30 Closure

Neighborhood Plan Updates-Now Online

2010-01-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

The North Beacon Hill plan updates are now live online here:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Neighborhood_Planning/NeighborhoodPlanUpdates/default.asp

Mayor McGinn Inauguration Party

2010-01-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

First of all, thank you again for all your support last year. It's been a long journey to City Hall, and we couldn't have done it without you. We understand there's been some confusion regarding the inaugural events that are planned for tomorrow, Saturday the 9th.

To set the record straight, in addition to the private reception at the Showbox SODO, there will be two inaugural events tomorrow that are free and open to the public: an open house at City Hall (600 4th Ave) from 1 to 5 pm, and a party at 8:00 at the Showbox SODO (1700 1st Ave S), featuring the Maldives, Wheedle's Groove, and Hey Marseilles. Local food vendors including Marination Mobile, Kao Samai Thai, and Gert's BBQ will be parked outside selling their refreshments. Please join us if you can.

www.cityofseattle.gov - click on "Inaugural Week Events"

January NBHC Meeting

2010-01-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, Jan. 7th, 2009
7:00 PM
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

All are welcome!
7:00 Welcomes, agenda, introductions
7:05 Lewis Park request for Council to act as fiscal sponsors for two grant applications - vote required
7:15 Focus for 2010 A number of issues came forward in our December meeting. We will need to form committees for each, so come prepared to volunteer your time and energy. Most committees meet once per month, and your total time expenditure should not be more than 4-6 hours monthly, perhaps less.
-Revision of Neighborhood Development Guidelines to include specific verbage on new construction set-backs
-Festival Street usage, Seattle Dep't. of Transportation requirements
-Continued development of Neighborhood Plan, which includes expansion towards Jefferson Park
-Business development in Urban Core, with emphasis on monitoring plans for expansion around the Light Rail Station
-Improved internet access
-Amendment of city zoning codes to better accomodate home businesses
-Historic preservation of Craftsman homes
8:00 Neighborhood concerns, reports from standing committees/sub-committees
8:30 Close

City Light meeting to discuss power pole options

2009-12-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

YOU ARE INVITED TO A MEETING WHERE YOUR ATTENDANCE REALLY MATTERS
WHO: All Beacon Hill Neighbors
WHAT: A meeting with Mr. Carrasco, Director of Seattle City Light, who will discuss options for the power pole installation/upgrade near 12th & Stevens.
WHERE: Jefferson Park Community Center
WHEN: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 from 7:00-9:00P.M.
WHY: To let Seattle City Light know our community would like an evaluation of alternative options for locating the power lines with full participation of its residents.

Lander Street-Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

2009-11-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10:00 AM Festival Street will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony! Festival Street is that block of Lander between Beacon Ave. and 17th Ave., just south of El Centro del la Raza and north of the Light Rail Station. There will be coffee and donuts donated by local merchants, tents set up in case of rain (in Seattle?), and visits from City leaders. Please come celebrate what the Pedestrian Task Force and Robert Hinrix have worked so hard to bring to fruition.

December NBHC Meeting

2009-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

The North Beacon Hill Council cordially invites the community to help us celebrate a big year, honor the many who contributed to make it possible, and plan for the year to come.
We'll meet at 6:30 PM, on Wednesday, December 3rd in the Community Room of the Beacon Library. It's a potluck, so bring a dish to share.

Agenda 6:30
Social time, pot luck7:00 A time to honor those who have given so much (and finish eating!)
7:15 Business meeting
-Estela Ortega, Executive Director, El Centro de la Raza: Future plans for development of S. parcel of El Centro property (25 minutes, including Q&A)
-12th Ave. and Stevens St. neighbors request to become an ad-hoc committee of NBHC in order to challenge City Light's installation of obtrusive power lines (5minutes) .vote required -Discussion of final draft, Department of Planning and Development's Neighborhood Plan Update (15 minutes) .vote required to approve/disapprove
-Letter to Council Member Sally Clark, Chair, Planning and Land Use Committee: Action to ensure that N. Beacon Hill Development Design Guidelines are employed in future construction (10 minutes) .vote required
8:05 Future focus: where should we put our energy in the coming year? What are the issues the community is concerned with?
8:30 Closure

November NBHC Meeting

2009-11-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

The North Beacon Hill Council will meet Thursday, Nov. 5th at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of the Beacon Hill Library. All are welcome! You are a voting member of the Council if you have attended one meeting previously. The Council is our voice to city government, and your voice makes a difference.This is an important meeting (as they all are!). Lyle Bicknell, Project Manager of the Neighborhood Planning Update team will present the results of the two open houses held in September to gain information on the plans prepared by the Department of Neighborhoods and Seattle Department of Planning and Development. These plans, which affect the area surrounding our new light rail station, are a response to input from the public meetings held here on North Beacon and the survey comments sent to the Department of Neighborhoods. It is important that your voice be heard, whether you agree or disagree, as these plans will be submitted for municipal code review by the end of the year. Please note that board business and issues of concern to many community residents occur at the end our our meeting. You may choose only to stay for Lyle Bicknell's report back, and a small break will allow those who wish to leave at that time to do so.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 Agenda
North Beacon Hill Council
Beacon Hill Public Library
7:00 PM

7:00 Welcomes and introductions
7:10 Lyle Bicknell, City of Seattle - Neighborhood Plan Updates followed by questions and comments from the floor
8:00 Community Reports and Concerns (2-3 minutes each)
-Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator
-Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee (Judith Edwards)
-Greater Duwamish District Council (Matthew Stubbs, NBHC rep)
-Neighborhood Planning Ad Hoc Committee
-Jefferson Park Playground
-Seattle Police Department - Safety (Shelly Bates)
-Festival Street Opening (Curtis LaPierre)
-Other
8:30 Close

October NBHC Meeting

2009-09-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

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 Sup't. Jorge Carrasco, Seattle City Light
-10 minutes for presentation - City Light's placement of sight-line obstructive poles on West Beacon Hill in 12th Ave. neighborhood
-15 minutes Q & A
7:25 Brian Dougherty, Seattle Department of Transportation
-Proposed parking changes for 15th Ave. S. presentation (10)
-Q & A (10)
7:55 Community Reports and Council Business
-Seattle Police Department (10)
-Neighborhood Planning Ad Hoc Committee (5)
(Vote needed, quorum required)
If motion is passed, formation of committee to draft a grant for ongoing neighborhood planning work (5)
-Other
Matthew Stubbs as NBHC representative to GDDC - vote required
Announcements from Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator
Other announcements and any concerns from the community
8:30 Closure

Neighborhood Plan Update: Community Open House

2009-09-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

On Sun. September 27 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and Wed. September 30 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) the City of Seattle will host Neighborhood Plan Update Community Open Houses. These community open houses are another opportunity to take an active role in addressing the local issues and concerns that affect you, your family, and your neighbors. All stakeholders are invited to participate—residents, renters, business owners, property owners, various community organizations and institutions. Please join us for this important community event! PREVIEW DRAFT PLAN UPDATES AND GRAPHICS ONLINE:
MLK @ Holly (Othello)
North Rainier (Mount Baker)
North Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill)
Interpreters will be available in the following languages: Amharic, Cantonese, Khmer, Mandarin, Oromiffa, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya and Vietnamese. ACRS is an accessible facility. Please contact us for special accommodations.

July NBHC 2009 Meeting Minutes

2009-09-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

NBHC: July 9, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Introductions
Lyle Bicknell, DPD: May town hall meeting summary.
In late Sept there will be a meeting to go over some of the recommendations by DPD. The goal is to have recommendations for neighborhood and city council approval. Where can we find information about the neighborhood plan and the urban village? Concerned about having lots of development up against single family residential. Lyle says: Go to the DPD website and click on neighborhood planning. www.seattle.gov/dpd Lyle Bicknell: 684-0763
Brian Dougherty, Department of Transportation, Multi-modal group (ped master plan, bike master plan, safe school walks):
The city’s bicycle master plan prioritized 15th and 12th Ave from Jose Rizal to Columbian Way for bicycle usage.
Currently: Peak parking restrictions. Lanes are not wide enough for 2 vehicles, but they are wide enough to encourage speed. Studies found that 85% of people were traveling 42.2mph or less, which means that 15% were going faster than this (the speed limit through this corridor is 30mph).
Captain Liggins: SE Seattle Police Department
The last few months have been some of the most interesting in Capt. Liggins’ career. There was a significant increase in burglaries as they entered the summer months. SPD has been able to make significant headway: they arrested a couple of suspects in progress (which was in the paper recently) and traced 300 laptops to these people. SPD has also been able to emphasize collection of trace evidence in relation to this type of activity—getting lots of hit on fingerprints from inside the houses.
Also fortunate in that SPD South Precinct staffing numbers have increased significantly (were at 70 officers a few years ago, now at 100). They are trying to get staffing up throughout the department in order to match the work load city-wide. The schedule change won’t occur until next year, though.
Neighborhood policing program: redefining boundaries for each precinct. Now have 64 geographic areas in the city. The South Precinct now includes SoDo and goes to I-90. , however this is a fairly large area, so they may have to re-divide this in order to make sure no one beat or sector is overloaded.
Judith: Announcements
No formal meeting in August, but the Board will have a social gathering at Curtis’ house.
Greater Duwamish District Council has approved NSF funding to put lights in the pavement for the crosswalk at the library and hopefully a pedestrian safety island. $50k for these projects.
Lewis Park Update:
Vinh has applied for a grant from King County and needs a vote to approve acting as a fiscal agent. Curtis moves that we act as a fiscal agent for “friends of Lewis Park”. Seconded by Shelly Bates. Motion passes.
Report from the ad hoc committee on Neighborhood planning: Jonas Davis
The Committee feels like there isn’t adequate support to review the process and information for the proposals under the timeline given by DPD. There has also been a lack of information from the city that is necessary to prepare [the neighborhood] for an appropriate neighborhood plan update.
The committee would like to formally to ask for an extension so that we get another year to do the planning and would like approval from the NBHC for a proposal to request an extension.

September NBHC Meeting

2009-09-07T22:25:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting
Thursday, September 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Beacon Lutheran Church across the street from the library at 1720 South Forest Street
Agenda:
7:00 Welcome
7:05 Lyle Bicknell, Neighborhood Planning Update followed by Q & A
7:35 Brian Dougherty, Seattle Department of Transportation - 15th Ave. Parking
7:50 Goodbye to Eric Sano, Seattle Police Department
8:00 Community reports and concerns
-Steve Louie, Neighborhood Coordinator (3 minutes)
-Neighborhood Planning Ad Hoc Committee (10 minutes - includes time to vote)
-Community concerns (10 minutes)
-Next month/announcements (7 minutes)
8:30 Close

June NBHC 2009 Meeting Minutes

2009-09-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

NBHC: June 4, 2009 Meeting Notes
Introductions.
Fredrica Merrel, Neighborhood planning ad hoc committee (urban plan):
Report from advisory committee. She will post report to the blog. You can sign up through her: 1x-2x/month. Have been meeting weekly, lately. Proposals for infrastructure, ideas for public benefit for zoning, sharing concerns with DPD, trying to get word out to the community. Seven proposals. Feels that we are lacking in analytical support re: growth targets, etc.. Sees the process as brainstorming. Would like to propose that committee evaluates the process. Will ask for a vote soon.
Judith (on neighborhood planning advisory committee) has asked for these types of resources from the city. City has a comprehensive plan that it wants bookmarks for each neighborhood. Rumor is that the plan isn’t due until next March—why do we need to rush plan if it’s not due in Dec.?
Bob Webb, a resident of the hill died. He was one of Tuskegee airmen and one of the founders of the NBHC.
Vinh Nguyen: Lewis Park
Vinh has been working for 2 years. You can email him to be added to the list. Work there every Sunday 9-1pm. Outreach of students, neighbors and volunteers. Lots of volunteer hours. Most of the volunteers are from east Seattle, north, south. Not many people from Beacon Hill have gotten involved—please volunteer.
Good news: got award from DPD $15,000 grant. Helps them to hire a geologist to study the slope. Working with private contractors to work on the slope site (need $250k to restore long-term). Have planted nearly 1k native plants and trees to improve the environment for everyone in our neighborhood. Need a native English speaker to help to educate students/youth.
Bad news: professional thieves came to Lewis park and stole a lot of plant—picked rare and expensive plants. If you see any cars parked a Lewis park, write down the license plates to keep a log. Security at PacMed will help watch, too.
Matthew Stubbs: Jefferson Park Festival: NBH Table. Set up at 10am, until 4pm.
Megan Hoyt & Curtis LaPierre: DPD/Transportation. Lander Festival Street:
The project is in the hovering phase while they build the street…once the street is built, it can built out. Expect construction to start in September if all goes well. This was funded by the Neighborhood street fund grant ($200k) and a neighborhood large project fund grant which paid for some of the planning work. Robert—do we want to have an opening celebration in Mid-October(ish)?
Megan’s job is to make sure the Festival street is built as soon as possible. Many of the people on the project are Beacon Hill neighbors.
Festival street will feel like a plaza and to vehicles it will feel slow. Latest rumor is that the private land owners do not want fences around their individual plots to disrupt the space. The neighborhood planning center (Steve L.) will have the key for bollards to close the festival street.
Estella Ortega: El Centro de la Raza:
El Centro is in the process getting artist renderings for possible projects with property in time for the July 18th light rail station grand opening. Estimates are that on the weekend of the 18th-19th: 100k people will end up riding the train! Estella feels like they are a little behind schedule, but are working with SEED now on the process.
Martin Padilla is the architect on the project. They are thinking about establishing some kind of plaza within the development similar to a traditional “zocalo”. El Centro will use feedback from pancake breakfast and neighborhood planning meetings in order to make sure it fits in the neighborhood. The process is still in the works to figure out how to do outreach, but will likely include affordable housing, offices, retail, etc.. They also will need big community rooms for events and cultural activities. El Centro plans to retain the existing historic building.
Current businesses in the businesses located at El Centro include: Travel agency, church, dance studio, acupuncture, technology company, couple nonprofits (homestead, global visionaries). Empty spaces have been renting up because train is coming.
Shelly Bates: Crime Update
Shelly recently attended a block-watch group that included Mark Solomon, Ed Haynes, John McGoodwin. The meeting focused on alcohol usage and the impact, but concluded that there was almost no chance of getting an alcohol impact area on Beacon Hill. Perhaps we can push for an alcohol impact area as part of neighborhood planning—keep asking for it!
Alcohol problems were cited as a concern. Police suggestion was to call 911 and request a “report number” and keep a log. We can supply the information to John McGoodwin to build a case for license renewal in order to press for a good neighbor agreement from area businesses.
Prostitution: In Columbia City, they organized a sting and arrested 5 johns.
If you have seen underage sales at the Valero, please record times and instances. Provide information to Officer Haynes, Shelley Bates or John McGoodwin.
Update on the permit for change of use zoning at First Choice Auto Detailing—the current space is permitted for retail, and is located in an area zoned for pedestrians (no drive-in or drive through businesses). Essentially, because they keep coming back to DPD, they keep getting extensions. There were some drawings already on file with DPD and the owners were able to take those into account. DPD needs additional information from the owners.
Shelly wrote a letter to send to Diane Sukimora (DPD)and Sally Clark. Beacon Hill blog photo-pool has a photo that can be sent with it. Mira suggests that we comment into the Seattle pedestrian master plan with photos. Project # for reference: 6216884.
Steve Louie:
Tim Galagher has been sponsoring community Meetings: June 15th on VanAsselt. Jefferson park on June 16th. He wants to talk about strategies that the parks department is looking at. Light rail opening is supposed to be on time in Beacon Hill.
Judith: Other items:
Michael Richmond is putting together a candidate forum. Contact Michael at Beacon Hill Mail.
Picnic and Pinata Party date not set: should we have it the same weekend as ST opening?
June 18th: City Neighborhood Council’s Candidate forum for all candidates running for the council. 5pm. At city hall.
June 24th, 6:30pm Greater Duwamish District Council Meeting at Library at 6:30pm.
July meeting is July 2nd, but conflicts with the 4th of July holiday weekend. Voted to move it to the 9th. Hope Sally Clark comes. Lyle Bicknell. Must check to see if the library is available but if not available, we can probably meet at the Church. Freddie suggests we get an update on current and proposed zoning changes (maybe Michael Jenkins?).
Suggested that NBHC doesn’t meet in August.

July NBHC Meeting

2009-07-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting
Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 7:00pm
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

The North Beacon Hill Council is the voice of the community and everyone is welcome. Attendance at one meeting makes you a voting member! Come learn about the future of our neighborhood planning process, the opening of Sound Transit's Light Rail Tunnel, and much, much more.

Agenda:

7:00 Welcomes, agenda and introductions
7:10 Brian Dougherty, Seattle Department of Transportation: Proposed parking revision on 15th Ave, followed by Q&A
7:30 Lyle Bicknell, Department of Planning and Development: Results of May N. Beacon Hill Town Hall Meeting, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, followed by Q&A
7:50 Ad hoc committee report followed by Q&A - vote may be required
8:00 South Precinct SPD or Shelly Bates
8:10 Community Concerns Upcoming Events
-July 18, opening of Light Rail Tunnel Festivities
-No Picnic and Pinata Party in the Park due to above (but we'll be back with a great celebration next year!)
-Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee update
-Pedestrian Crossing at library
-Lewis Park grant from King County - vote needed
-Other?
8:30 Closure

Piñata Party hiatus in 2009

2009-06-19T23:05:00.001-07:00

Hi Neighbors,

We've decided to skip the annual Piñata Party in Triangle Park (Stevens and Beacon) this year.

We had originally planned the event for July 18th. Now that's Link Light Rail's first day. After thinking about it, we decided to take this year off and come back with a great party in 2010. The tentative date we set is Saturday, July 10, 2010.
If you want to help organize the 2010 Piñata Party, let me know and we'll connect closer to the event.

Happy summer!

Jon Gould, for the Piñata Party Organizing Committee
206.328.8310
jongould@cablespeed.com

Restoration at Lewis Park-Sunday, June 7th

2009-06-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hello North Beacon Neighbors, Urban Foresters,You are invited to help restore Lewis Park to it's natural habitat this Sunday, June 7th. A Lewis Park forest steward will be at the park between the hours of 9:00 am 1:00 pm. You are welcome to participate any time within those hours for as little or as long as is convenient for you. Tools, gloves and water is provided. Feel free to bring your own gloves if you would like.Currently we are working in the North Central area preparing the soil for planting in the fall. This coming Sunday we will be removing invasives, and applying wood chip. Hope to see you there. If you are unable to work this day, perhaps you can come by and say Hi for a few minutes :)Please email us so we know how many people to expect and can prepare supplies for everyone.

Thanks,Lewis Park Forest Stewards
Vinh 206-793-5028, vngyen.green@yahoo.com
Dee 206-778-1377, dd1377@gmail.com

June NBHC Meeting

2009-05-31T22:06:00.001-07:00

North Beacon Hill Council Agenda
Thursday, June 4, 2009
7:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Please Note Change of Location: Beacon Lutheran Church, NW corner of 18th Ave. and Forest St, 1 block East of Library

7:00 Welcomes and Introductions
7:10 Updates
-Neighborhood Planning Ad Hoc Committee - Freddie Merrill (10 minutes - probable vote needed)
-Lewis Park - Vinh Nguyen (5 minutes)
-Candidate's Night - Michael Richmond (5 minutes - vote of approval needed)
7:30 South Lander Festival Street Update, Megan Hoyt, Seattle Department of Transportation
7:50 El Centro de la Raza plans for development - Estella Rodriguez, El Centro de la Raza
8:10 SE Precinct Seattle Police Department, Capt. Eric Sano/Shelly Bates
8:25 Community concerns, announcements
8:45 Closure

Benefit Recital for St. George School-May 29, 2009

2009-05-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Pianists in Collaboration

May 29, 2009 Benefit Recital for St. George!

Marissa Rebadulla Ramos, music teacher at St. George, will play a benefit concert for St. George on May 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the church. She has also invited friends and fellow U.W., USC, Yale and U of Arizona alumna to join her – we will have two grand pianos and dueling pianists! Please mark this in your calendars and bring friends and family to hear Ms. Marissa play for St. George! This is an incredible opportunity for all of us to hear grand music. Tickets will be on sale soon. $10 for adult admission and $5 for children. Call the school at (206) 762 0656 to reserve tickets. Read below for more information from Ms. Marissa.

“Pianists in Collaboration” was formed in 2003 by a group of UW School of Music piano students who were seeking a venue for piano ensemble performance. The group has performed numerous concerts at the University of Washington Brechemin Auditorium and in benefit concerts for the Edmonds Adventist Church. Since then, they have advanced their careers, some pursuing further higher education, others with successful piano studios and performance careers. They hold master’s degrees in piano from the University of Washington, University of Southern California and University of Arizona. Collaborative music nourished both the pianists’ performance careers and their friendship with each other. After two years of hiatus, they are eager to perform together once again and share their love of music with the St. George Parish and community. Enjoy the dynamic performance of seven talents in a repertoire that includes Mozart, Brahms, Joplin and more.

St George is located on the corner of S. Dawson Street & 13th Avenue South. The address is 5117 13th Avenue South.

May NBHC Meeting

2009-04-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

May 7, 2009
North Beacon Hill Council Meeting
7:00 PM, Beacon Hill Library

Please be sure to join us for this important meeting - and all are welcome. A new Board of Directors will be elected at this meeting. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please attend. We ask that you be a voting member (having attended one meeting), are willing to attend each monthly meeting, and have an interest in the future of North Beacon Hill at this time of transition. We will also hear updates on the Neighborhood Plan Update, Jefferson Park and the Pedestrian Plaza/Festival Street.

Agenda
7:00 Welcomes and introductions
7:10 Updates from Friends of Jefferson Park, Beacon Pedestrians and Public Plaza, Neighborhood Plan Ad-hoc Committee, and others as needed - BRIC? SONG?
7:30 Election of Board of Directors
-introduction of new members who are interested in board positions
-introduction of carry over Board Members
-election of new Board Members
7:55 Police report - Sgt. Sano or Shelly Bate
8:15 Community concerns/announcements
8:30 Close

North Beacon Hill Neighborhood Plan Update

2009-04-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Many of you were unable to attend the March 28th North Beacon Hill workshop on Neighborhood Planning held at El Centro de la Raza. We are one of three SE Seattle locations which will have updates to our neighborhood plans, due to our proximity to light rail stations. The following link takes you to a simple survey that is being used to gather input from the residents of the community. It asks what you want Beacon Hill to be like in the future, what appeals to you about the Hill, etc. Please take the time to fill it out - it only takes about five minutes.

At the workshop, copies of our Neighborhood Plan were made available to each table group. Neighborhood facilitators helped groups to identify those improvements to the Hill that are part of the Neighborhood Plan. We also looked at those aspects of the plan which have yet to realize completion, for example Jefferson Park, a boulevard on Beacon Ave. that extends south to Jefferson Park, and other improvements. Please look at the plan on your next visit to the Library. An ad hoc committee of the North Beacon Hill Council is now meeting to define those elements of the Neighborhood Plan which have high priority. If you would like to join this committee, contact Freddie Merrill at frmerrill@seattleschools.org or Robert Hinrix at robphin@yahoo.com.

Your input to the future of Beacon Hill is important. Thanks for taking five minutes to fill out the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=uxNMJI_2faljdKSs45K1UsfQ_3d_3d

Community Update and Outreach-Jefferson Park Expansion Phase 2

2009-04-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday April 21st

6:30-7:45pm

Beacon Hill Library

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites you and your family to participate in a community meeting to discuss Jefferson Park Expansion.

The new 2008 Parks Levy, along with current funding, will support Phase One and Phase Two development of the new park. A Master Plan for the site was developed in 2002 as a guide for future phases. Parks begins construction on Phase One this summer. At this meeting we will discuss the community's priorities for Phase Two. Design of Phase Two begins later this year.

Please join us to hear an update on Phase One development of Jefferson Park and to voice the priorities that will better serve you community as we develop the scope for Phase Two.

For more info contact:

Kim Baldwin, Project Manager kim.baldwin@seattle.gov

http://seattle.gov/parks/ProParks/projects/JeffersonPark.htm

April 2 (Thursday) NBHC Meeting at 7 p.m. at Beacon Hill Library

2009-04-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

The North Beacon Hill Council Meeting will be a short one this month, as we must be out of the Library by 8:00. Though short, it's very important.

Planning Director Ray Gastil of the Seattle Department of Planning and Development will be with us. Ray chairs the inter-departmental team that is updating our Neighborhood Plans.

On Saturday many of us met with Ray and others to provide input to the Station Area planning and ultimately, our Neighborhood Plans. Ray is meeting with us to answer these questions:

1. How can the community stay involved in the process, particularly concerning how the information gained at Saturday's workshop is incorporated into our existing neighborhood plan and matrix?

2. What are realistic time lines for different phases of the planning process? How do zoning updates, review by other city departments, Seattle's Comprehensive Plan, etc. affect this timeline?

3. How can we build a collaborative and trusting relationship with your department and others in the city? What can we expect from you? What do you expect from us?

Please plan to attend this important meeting. The agenda is as follows:

7:00 Hellos, Introductions, Announcements
7:15 Ray Gastil, Director, office of Planning and Development, City of Seattle
7:25 Q&A with Ray
7:40 Community Concerns - due to our limited time frame there will be no police visit this month.
7:55 Close

Department of Neighborhoods Workshops

2009-01-08T09:19:00.001-08:00

Click on the image to view workshops being offered by the Department of Neighborhoods. The Letter of Intent deadline for applying to the Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project Fund is February 2, 2009. Two technical assistance workshops on applying to the Large Projects Fund are being held on Tuesday, January 13 at Greenwood Library, and on Thursday, January 22 at Yesler Community Center. These are great opportunities to learn more about the Large Projects Fund and to ask questions about putting together an application.

DON is also beginning a series of free workshops entitled Empowerment and Information: Community Education Series. The first two workshops are being held January 14 and January 28 at Seattle Central Community College and focus on Fundraising and Community Empowerment and Organizing. The primary goal of the 2009 Series is to provide more access to skills and information for Seattle residents who are starting, growing, or sustaining grassroots organizations.

Space is limited and you're encouraged to RSVP to Wendy Watson at 684-0719. For more information, contact:

Laurie Ames
Department of Neighborhoods
Neighborhood Matching Fund
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 1700
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124
684-0320

North Beacon Hill Council Meeting - January 8th, 2009

2009-01-05T22:30:00.000-08:00

North Beacon Hill Community Council Meeting Agenda

Thursday, January 8th, 7:00 - 8:30

Beacon Hill Library

Community Room

All are welcome! Come meet your neighbors.

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 asked 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

Light Rail Parking Plan for Beacon Hill - Open Houses

2009-01-05T22:17:00.001-08:00

Your participation is needed - please help shape the parking proposal to install on -street parking regulations on Beacon Hill. Join SDOT and Sound Transit at any one of three upcoming Open House to review and comment on station area proposals:

Saturday, Jan 10th, 11am-1pm
El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S

Thursday, Jan 15th, 6pm - 8pm
New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Ave S

Thursday, Jan 22nd, 10am - 12 noon
Mezza Cafe, Starbucks Corporate Building, Floor 3, 2401 Utah St/S. Lander St.

More information, including maps of proposed parking restrictions, can be found on:
SDOT Light Rail Parking Plans: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/lightrailparking.htm
Beacon Hill Station: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/lrp_beaconhill.htm
McClellan Station: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/lrp_mtbaker.htm
Parking Plan Flyer: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/docs/lrp/BhillMtbakerREVIEW.pdf

Community Safety Fair Jan 10th

2009-01-05T22:03:00.000-08:00

The Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Public Schools, and the Greater Duwamish District Council are hosting a Community Safety Fair for the Beacon Hill community:

Saturday, January 10, 2009
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cleveland High School
5511 15th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108)

This event is free to the public.

The Community Safety Fair will provide community members with tools to affect positive change in their communities. This is not a forum for people to vent and take no action.

The “Community Safety Fair” will offer break-out sessions on three topics: the 911 system; emergency preparedness & home security; and, finally, dealing with neighborhood nuisance concerns (property laws and problem-solving).

City Departments will also have staffed resource booths for community information.

For more information, please call Steve Louie, Greater Duwamish Neighborhood District Coordinator (Department Of Neighborhoods) at 206-233-2044 or 206-396-0200 (C) or e-mail steve.louie@seattle.gov

Click on the images to view the flyer translated in different languages. If you know of someone who is non-english speaking and know would be interested in attending the event, please pass this along. Interpretation services will be available. Please let Steve Louie know at least 5 days in advanced what language is needed.

South Precinct Newsletter - Jan 5, 2009

2009-01-05T22:01:00.000-08:00

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter
January 5, 2009

Dear Community Friends,

Resolve for your neighborhood to be a burglary free zone in 2009!

With the holidays now over, chances are you have new possessions at your home and/or business. Now is a good time to take precautions to reduce your risk of losing those possessions to burglary or theft.

In a recent newsletter, we talked about the Problem Oriented Policing concept of the Crime Triangle This concept basically says for criminal activity to occur, three elements need to be present: an offender, a target or victim and a place. If any one of these elements is altered or impacted, the criminal activity is impacted or even eliminated. Let’s use this concept to address the “problem” of burglary and/or theft.

Can you impact the Offender?
Yes. Dissuade the offender from choosing your place as the target. You do this by being alert and paying attention to suspicious people in your neighborhood (or your workplace for that matter). Being conspicuously alert makes potential offenders nervous and will tend to make them seek a target or place that doesn’t have as many eyes, or where they have less risk of being seen, identified or caught.

Can you impact the Place?
Yes. You impact the place by improving security and making it less attractive to the burglar. One thing that makes a place attractive to burglars is having cover and concealment to work on a door or window without being seen by neighbors or the occupants. Therefore, trimming shrubbery around the exterior of your home or business to improve lines of sight (to make it easier for your neighbors to see activity at your place), improving lighting and having lights that are motion activated make the place less attractive to burglars. The next step is to “harden the target” – make it more difficult for someone to gain illegal entry. Start by locking doors and windows. Then upgrade your door locking hardware, your windows and window latches. The crime prevention coordinators for your area can assist you with a free security evaluation of your environment and make recommendations for security improvements.
You could move the place. I’ve spoken with many people who have discussed relocating a business or moving out of a neighborhood. However, regardless of where you moved, you’d have the same concerns about impacting a potential offender and reducing your risk as a target/victim. As the saying goes, “No matter where you go, there you are.”

Can you impact the Target/Victim?
Yes. In this regard, I’m using “target” to refer to property at risk of being stolen. You can make the property less attractive to the thief by impacting the thief’s ability to pawn or sell the property. Ensure personal property is engraved with your Driver’s License or State ID number, and that your business’ property is engraved with the business name and the business ID number. An electronic engraver can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores for under $25. As many of us have new items we received over the holidays (new flat-panel TVs, laptop & desktop computers, gaming systems, etc.) now would be the time to engrave the items and make an inventory list of them (make, model #, serial #, location and approximate value). An additional benefit is that if marked property has been reported as stolen, and someone other than the owner is found with that property, the person with the item can be detained and investigated for possession of stolen property.

These are not the only solutions, just one example of how to use the Crime Triangle to address a specific crime concern. The same problem solving principles can be used to tackle any neighborhood quality of life or public safety issue. We’ll explore some of those examples in future Newsletters.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

South Precinct Newsletter - Dec 15, 2008

2009-01-05T21:56:00.001-08:00

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter
December 15, 2008

Dear Community Friends:

We wanted to repeat the Crime Prevention During the Holidays newsletter for you. We hope you find the information useful.

Crime Prevention During The Holidays
During the holiday season, we often see a spike in certain crime types. For example, neighbors have reported that they have had packages (gifts for others) delivered to their home only to find that the packages were stolen off the porch. Others have had items stolen from their cars. While car prowl is nothing new, it does seem to escalate when there are packages clearly visible in the car.

This extended newsletter focuses on safety and security during the holiday season. These recommendations will hopefully reduce your risk of being a crime victim during this time of year.

Prevention Tips While Shopping

Take a friend along when doing holiday shopping. Using the buddy system reduces your chances of being a victim of robbery.
When paying by cash, only take out the amount needed and keep the remainder out of view. It’s always a good idea to carry minimal amounts of cash, regardless of the time of year.
Don’t tempt a thief by leaving your purse, wallet or packages unattended. It only takes a second to grab them.
Beware of strangers who bump, shove or get too close. Pickpockets may use these diversions to lift your wallet.
Be cautious of those you don’t know who offer to carry bags and packages for you. Depending on where you shop, store personnel or mall security may offer assistance in carrying packages to your car or escorting you to your vehicle.
If you have to return to your car to store purchases, place them in the trunk out of sight. Do this when you get to your car, rather than waiting until you park at your next stop. Gifts and other valuables should never be left in clear view.
Before returning to your car, make sure you’re not over-burdened with packages. Have your car keys in hand to avoid “searching” for them when you reach your car.

When Using an ATM

Only take out the amount you need, rather than the maximum you can get.
Don’t walk away from the cash machine counting your money. That’s an invitation to someone who may not have the best of intentions in mind.
Beware of strangers hanging around the ATM. Wait until they leave, or consider using an alternate cash machine. You should report suspicious people to bank personnel, mall security and/or police.
Secure your money and your bankcard or credit card back in your wallet or pocket before leaving the ATM.
Always keep your PIN number separate from your bank and/or credit card.

Prevention Tips At Home

Don’t openly display your Christmas tree and gifts in the front window so it’s easily visible from the street. You increase the possibility that a burglar will be tempted to gain entry and steal the gifts.
When disposing of the packaging in which gifts and other purchases come, realize that when you place these out for recycling or trash collection, those boxes sitting out on the curb on collection day give a passer-by a pretty good indication of what’s in your home. Recycle the packaging, yes - but break the boxes down first, put them inside out so the exterior writing does not show, and don’t put them on the curb until collection day.
If you have ordered items and are going to have them delivered, consider having them delivered to your place of business rather than your home. This reduces the opportunity for packages to be left unattended on your porch and therefore an enticing target for thieves.
Burglars often enter through unlocked doors or windows. When exterior Christmas light extension cords are run inside through a window, this prevents the window from being secured, and this unsecured window is visibly noticeable. Consider installing an inexpensive exterior outlet for your holiday lights so you don’t provide an opened and unlocked entry to your home.

Traveling Away For The Holidays

Let your trusted neighbors know that you plan to be out town so that they can watch your home for you. If they see suspicious activity while you are gone, they will know to call 911 for you.
Have the Post Office hold your mail.
Don’t leave descriptive telephone answering machine messages, such as; “You’ve reached the Wilson’s. We’re away skiing for the holidays and won’t be back until….” Strangers don’t need to know your schedule or that your home is going to be unoccupied for an extended length of time. Bad guys love to hear that they have plenty of time to break in and ransack your home.

Holiday Parties

If you will be hosting a party, establish a guest list and greet your guests at the door. Be careful when opening your home to “uninvited guests.”
Balance the desire to want to show off your valuables and treasures with security consciousness. Put easily portable valuable items out of sight. This will reduce the threat that they may be stolen. Also, with those items stored away, your guests won’t inadvertently mention the priceless items they have seen to others.
If you are going to be serving liquor, do it responsibly! Have a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages to offer. Serve coffee, tea and water as the party winds down. No one really needs “One for the Road.”
If a friend has had too much to drink, insist on making other arrangements for getting them home safely, or offer to let them stay overnight. Remember: Drunk Drivers are dangerous to themselves and others.
Do Not Drink And Drive Yourself! If you attend a Holiday Party and over indulged, take a cab, have someone give you a ride home, ensure you have a designated driver, or impose upon your hosts to let you stay there and rest a while. Better for you to crash on their couch than to crash into someone else.

A Word On Charities

Be cautious of those going door-to-door collecting for charities. Ask to see an ID that identifies them with that charity. Never give cash. Please report suspicious people. If your instincts tell you “something is not right,” it probably isn’t. Call 911 or our non-emergency number (206) 625-5011 to report the incident.

We wish you a happy and joyous Holiday Season. Peace, prosperity and good health to you and yours this Season and in the coming New Year.

Take Care and Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, SPD South Precinct Crime Prevention

South Precinct Newsletter - Nov 18, 2008

2008-11-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter
November 18, 2008

Dear Community Friends,

Car Prowls

Yeah, yeah, I know - you’re tired of seeing this subject. Trust me, I’m tired of writing about it. The sad reality is that we’ve seen a marked increase in the number of car prowls throughout the Precinct in recent months compared to this time last year.

Why The Increase? We have some theories:

Car prowlers are hard to catch in the act. While they occur all times of the day and night in every neighborhood, most occur during hours of darkness in areas that do not have a lot of foot or vehicle traffic at the time of the crime.
Car prowls take less time to commit than other crimes. It literally takes seconds for the prowler to see if there’s anything in the car that attracts their attention and a few more seconds to open the unlocked door or break the window to get in, get the stuff and get away.
Car Prowls are treated as misdemeanors. As car prowl is theft from a car, the crime is prosecuted as a theft, regardless of the damage done to the car in the commission of the crime. Even if an offender is caught and prosecuted, the crime is almost always prosecuted as a misdemeanor offense. That differs from burglary, which is a felony offense.
Car prowl is lucrative. Consider this:

Items most often taken in car prowls: Laptops, IPods, cash, small electronics, wallets, weapons, IDs, GPS systems.

Items most often taken in burglaries: Laptops, IPods, cash, small electronics, wallets, weapons, IDs, jewelry.

Say I’m a bad guy. If I break in to a car and get caught, I’m charged with a misdemeanor. So, why would I break in to a home and risk getting caught and charged with a felony when my take from the car is about what I’d get from the house? Just because I’m a criminal doesn’t mean I’m stupid.

Who’s Doing It?
There is no one group of people committing car prowls. They are youth who are taking a break from burglarizing homes. They are addicts looking for an easy score they can turn into quick cash for their next fix. They are transients walking through the area. They are adults. They are young people. Most of all, they are opportunists.

What Can Be Done?
Car Prowl is a prolific problem. There are things we as owners and operators of vehicles can do to prevent these crimes.

Don’t leave items of value in your vehicle. You’ve seen us write this before and we say it at every community meeting. It bears repeating because we’re still seeing this behavior; items of value in a vehicle create an opportunity for the offender to exploit.
We see reports of people who park along the lake to go walking but leave their wallets in the car. If you’re going to take a walk or run along the lake, take your wallet with you rather than leaving it in the car.
If you are going to leave something in your car, don’t wait until you park at your destination before you put stuff in the trunk or under the seat. You’ve just shown anyone who’s around that you’ve just put stuff in your trunk or under the seat.
Don’t leave accessories visible in your car. You may have taken the Laptop or IPod in with you, but if you leave the USB cables for your laptop or earbuds for the IPod in the back seat, the offender may think those items are in the car and break in anyway.
GPS systems are being taken at an alarming rate. Think about how the GPS is mounted in your car. If the mounting for the GPS is visible, the thief may think the GPS is in the glove box or under the seat and may break in to try to get it. Have a removable mounting for the GPS and put that out of sight as well.

In Problem Oriented Policing, there is the concept of the Crime Triangle. This concept basically says for criminal activity to occur, three elements need to be present: an offender, a target or victim and a place. If any one of these elements is altered or impacted, the criminal activity is impacted. If one of these elements is missing, a crime cannot occur. In our next edition, we will spend some time talking about Problem Solving and how we positively impact the elements of the triangle

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Seattle Golf Master Plan Open House

2008-11-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

Seattle Parks and Recreation is working witht he commuity to update the 1991 Golf Course Master Plan and the 2005 Economic Analysis for all four municipal golf courses. You are encouraged to come and participate in developing the future of golf for Seattle municipal courses.

The Golf Course Master Plan will address:

Perimeter trails at each golf course
Club house renovations
Electric cart barns
Tee-to-green cart paths
Driving range explanations
Maintenance facility renovations

Jefferson Park Open house will be held:

Thursday, December 4th
6:30-8pm
Jefferson Park
4101 Beacon Ave S

For more info, contact Susanne Friedman susanne.friedman@seattle.gov or 206-684-0902
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Athletics/golfcrse.htm

March for Youth Planning Meeting

2008-11-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

[Click on image to enlarge]

Join the March for Youth Group and bring attention to youth violence and the needs of families in your community!

Next Planning Meeting:
Nov 7, 2008
7-9pm
Rainier Vista Neighborhood House Paul Allen Room
4410 29th Ave S

For more information contact:
Denise Gloster
Phone: 206.795.5824 or 206.723.4637
denisegloster@yahoo.com

South Precinct Newsletter - Nov 3, 2008

2008-11-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Community Friends,

SPD Blotter

Quite often, we’ll receive calls and emails asking us about an incident that neighbors saw or heard about. “What was all the police activity about over by ……?” “Why was there a helicopter up shining a spotlight all over my neighborhood?” “What happened with that one guy who did that one thing?” (Yes, sometimes the queries are that “specific.”) We understand that you want to know what’s happening in your neighborhood. We now have a way for you to get the information that you are looking for in a timelier manner. The Seattle Police Department has launched the SPD Blotter.

The SPD Blotter went on line in September 2008. It provides a near real-time recap of significant crime events. You can review events from all over the city, or look specifically at events in the police precinct area in which you are interested. You are able to review recent events, such as significant events that happened last night or over the weekend, and there is an archive feature that allows you to review previous events detailed in the SPD Blotter.

There are a number of ways you can get the SPD Blotter:

· You can go to the SPD website and view the latest entries on our home page.

www.seattle.gov/police.

· You can access the Blotter directly by going to its specific web address,

http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/.

· You can subscribe to the Blotter so that it automatically arrives to you via email. Go to http://feeds.feedburner.com/spdblotter to sign up for this feature.

Just in case you’re wondering, the advent of the SPD Blotter does not mean we’re out of the Email Newsletter business. We’ll still be providing public safety and crime prevention information via this format on a regular basis.

Lighting and Storm Drains

You’re probably wondering what these have to do with crime prevention and public safety.

Lighting. When areas are not well illuminated, there is often a feeling that the area is not safe. Combine that with the number of car prowls that happened in darkened areas and it becomes more important to ensure that neighborhoods are well illuminated in the evening hours. If you have a streetlight that is out or not functioning properly on your block, report that to Seattle City Light Streetlight Repair at (206) 684-7056. Each utility pole has a number. When you report the malfunctioning light, give the pole number and the address nearest the pole (for example “It’s in front of 3212 22nd S”), or the nearest cross streets (“Near 22^nd Ave S & S Hanford ST”). Better street lighting contributes to a feeling of safety and it works to reduce the incidents of theft and prowling because the potential criminal is more visible.

Storm Drains. Clogged storm drains may not be a crime issue, but they are a public safety issue. Every year, we experience heavy rains in the November/December months and every year, leaves and debris clog storm drains. Streets and homes flood because there is nowhere for the massive amounts of water to go. There are things we can do to work to prevent street flooding (which impacts traffic) and water damage to homes like we’ve experienced in previous years:

1) Clean out storm drains. While you are out tending to the leaves that have fallen from your trees, take a few moments to tend to the leaves that may block storm drains.

2) If your block has storm drains that have grass and sod that have grown over them (as on my block,) contact Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 386-1800 to have clearing and maintenance performed. You can call this number for any street drainage issues, including flooding and drainage emergencies. Please don’t call 911 for flooding.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Metro Community Discussion on Transit Changes to South Seattle

2008-10-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

King County Metro and Sound Transit encourage your participation in a community discussion about possible changes to bus routes and service in southeast Seattle.

Tuesday, Oct 28
6:30pm- 8:30pm
Jefferson Community Center
(Hasselberg Hall)
3801 Beacon Ave. S..

The format of this event is as follows:

6:30- 7:00pm- Informal discussion with transit staff members
7:00- 7:15pm- Introductions and overview
7:15- 8:00pm - Small group discussions
8:00- 8:30pm- Summaries and next steps

These discussions are prompted by the fact that Link light rail service will take effect next year in southeast Seattle. Metro is considering bus service changes for several reasons:

To connect neighborhoods to Link light rail stations. Metro wants to help you get to Link for fast, reliable trips to the airport and downtown Seattle.

To avoid duplication. Metro and Sound Transit are working together to create an efficient, coordinated transit system that will serve as many people as possible. By discontinuing bus routes that duplicate Link service, Metro might be able to improve service on other routes.

To improve bus service in southeast Seattle. The upcoming start of Link light rail service gives Metro, Sound Transit, and the community anopportunity to take a fresh look at transit service in southeast Seattle. How can the future network of bus routes be set up to best serve the community?

Transit Now, the initiative to expand transit service that voters approved in 2006 will help fund the extension of Route 36 trolley bus service between Beacon Hill and the Link light rail Othello station. Other possible bus service improvements can be made only by redesigning or replacing existing bus routes.

Metro is facing financial challenges that could affect its ability to make desired changes. Metro is paying higher fuel costs and receiving far less sales tax revenue than expected, creating a strain on its budget. Metro is committed to making the best use of its funds, so it can meet the growing demand for bus service.

For more info, click: http://transit.metrokc.gov/up/sc/plans/2008/102008-sesea.html

A tabloid newsletters outlining these alternatives were sent to virtually all address in southeast Seattle, along with a questionnaire. Completed questionnaires are due back by November 6th. If you'd like to complete the questionnaire online, please do so at:

http://transit.metrokc.gov/up/sc/plans/2008/102008-sesea-quest.html

Tabloid newsletters, questionnaires, and comment sheets will also be distributed at tomorrow night's meeting.

Incentive Zoning - What will it mean to your neighborhood

2008-10-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Join the City Neighborhood Council for an evening dialogue on current proposals for enabling Incentive Zoning in residential and commercial areas outside of the downtown commercial core.
The format will be short panel introduction of key topics, followed by open discussion. The purpose of the meeting is to share a variety of perspectives on the concept of incentive zoning and the costs and benefits of applying it broadly across Seattle’s neighborhoods. Does incentive zoning produce a significant public benefit or is it a financial windfall for developers?

Incentive zoning allows significant height and density increases in exchange for a public benefit, mostly “workforce” housing in the current proposal.

Tuesday, October 21
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
West Precinct Community Room
810 Virginia Street, Seattle

Focused discussion on:
• What Incentive Zoning could look like in your neighborhood.
• What other zoning changes are coming related to Incentive Zoning.
• What is the perceived benefit of Incentive Zoning for Seattle. What is the cost of enforcement?
• What has Incentive Zoning for affordable housing produced so far for the city… a net gain or loss?
• What are the working definitions of “affordable” housing.

Invited Participants Include:
• Seattle City Council member Sally Clark, Chair of PLUNC
• Dr. Richard Morrill, UW
• Linda Amato, Chair Seattle Planning Commission
• David Bloom, Displacement Coalition
• Tom Veith, Architect, Member Historic Preservation Board
• Rick Hooper, Office of Housing
• Mike Podowski, DPD Planner
• Anna Nissan, Architect
• Other neighborhood & community leaders

Questions? Contact Irene Wall 206.784.8731 or Cindi Barker 206.933.6968

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter

2008-10-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter
October 14, 2008

Dear Community Friends,

Recent Crime Trends
This newsletter addresses recent property crimes that have been noted in the South Precinct area.

Car Prowls
We are seeing an upward trend in the number of car prowls in the South Precinct area. They seem to be up in almost every neighborhood – Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Rainier Beach, along Lake Washington, along the commercial corridors of the Precinct…. Most common items taken include backpacks, cell phones, GPS navigation systems, credit cards, cash, and IPods.

For some time we’ve advised members of the community that Car Prowl is one of the most pervasive property crimes in our region. It is also one of the most preventable: don’t leave items of value in your car. The number of backpacks, laptops digital cameras and IPods that are being left in – and then stolen from – cars, let’s us know that we need to do more to reinforce this message.

Car prowl, like most crime, is a crime of opportunity. If you remove the opportunity, you remove the crime. Removing items of value from our vehicles reduces the opportunity. Part of the response to these crimes is we as car owners doing our part. When we as car owners stop leaving our property in our unattended cars, we have less incidents of car prowl.

We are not blaming the victim. At the same time, we are saying that we need not feed the problem by leaving valuables in our vehicles in plain sight to lure potential prowlers. Let’s not make it easy for these criminals. We should do our part to reduce the opportunity for these crimes to occur. We do that by removing items of value from our car.

Burglaries
We saw an increase in residential burglaries over the warm weather months. This is not unusual. We often see a spike in the number of burglaries via unlocked /open windows during the summer because we tend to leave windows open for ventilation and then leave the home. As the weather has cooled, the number of burglaries has decreased.

Recently, we’ve noted several incidents of burglars using ladders to gain entry to unlocked second story windows. The burglars are using ladders that have been left unsecured by neighbors. An example: Mr. Jenkins had a ladder lying in his driveway, but it wasn’t locked up. Burglars took the ladder and put it up against Mrs. Johnson’s house and got in a second floor bedroom window. After they got what they wanted, they went to Mr. Santos’ place and went in a second story window there.

What You Can do

Close and lock all doors and windows (even second story windows) when you are away from home.
Please secure all tools - including ladders - to ensure they cannot be used to gain entry into your (or someone else’s) home. Use a chain and padlock to secure the ladders (not just to themselves); secure them to a post/railing/banister, etc.
Engrave your valuables with your driver’s license number so that it can be identified in the event of theft. Engraving property is also a deterrent; if thieves see the property is engraved, they are less likely to take it. For those items you cannot engrave, take a photo so you can positively identify them. This includes GPS systems, IPods, digital cameras, etc.; not just TVs, DVRs and laptops.
Whether you engrave the item or take a picture of it, record the serial number of the item for positive identification. Make an inventory list of your valuable items; keep it someplace secure.
Do not leave valuables in your unattended vehicles.
Report the crimes! We often hear that car prowls are no big deal. However, theft from a car is still a theft. Police need to know about the thefts and need to be alerted when neighbors see suspicious activity. Without that reporting, police cannot respond.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe! Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Transit Transformation Sat Oct 25th

2008-10-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

The City of Seattle is launching updates to the neighborhood plans, and three light rail stations are at the top of the list: Beacon Hill, Mount Baker and Othello. Come to a community-sponsored event to learn about the planning process and to discuss how to create vibrant successful neighborhoods at these stations.

Saturday Oct 25th
12-3pm
New Holly Gathering Hall
7054 32nd Ave S

Food, beverages, and child care will be provided!

Hosted by Southeast District Council and Greater Duwamish District Council

Click on image for agenda

Pancake Breakfast Sat Oct 18th

2008-10-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

The Beacon Hill Pedestrians is hosting a FREE pancake breakfast at El Centro this Saturday October 18th. Serving starts at 9:30 and the topic of the morning is, "What Do You Want Your Town Center to Be?"

Organized by the Beacon Hill Pedestrians and volunteers from the Beacon Hill Neighborhood. Thanks to El Centro for providing the space and Red Apple is providing ALL the food. See and hear the neighborhoods ideas from earlier meetings and a DPD sponsored design charette, along with renderings of what the Lander Street Plaza "festival street" will look like.

Bus service in southeast Seattle may change

2008-10-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

Click title to link to proposed changes to SE Seattle bus routes. Note proposed changes or deletion of route 38 (under Mt. Baker link).

Community Notification

2008-10-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

South Precinct Email Community Notification
October 2, 2008

Dear Community Friends,

Assault of A Minor Child
On October 2, 2008 at approximately 8:00 am, a ten-year old female was waiting for her bus at a bus stop near 65th Avenue South and South Ryan Street. The girl stated that while waiting for the bus, an unknown male suspect approached her from behind and grabbed her. The victim was able to break free and run away. She was uninjured during this encounter. The victim reported the incident when she arrived at school.

Officers responded to the school to interview the victim and conducted an extensive area search for the suspect. Officers conducted interviews with citizens in the area, but no one interviewed could confirm the victim’s account of the incident.

The description of the suspect is a white or Asian male, in his 30’s or 40’s, 5’9”, bald, but with dark hair on the side of his head, glasses and wearing a maroon colored shirt.

Police are actively investigating this incident. South Precinct officers have been directed to increase patrols in areas around bus stops and schools. Anyone with any knowledge about this morning’s incident is urged to contact us with any information that could lead to the identification and possible arrest of this individual. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Some Personal Safety Tips for Children
Children should remember:

No. Yell "No," as loudly as possible. This ensures that those around them know - or hear - that something is wrong.
Go. Run away from the stranger toward home, the nearest adult or neighbor the child trusts, or to a safe location (School, Fire station, maybe even a business like a grocery store).
Tell. Tell the adult they run to -- a parent, neighbor, teacher -- what happened.
Make sure your child knows another adult, besides his/her parents, whose help s/he may seek if s/he is hurt.
Teach your child to recognize the types of "low-risk" individuals s/he may ask for help if s/he is lost -- including police officers, firefighters, school crossing guards, elderly women, and women accompanied by children.
Help your child memorize his/her full name, address, and phone number.
Teach your child how to call home from a pay phone.
Make sure your child knows to call 911 in emergency situations.
Know your child's routes to and from school, play and errands. Insist they stick to the same route - no shortcuts! If you have to look for them, you will know where to begin.
Teach your children to never go anywhere with anyone without parental permission. This includes getting permission a second time if plans change and calling to check before going from one friend's home to another location.
Teach kids alternatives if they are bothered or followed on the playground, walking to friends' home, school or store. Walk common routes with your child and look for choices (back into the school, in a store or business, into a fire station, or approach someone doing yard work).
Children’s’ best defenses are their voices and their legs. Teach them to runaway from someone who is bothering them while yelling to attract as much attention as is possible. Have them practice yelling!
Teach children not to approach cars that stop to ask for help. Most legitimate adults would not ask a young child for directions anyway. If the car follows them or the driver gets out, they should run away and yell.

Visit our website at http://www.seattle.gov/police/prevention/Child/default.htm for additional child safety tips.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

North Beacon Hill Community Resolution concerning Sound Transit, adopted September 4, 2008

2008-10-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Double click the images below to view the letter of support from our state legislatures to Sound Transit regarding parking around the future Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station.

Pinata Party July 19th

2008-07-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

This year's Beacon Hill Pinata Party will be

Saturday July 19th

12-3pm

Triangle Park

(17th Ave S, Forest St & Stevens St)

This is a free block party for children and families in the Beacon Hill area. 17th Ave S along the park will be closed.

Food, entertainment, pinatas and fun! Everyone is welcome.

Want to help? Things we need are snacks to share and pinatas to hang. Picnic blankets, too!

Preliminary Schedule of Events:

Noon Franklin High School Lion Dancers

12:30 Songs by the Bay Bay Girls

1:00 Music By Lushy

1:45 Pinatas (age 10 and under) and watermelon seed spitting contents

Music by Krab Louie

In the Park......

Beacon Lutheran face painters and clwn

Mr Lieu's calligraphy

Mike Carney's Balloons

Water balloon tossing

Drawings by Aram

Climate Action Lab Event

2008-07-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

More walkable neighborhoods. Better Bus Service. Dedicated Bike Lanes. Regional Rapid Transit.

Wish we could fix our transportation system? We can!

Come to this hands-on event where you and your neighbors work with transportation experts for a climate-friendly future.

Build support for transportation improvements underway in your neighborhood.
Imagine and plan for an economical and environmentally-friendly transportation future.
Learn about key climate actions regionally and nationally.
Learn how to make your voice heard by elected officials and policy makers.

Saturday, July 12, 2008
10:00am - 2:00pm (doors open 9:30am)
New Freeway Hall
5018 Rainier Ave S.
(4 blocks south of S. Alaska)

Food and drink provided (bring your own mug!)
Free admission – Donations accepted.

Space is limited. Please RSVP on-line to reserve your spot. http://columbiacity.wikidot.com/sss:welcome

Hosted by Sustainable South Seattle

Climate Action Labs are a project of the Seattle Climate Dialogues and Northwest Environmental Education Council, with help from WSU Extension and TGreen Consulting.

Beacon Hill Community Fruit Tree Harvest

2008-07-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

The community Fruit Tree Harvest Project is organizing a Beacon Hill-based arm of the Community Fruit Tree harvest – linking Beacon Hill fruit tree owners with volunteers who live on Beacon Hill. The goal will be to deliver Beacon Hill fruit to neighborhood agencies (such as the Northwest Community food bank on Rainier Avenue). If residents can pick their own fruit, then delivery can be coordinated. If unable to pick, then volunteers can do that.

This could be a nice way to involve our older neighbors who have trees but can't pick the fruit. If you have a neighbor that would like to have their fruit picked, let Gail know. Saves them the work of cleaning up the yard as well!

I’m hoping you might be willing to help plan this neighborhood effort.

The meeting will be:

Monday, July 14
6:30 – 7:45 pm
Beacon Hill Library
2821 Beacon Ave So.
An RSVP would be helpful, but not mandatory.

If you are planning on coming to the meeting,or have other questions, please just email Gail directly.

Gail

Gail Savina, Coordinator
Community Fruit Tree Harvest
Lettuce Link at Solid Ground
206-694-6746 or gails@solid-ground.org

South Precinct Newsletter - July 7th, 2008

2008-07-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Community Friends,

Burglaries

I had been gone about four hours and when I returned home one day following an appointment. As I entered and looked at how my dining room table was out of place and the cabinet drawers were open, I thought, “I didn’t leave it like this, did I?” As I looked in my office area and found things off the shelves and on the floor, I thought, “How did this happen?” It wasn’t until I went in the bedroom and found that the jewelry boxes had been upended on the bed that I realized I had been burglarized. Forced entry through a locked rear door inside a locked fenced in yard. They stole jewelry, a laptop, my digital cable box, digital camera, cash, DVDs… and they took food out of my freezer.

It Can Happen To Anybody: Don’t Blame Yourself
I understand that queasy feeling that surfaces when you realize that your space has been violated, that someone came into your home, rifled through your dresser drawers and took your stuff. I know first hand the second-guessing, the questioning and the self-blaming. “If only I had done _____.” “Why didn’t I ______?” You have to admit, it is ironic that the crime prevention guy, the one that hammers you with home security tips, gets his place broken in to. It does go to show that; 1) it could happen to anyone, 2) If you have already taken precautions to improve home security, there may be some things you haven’t considered (the BB gun used to break the double-pane glass of the rear door was a new one for me; one that I’ve seen a few times since my burglary), and 3) further improvements could be made.

And since I know you’re wondering, I also waited 3 hours for an officer to respond. The crime was not in progress, there were no witnesses, and there was no suspect information. With other things going on in the Precinct, my non-emergency call could wait.

What You Should Do: Lessons Learned And Reinforced From Me To You

Always lock doors and windows when away from the home.
Have a home security assessment to see what you can do to improve your home security. This is a free service. Learn from my professional and (recent) personal experience.
Take inventory of your valuable items. Make a list of the items, model number, serial number and approximate value. For items that can be engraved, put your driver’s license or state ID number.
For those items that cannot be engraved, take a picture of them and have a written description of the item. Do the same with jewelry and include appraisals of the items.
Communicate with neighbors. There had been recent burglaries in the neighborhood, so alerting neighbors when an incident occurs makes everyone aware so neighbors can be more watchful.

Night Out Against Crime 2008

Speaking of communicating with neighbors, we encourage you to participate in “Night Out Against Crime 2008” on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. Night Out is a national crime prevention event designed to heighten neighborhood awareness, increase neighborhood anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities. It is a great chance to connect neighbors and share information with each other while learning more about crime prevention.

To register your block for Night Out Against Crime 2008 on line, please use the following link: http://www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/default.htm.

The 2008 event theme is partnership with the Emergency Management Office to promote the SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) program: More information about SNAP can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/programs/snap/.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Boeing Field Celebrates 80 years

2008-07-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

Time flies!
It’s been 80 years since William E. Boeing Jr. sat on his father’s lap during the 1928 dedication of Seattle’s first airport. This July he will return to King County International Airport/Boeing Field and participate in festivities to celebrate the airport’s eight decades of aviation history.

Please join us for a special ceremony with Mr. Boeing and King County officials on Friday, July 25, at 10 a.m. to honor the Boeing family for their continued support of their “hometown”
airport and the aviation industry.

Celebrate with us again on Saturday, July 26, with a day of fun for the whole family as King County International Airport hosts an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be packed with activities, including historic aircraft displays, visits to the Museum of Flight, scenic flights, and a plane pull hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. Airport tenants will
showcase their business while visitors and guests share in the memories.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/airport or call 206-205-3790.

Sharyn Parker, Noise Officer
King County International Airport
Please note Airport's new mailing address is 7277 Perimeter Road South, Seattle, WA 98108-3844

Jefferson Park Alliance Work Party

2008-06-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

The thistle and bindweed are enjoying the warm weather as much as you are. Please come help save the garden from these invaders at our monthly Jefferson Park garden work party. Bring your own gloves, favorite weeding tools and clippers.

Saturday, July 5
10an - 1pm, drop-in and do what you can
Meet at Jefferson Park view overlook (west of driving range)
Bring gloves and tools

NBHC July & August Meeting Cancel

2008-06-30T22:52:00.000-07:00

The July and August meeting of the North Beacon Hill Council are cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4th at 7pm in the Beacon Hill Library Community Room.

Saigon Nice Signs Good Neighbor Agreement

2008-06-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

On June 4th, North Beacon Hill Council board members Judith Edwards (Chair) and Amie Patao, along with John McGoodwin from the City Attorney's Office, and Lt. James Koutsky from the South Precinct, signed a Good Neighbor Agreement with the new owners of Saigon Nice at 4864 Beacon Ave S (next to the Dim Sum House on Beacon Ave S at Columbian Way). This lays out in lengthy detail what is expected of the owners, and was required in order that the city recommend (instead of oppose) the transfer of the liquor license. The new owner agreed to willingly to all the terms. Saigon Nice promises to be another great addition to Beacon Hill. They are now open for business (and the food is really good). Please consider giving them our community's support for being so amenable to the Good Neighbor Agreement, something that all but one other business that sells liquor here in North Beacon Hill has been willing to do.

King County International Airport Community Notice

2008-06-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

King County International Airport
June 13, 2008
Community Notice

Naval Air Station San Diego notified KCIA Operations about four F-18s arriving between 4-6 PM on Saturday, June 14 to conduct over-flights, arrivals and departures, and departing at 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 15.

From June 23-28, one F-21 from Norfolk, VA will visit KCIA to support the Boeing Company’s testing of its Wedgetail aircraft at Boeing’s Military Flight Center. The jet fighter will make a couple operational flights/day during business hours.

Whenever scheduled military flights are known in advance, KCIA will alert surrounding neighborhoods; however, occasional refueling stops occur by military aircraft without any advanced notice to the Airport.

KCIA is an open-access airport and must accommodate all aircraft 24/7. By Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the Airport cannot discriminate against any aircraft because it is a violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

To report noise incidents, please call KCIA’s Noise Information Line at 206-205-5242; or email KCIANoise@metrokc.gov.

Town Homes—Can the Patient be Saved?

2008-06-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Councilmember Clark hosts events to encourage good design of multi-family housing

SEATTLE — Councilmember Sally J. Clark is hosting two events to encourage good design of new town homes in Seattle neighborhoods. Councilmember Clark, chair of the Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee, said, “These meetings will be a great chance to talk proactively about housing choices, affordability and neighborhood-friendly design.”

Up until the past dozen years or so Seattle didn’t have many town homes. Seattle was mostly single-family homes with yards and apartment buildings. Growth management, Seattle’s overall attractiveness as a place to live, and cheap financing changed that. Now, Seattle has lots of town homes—the City estimates that 8,000 town homes have been built in the last eight years.

While some new town homes blend into the neighborhood or, even better, stand out as well-designed additions, others are reviled by the neighbors for mediocrity, canyon-creating fences, asphalt wastelands, and impossible to navigate garage entries. The fault lies not just with imagination, but also with Seattle’s development rules. The City can do better. These upcoming forums are the start of Councilmember Clark’s effort to improve town homes’ design.

First Forum: Courtyard Housing in Portland, Oregon, Monday, June 2, 5 p.m., City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue in the Bertha Knight Landes Room on the First Floor.

Second Forum: Town Homes—Can the Patient be Saved?, Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m., Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave

All events are free and open to the public. No need to RSVP.

Visit the Seattle City Council website at www.seattle.gov/council where you can view Council meetings in progress and access previous meetings. All members of the public may receive Council news releases by contacting George Howland Jr., Council Communications, 206-684-8159, george.howland@seattle.gov

Sustainable South Seattle Events

2008-06-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Sustainable South Seattle is a volunteer run organization working to promote sustainability in Seattle's south-end communities. We have defined sustainability as "living in a manner that allows current and future generations of all life on Earth to thrive."

Schedule of Exciting Events

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 11, 6-8PM, Northwest Environmental Education Council, 650 S. Orcas Street, Suite 220

Other events

6/7- Fruit tree mapping extravaganza-
When: 12-3:30 PM

Where: Meet at Genesee Play Field (4316 S Genesee St.) at the end of the parking lot

What: We Need volunteers to help map fruit trees in targeted areas by walking door to door, mentor youth volunteers and get us ready for the harvest season!!

6/14- Columbia city garden tour (SSS is a co-sponsors)

Also on 6/14 - Maple School Restoration Kickoff Party! Devastated by ivy and blackberry, this pedestrian corridor and greenspace is in need of some community TLC.
Get outside and join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and good ol' hands-on restoration! Bring your work gloves, comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and lunch. We'll provide tools, snacks, and extra water. You can RSVP to Bob Kelly at bkelly@nweec.org or 206-923-1980

7/12 - Climate action lab
When: 10:00am - 2:00pm (doors open 9:30am)

Where: New Freeway Hall
5018 Rainier Ave S. (4 blocks south of S. Alaska)

What: Help make South Seattle more livable, bikable, walkable, improve transit, reduce congestion, and eliminate the pollution that's causing global warming. Representatives of the City, County, and non-profits will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.

South Precinct Community Notification - May 23, 2008

2008-05-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Community Friends,

On Thursday, May 22, Seattle Police arrested a suspect in the groping sexual assault incident of May 17, 2008. This incident was the subject of a previous Community Notification. Darin L. Bolar, AKA Darran Bolar was arrested Thursday afternoon and has been charged with Assault for the May 17th groping incident, and for Robbery for taking a cell phone belonging to one of the witnesses of the assault. While Bolar was arrested for the May 17th incident, he is currently being investigated for some of the other groping cases.

Captain Liggins, South Precinct Commander, and the men and women of the South Precinct, want to extend their thanks to you all. We want to express our gratitude to members of our community for their diligence as we’ve worked to finds this individual. Alert witnesses who came forward enabled police to identify and arrest the individual.

However, the arrest of this one individual does not mean that people should become complacent and relax their awareness. As we’ve mentioned previously, one of the complications in these cases is the reluctance of many victims to speak with detectives. If anyone reading this newsletter has been a victim of one of these incidents, or knows someone who has been a victim, we urge you to speak with the detectives in our Sexual Assault Unit. Please call at 206.684.5575.

Again, we thank you for being vigilant and assisting us in apprehending suspect Bolar. We ask for your continued assistance and vigilance. We urge you to continue to be alert and aware

Stay alert. Scan your surroundings; make brief eye contact with those around you. Send the message that you’re aware of what’s going on around you.
Trust your instincts! Don’t ignore your gut feeling or early danger signals. If a situation appears unsafe, look for avenues of escape.
If possible, when on the street or out and about, travel with another person.
Listen To Your Inner Feelings And Then Act On Them. If another person makes you feel uncomfortable, give yourself permission to act. You may decide to cross the street, move to a location where there are more people, go into a store or business, or ask for help.

When taking public transportation:

Keep bus schedules of frequently traveled routes and plan ahead to minimize waiting time.
Choose the “safest” bus stop you can. Usually the best choice is a stop on a main street that is well lit with lots of traffic and people around.
Be very aware when waiting for and/or exiting a bus.
If possible, sit near the front of the bus, near or within easy view of the driver. If you are close to the driver you are less likely to be harassed. If someone does bother or frighten you with their behavior, move to another seat as soon as you can. If it continues let the driver and other passengers know.
REPORT IT! We urge anyone who has been the victim of a crime to be as forthcoming and cooperative as possible with the responding officers and investigating detectives. Any additional information can be helpful in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s) of the crime. Conversely, not disclosing information for whatever reason can hinder the investigation.

Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

South Precinct Newsletter - May 20th, 2008

2008-05-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Community Friends:

Warm Weather Security Tips

It’s that time of year that we review home security tips for the warm weather months. We do this on a continuing basis for a few reasons:

A large number of burglaries and thefts occur year-round via opened and/or unlocked doors and windows. That number dramatically increases during warm weather months because windows are left open for ventilation, even when the home is unoccupied.
Garages and storage sheds are often left opened and unattended while we’re working in our yards.
Personal belongings are often left unattended while at a recreational venue or in vehicles.

We want to reiterate some safety tips to help reduce incidents of burglary and theft.

Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened

When you are away from home, close and lock your windows. If you want to leave windows open enough for ventilation, use a dowel for sliding glass windows cut to a length that prevents the window from being opened more than four inches. For double hung windows, consider sash pins. Some windows have stops on the inside track, which prevent them from being opened too far.

Lock Your Doors

Anytime you leave your home, even if it for a very short amount of time, lock your doors. If you have deadbolt locks, please lock them.

As always, we advise that you install 3”-4” screws on the strike plates of your exterior doors. These secure the plates to the jamb and the jamb to the framing of the door. This essentially makes the bolt from the lock going into the jamb “extend” in to the frame, making a properly locked door more secure.

Working In The Yard

When working in the yard in the back of the home, do not leave your front door open and/or unlocked. If you have a garage or storage unit that is out of your line of sight, close those doors as well. Be mindful of what are you showing in plain view to anyone who may be walking or driving by.

Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended

Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain positive control over your belongings. Never leave personal belongings unattended in your vehicle. Seattle has a high rate of theft of personal property from vehicles, particularly at public parks.

Bicycles

I recently toured our Evidence Unit. One thing that struck me was the number of bicycles that we have warehoused. This photo shows just one row of unclaimed bicycles that were found or recovered that we have no way of getting back to the owner. There are another four rows of bicycles just like this one. (By the way, the small figure a couple of hundred feet in the background is yours truly.) This gives you an idea as just how many orphaned bicycles we have. Again, we have no way of returning them to their rightful owners because their owners cannot be identified.

If you own a bicycle, please mark down the make, model, model number and serial number. Keep this information on an inventory sheet. Keep the inventory sheet (which should also have information of you other valuable items) with your other important papers. Take a picture of the bike. Engrave the bike with your Driver’s license or State ID card number. An engraver can be purchased from most hardware stores (Lowe’s, Ace) for about $20-$25. And please, use a cable/chain and lock and lock up your bike.

What’s going to happen to all the bikes? Some will be donated, but most will be auctioned. Property auctions are now set up on line and operate like an eBay system. Check out www.propertyroom.com. After Propertyroom.com covers their costs, the funds from the auction go towards police pension funds.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon
SPD South Precinct Crime Prevention

South Precinct Community Notification - May 19th, 2008

2008-05-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Community Friends,

There has been another assault by “the Groper.” The incident happened Saturday, May 17th at approximately 10am on the 7500 Block of Renton Ave S. An Asian female was walking northbound on Renton Ave S with a young child, approximately two-years of age. The suspect approached the adult woman from behind. The suspect was seen groping the woman’s buttocks. The suspect backed away when the woman screamed. The scream drew the attention of several witnesses in the area. The female victim was seen running northbound with the child along Renton Ave S.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 40 years of age, 5-10, flesh colored shaving bumps on left side of face. Suspect vehicle is a 1994 green Jeep Cherokee.
The adult female victim has not yet come forward to speak with police about the incident. We very much need to speak with this woman. She is described as an adult Asian female, possibly in her 40’s-50’s, wearing a white top and black pants. She was walking with a 2-year-old child on Renton Ave S at about 10am on Saturday May 17th, 2008. If you know this woman, please encourage her to come forward. It is extremely important that detectives speak with her. Please contact our Sexual Assault unit at 206.684.5575.

Personal Safety Tips

Stay alert. Scan your surroundings; make brief eye contact with those around you. Send the message that you’re aware of what’s going on around you.
When you’re out, pay attention to the present moment.
Trust your instincts! Don’t ignore your gut feeling or early danger signals. If a situation appears unsafe, look for avenues of escape.
Know what you’re capable of doing. Are you capable of screaming, running or fighting? Have a plan! What would you do if you were attacked?
If the situation or the area is a safety concern, keep someone informed of your moves. Consider carrying a cellular phone. Also consider carrying a whistle.
Don’t take unnecessary risks. If you feel a location or a situation is unsafe – get out. If something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable, give yourself permission to do something about it. Cross the street or go into a store.
Draw attention to yourself if you’re in a threatening situation. Yell, shout, and scream. By drawing attention to yourself, you draw attention to the attacker.

Using Public Transportation

Know the bus or transportation schedule to minimize waiting times at the stop.
Avoid sleeping, cleaning out your pockets, balancing checkbooks etc. If you read, look up periodically.
If possible, sit near the front of the bus, near or within easy view of the driver.

Handbags, Other Bags, Purses & Wallets

Before you leave home, decide what you actually need to take with you rather than automatically taking your entire handbag or wallet out of habit. For example, if you are going to the grocery store for a few items, you can carry cash, a single check, or credit/debit card, I.D. and keys in a pocket.
Carry keys in your pocket rather than in a purse or handbag.
Don’t leave your valuables (bags, purses, briefcases,) unattended. We often will leave them in dressing rooms, shopping carts and cars…. Always maintain positive control over your items.

Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

June 2008 NBHC Agenda

2008-05-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

The North Beacon Hill Council meets the first Thursday of every month. The next meeting will be:

Thursday, June 5
7:00 PM
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

The Preliminary Agenda:

7:00 Hellos and brief introductions
7:10 Dan and Jennifer Jukanovich: An update on the Thursday night BBQ's for neighborhood youth and the need for volunteer assistance - food, money, attendance
7:15 City of Seattle Department of Transportation spokesperson making a presentation on residential street parking and it's implications once the new Sound Transit Station is in operation; followed by Q&A.
8:00 So. Seattle PD and/or a report from Shelly Bates, our laison to SPD
8:10 Senator Marguerite Prentice - a brief update
8:20 Representative Bob Hasegawa - a civics lesson!
Beacon Hill is divided into many districts, precincts, etc. It is confusing as to who represents us. Come learn more!
8:30 Community reports and concerns
-Garbage Cans
-Beacon Pedestrian's meeting
-Jefferson Park and the Green Parks levy
-Toxins in Jeff Park
9:00 End

CommuniChi's Veterans Program begins June 7th!

2008-05-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

We will be offering free treatments to veterans and family Saturdays btwn 1-4pm. During all other clinic hours, veterans and their family will receive a $10 discount off of our usual sliding scale of $15 to $35 per treatment.

Acupuncture improves:energy, mental clarity, sleep, memory...
Acupuncture can alleviate: anxiety, depression, hypervigilance,
flashbacks, nightmares, pain, and irritablility.....

We need acupuncturists and general volunteers. For acupuncturists or other interested members of the general public wishing to volunteer in the clinic on Saturdays, please contact Communichi. If you wish to sponsor our efforts to serve Veterans, please consider helping with the cost of needles, or let your friends know about our clinic. This will be an ongoing event.

Communichi Community Acupuncture Clinic
2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, Wa, 98144, (inside El Centro De La Raza)
www.communichi.org, 206.860.5009

Light Rail Construction Update Meeting

2008-05-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

Beacon Hill Construction Update Meeting

Tuesday, May 20
6:00pm
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

Sound Transit and Obayashi will hold a public meeting to report on construction updates and progress. At the meeting, you can find out about the following:

Video of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) hole-thru at the east portal site, signifying the completion of major mining activities
Update on the Beacon Hill Station - what really goes on behind the "blue wall"
Progress of the concrete activities underground in the two running tunnels and the Beacon Hill Station platforms
Progress of the Mount Baker Station
Roadway work in the Mount Baker Station area (S. Hanford St, S. Winthrop St., 24th Ave S.)
"Stay Safe and Sound" A safety campaign for prepration of light rail vehicle testing in the Rainier Valley

For more info, contact Jennifer Lemus (206-398-5314 or jennifer.lemus@soundtransit.org)

Beacon Hill Pedestrian Meets Thur May 22nd 6pm

2008-05-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings Fellow Pedestrians!

We've successfully held the charette with the Department of Planning and Development, and want to be able to report back to folks on the results and the next steps. So, to this end, we'll be convening at the Beacon Hill Library on Thursday the 22nd of May from 6 to 8 pm. Official start time will be 6:30 but folks who wish can come earlier and look over the enhanced design for the plaza, zoning maps and other documents. We'll have a lot of ground to cover but it would also be great to see some follow-up on some action items: farmer's market, beat walk, Beacon Boulevard to name a few. Bring a friend or neighbor and lets meet the challenges of a changing neighborhood!

Robert H
323 1792

Pinata Party - July 19th, 2008

2008-05-08T10:57:00.001-07:00

Mark Your Calendars! The date has been announced for this year's Pinata Party!

Saturday

July 19th, 2008

This annual even grows bigger and bigger every year. From a fun day of Pinatas, to a full-blown picnic with free food grilled on the spot, music, and entertainment from local schools and community organizations. More information will be announced on this blog as the planning progresses.

Pictures from the 2007 Pinata Party:

Internet Crimes Against Children

2008-05-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Community Friends -

We wanted to send you an announcement of an upcoming event in which you may want to participate.

INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN (A Must For Parents)
PRESENTER: Detective Malinda Wilson, Seattle Police Department
LOCATION: Mt. Baker Community Club, 2811 Mt. Rainier Drive South
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 12th, 7:00 pm

Facilitated by the South Seattle Crime Prevention Council and Mt. Baker Community Club

Regards,

Mark Solomon
SPD Crime Prevention, South Precinct
206.386.9766

Seattle Walks Day- Lets walk together

2008-05-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Help make Seattle the Most Walkable City in the Nation! Mark your calendar May 10th!

Saturday May 10 is Seattle Walks Day. At 10 a.m. hundreds of Seattle residents will get together with neighbors, friends and families to walk their favorite routes in your community! Sustainable South Seattle is hosting two walks.

The Bike Works Kid Bide Swap Walk
Walk with us from MLK through Columbia City to the Bike works kid bike swap at Genesee park. See one of Columbia City's coolest non-profit in action. Meet at MLK and Alaska at 10 AM. The co-founder of SSS Richard Wilson is leading this walk. For questions email richardom1@aol.com.

Mona Lee's Favorite South Seattle Walk
The second walk starts at 48th & Othello (meet there at 10 AM) and then goes north to Myrtle Street, left/west on Myrtle through the light rail station plaza, then through King Plaza to John C Little Park up through the park to Holly Park Drive. Take an immediate left up through the community garden to the Chief Sealth Trail. Go up the Chief Sealth Trail to the crest of the hill beside New Holly. Climb the first knoll to the right of the trail. Go up to the top of the knoll. There you will find a magnificent view of the Othello town Center, Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains. This could include a tour of King Plaza with all it marvelous diversity: Tammy's Bakery, the Chilnese herb store, several Asian restaurants, etc. Mona Lee (of Old Woman on a Bike fame) will lead this walk. For questions email , mona_lee@comcast.net

Clothes for rain or shine. Appropriate walking shoes. Kids welcome.

Everyone is welcome. Pass it on!

Gardening Workshop

2008-05-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

Workshop on Managing codling moth and apple fly maggot will be

Wednesday, May 7
7 – 9 pm
El Centro de la Raza - Room 307
2524 16th Ave S.

Don’t be taken aback: the building is being renovated and is covered with scaffolding, on the outside. Inside, all is normal. But park in the lot on the north side of the building (enter the lot from 16th Ave S) and enter the building through the NORTH entrance. Other doors will be locked. Walk upstairs to room 307.

Sponsored by : Community Fruit Tree Harvest & Lettuce Link at Solid Ground
206-694-6746 or gails@solid-ground.org

Lettuce Link creates access to fresh, nutritious and organic produce, seeds and gardening information for low-income families in Seattle and builds awareness about food security and sustainable food production.

North Beacon Hill Council - May Meeting

2008-04-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

The North Beacon Hill Council welcomes you to our next meeting:

Thursday, May 1st
7:00 PM
Beacon Hill Library Community Room

Our guest speaker is Council Member Bruce Harrell, who chairs the committee which oversees City Light, and already has his office working on getting our street lights replaced. At 8:00, Senator Marguerite Prentice will bring us up to date on what happened with the Legislature this term.

1st Ave S Repaving: May-Oct 2008

2008-04-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Each year Seattle's Arterial Asphalt and Concrete Program resurfaces a number of streets to improve the pavement condition, and promote smoother, safer, and quieter streets. May thru October 2008 SDOT will be resurfacing First Avenue S between S Dearborn Street and S Stacy Street, and pending City Council approval, will also repave First Ave S between S Spokane Street
and E Marginal Way S.

This project is part of the "Bridging the Gap" Transportation Initiative approved by Seattle voters in November 2006. During Construction (normal work hours being 7 am - 4 pm, with occasional night time and weekend work) you can expect lane closures, pedestrian detours, parking restrictions, and moderate construction noise and dust. SDOT will distribute regular notices with more location specific information during construction. For more information, please visit SDOT's website at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/first_ave_pave.htm

You may also contact:
- George Frost, Public Outreach Coordinator, at george.frost@seattle.gov, or (206) 615-0786
- Jessica Murphy, Project Manager, at jessica.murphy@seattle.gov, or (206) 684-0178

South Precince Newsletter - April 15, 2008

2008-04-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Community Friends:

Graffiti

Graffiti is marking, drawing, etching (or other methods) on public or private property without the owner’s permission, usually done by a person or group seeking recognition. Graffiti is a crime of Vandalism as it results in property damage. Several months ago, we reported there had been a marked increase in graffiti vandalism. Unfortunately, graffiti incidents have been on the rise, which is why we are revisiting this issue.

“Tagger” graffiti (writing the name or “tag” of the individual who put it up) represents the majority of the graffiti on our streets. However, we are also seeing increases in gang related graffiti (gangs “laying claim” to territory or sending a message to rival gangs). This increase in both tagger and gang-related graffiti has been noted city wide, not just in South Seattle. In fact, the North Precinct has had nearly four times as many incidents of graffiti vandalism in the first quarter of 2008 than the South Precinct has experienced. This vandalism occurs mostly in the later evening/early morning hours.

Most of us feel more afraid about the gang graffiti because of the intent behind it. The key is that graffiti needs to be removed regardless of it being gang related, a tag or a mural piece. It’s still property damage and needs to be treated as such. The motive behind the graffiti is not important; removing it is.

Who’s responsible for the increase? The bottom line is that graffiti vandalism is being committed by our youth, not by outsiders. Know who your children are hanging out with and when. If they are spending many late night hours somewhere other than home, find out where and ask yourself why. Know what they are doing. If your kid has several cans of spray paint, find out what they’re doing with it. Hold them accountable.

What follows are some graffiti prevention tips and resource information. This information is courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities. Seattle Public Utilities is the City agency responsible for addressing litter, illegal dumping and graffiti complaints.

Prevent Graffiti - Make your property hard to vandalize

Remove or paint over the graffiti immediately. Removing graffiti promptly is the best way to prevent it from occurring again.
Install improved lighting and motion sensitive lighting
Create barriers using vegetation or fencing to ward off potential graffiti vandals.
Use materials and surfaces that make graffiti vandalism difficult. Apply a clear coat finish to protect painted and unpainted surfaces and use protective film coverings on windows.
Conduct weekly inspections to help prevent graffiti on your property and in your community.
Move dumpsters to the ends of the alleys to reduce graffiti. Call dumpster companies and ask them to keep graffiti off dumpsters. (Their phone number is usually on the dumpster.)

Report Graffiti

If you see graffiti vandalism in progress, call 911. Graffiti vandals must be caught in the act to be prosecuted.
When graffiti appears, whether on your private property or on city/government property, make a police report. Call the Seattle Police Department’s non-emergency number, 206-625-5011.
Call the City’s Graffiti Hotline (206) 684-7587, to report graffiti on public property (street signs, retaining walls, poles, traffic control boxes, parking meters, bridges, mailboxes, etc.), or graffiti that has not been removed from private property. Be sure to indicate the exact location.
When graffiti appears on your home, apartment building, or business, take a photo of it to document for insurance purposes.

Remove Graffiti on Private Property

Quickly removing graffiti is the best way to discourage graffiti vandals. Allowing graffiti to remain invites the vandals to return and do the same to other properties in the area. Property with graffiti that is not removed in a reasonable amount of time may be subject to fines under the Graffiti Nuisance Ordinance.

Get free paint. Gray, white, or beige recycle latex paint, is distributed through the Household Hazardous Waste Program. Call (206) 386-4093 and specify the color and amount you need.

Volunteer to paint out graffiti on private property in your neighborhood. Business, community, and service groups may apply for a Litter & Graffiti matching fund grant. For more information call (206) 386-9746.

Prevent More Graffiti

It’s very frustrating to paint over graffiti on your property, only to have it vandalized again. The two best ways to paint out graffiti that will discourage further vandalism:

The BEST way - Repaint the entire wall. Or paint from the ground up over the graffiti (making a straight line across the top) with a color that matches the wall. This leaves no trace of graffiti and does not draw the attention of the vandals. This method is 10 times more effective than patching.
When it is not possible to paint the entire wall, use a closely matched color blocked over the graffiti in neat, square shapes. The closer the color match, the more effective it is in preventing further vandalism.

Resource Information

All phone numbers begin with area code (206), except where noted.

Report GRAFFITI:

in progress: 911
on your property: 625-5011
on public and private property: 684-7587
on Metro Transit property: 684-1800
on Seattle Parks property: 684-7250

Seattle Public Utilities Graffiti Rangers, and removal crews from other departments such as Transportation and Parks, remove graffiti from City property. Consistent with the Graffiti Nuisance Ordinance, the City strives to meet the 10-day timetable for removing graffiti from its property.

on City signs: 386-1206
on City bridges & retaining walls: 386-4251
on Freeways: (425) 822-4163 (WA State Dept of Transportation)
Adopt-A-Street Program: 684-7647
Free paint & removal information: 386-4093
Historic Buildings: 684-0228

Graffiti Prevention & Removal Program website:
http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Garbage/Reduce_Garbage_&_Litter/Graffiti_Prevention_&_Removal/index.asp

Online Graffiti report form: http://www2.seattle.gov/util/forms/graffiti/graffitiForm.asp

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Plant a Tree - For Free

2008-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

The Department of Neighborhood's Tree Fund is now available. The Tree Fund, a component of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, provides trees to neighborhood groups to enhance the City's urban forest. The City provides the trees, and neighbors share the work of planting and caring for the trees. Tree Fund projects are a great way to build a stronger sense of community.The Tree Fund, a component of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, provides trees to neighborhood groups to enhance the City's urban forest. The City provides the trees, and neighbors share the work of planting and caring for the trees. Tree Fund projects are a great way to build a stronger sense of community.

SDOT Reviews Residential Parking Zones

2008-04-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

Email from Seattle Department of Transportation:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is now engaged in a review of the Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) program in Seattle. The RPZ program is designed to help residents who live in congested areas by discouraging long-term parking of non-residents on residential streets. Staff is looking at all aspects of the program, including program goals, permit issuance; zone creation, and enforcement practices. This work is being done in the broader context of the city’s goals with regards to parking management, transportation, land use, sustainability, climate change, and race and social justice. Staff is also looking at best practices for RPZ programs elsewhere.

SDOT wants to hear from you about the Residential Parking Zone Program.
Here are several ways to get involved:
Fill out the survey online at www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/rpz_policy_review.htm
Check out the project web site for updates
Request a presentation to your community or business group

To learn more about the RPZ Policy Review Project, please check out www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/rpz_policy_review.htm. Sign up to be on the mailing list to be kept up to date. Any questions, contact Jennifer Hayes, the project manager at (206) 684-3025, e-mail jennifer.hayes@seattle.gov, or through the project website.

NBHC Meeting - April Highlights

2008-04-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

Around 30 people filled the Library Community Meeting room last Thursday night to listen to Councilmember Sally Clark, Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon and our South Precinct Sargeant, and Assistant City Attorney John McGoodwin.

We elected a new Recording Secretary to the Board of Directors. Welcome Patti Smith
Sally Clark talked at length about Neighborhood Plans, the committee she chairs (Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee), incentive zoning, among other things
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Officer, reminded us to continue being aware of our surroundings, lock doors and windows, and practice common sense crime prevention tactics. He also updated us that there still have been no arrests in the South Seattle attacks of Asian women mostly at bus stops, while they do have persons of interest.
Assistant City Attorney John McGoodwin updated us on the liquor license assumption by Saigon Nine of the Tan Tuu Quan tavern at 4864 Beacon Ave S. A small committee from the Council will meet with the new owners, their neighbors, and the Assistant City Attorney to negotiate a Good Neighbor Agreement in order to allow the application to pass without City objections.