Roughly 20 people gathered last Thursday on parking spaces 34, 35, and 36 of the Diamond parking lot at East John Street and Summit Avenue East. They gathered not in response to parking concerns but were instead focused on the idea of turning the parking lot into a community garden.The parking lot, due north and across the street from the Olive Way Starbucks, was recently purchased by Seattle Parks and Recreation Department as part of the Pro Parks Levy program to acquire green space in residential areas. The score of area residents that gathered agreed they wanted to see the property relieved of its paving and given over to community gardening.
In May of this year, Captain Paul McDonagh took on his new position as East Precinct commander, taking over from Landy Black, who took a new position in Davis, Calif., after nearly two years at the precinct. McDonagh recently discussed his position with Capitol Hill Times editor Doug Schwartz. Last week, McDonagh addressed precinct staffing levels, getting to know the community and neighborhood policing. In this, the second installment of a two-part interview, McDonagh talks about some of the issues facing Capitol Hill.What are the top issues or problems you see on Capitol Hill?In terms of the whole precinct, which is more than just the Hill, we have a couple things. For one thing, there is an issue with violent crime. Most of it is targeted crime, meaning the people involved know each other. And we're seeing a lot of gun violence, too, and that's a very high priority for me. We are going to take as many steps as we can to have a strong impact there. The other thing we're seeing is an increase in narcotic activity. I'm concerned about crystal meth. It's a strong drug and the aftermath of meth is horrific. Not just the chemical effects, not only is it messing up people's lives, but there is a large crime pattern that goes with it, goes with supporting it. A little closer to home, I think a big issue is car prowls and car thefts. We've seen an increase in that.
Aesop Rock delights the crowd from the mainstage of the Capitol Hill Block Party on Saturday, July 28. The 10th annual Block Party was the largest ever, with crowds of roughly 7,000 attending each day of the two day music festival. Musical groups ranged from Spoon to Blue Scholars to Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, among many others.
This may come as no surprise: Housing prices are skyrocketing on Capitol Hill, some rental prices are reaching stratospheric levels and numerous neighborhood residents are starting to feel the pinch - if they've stayed at all. Many have simply given up.Take, for example, Elisa Rivera. She's a bartender at the De Luxe Bar & Grill on Broadway and ended up moving to the Eastlake area last spring for an increasingly common reason. Her apartment building at East Thomas Street and Belmont Avenue East went condo. Building owners simply started gutting many of the apartments and tearing out all the landscaping.
Jack writes: At King FM you're always going on about chamber music, especially in summer. I don't get it. We all play stereos. Who actually makes music at home anymore? It's a dying art. Why should I care? You should care, Jack, because the very existence of chamber music is a sign of hope for humanity, diplomacy, tolerance, and evolution, exclamation point! Grandiose talk? Maybe, but how do you explain the armies of people - regular people - fighting to keep this intimate art around?
Dana Bedeen (left) takes on an unidentified opponent to win the first of three duels and eventually move on to the final duel in the inaugural match of the Cardboard Tube Fighting League at Gas Works Park on July 22. The event brought out about 40 people who watched and/or participated in the battles, organized by the league's founder Robert Easley (with clipboard), of the University District's Sanctuary Art Center.The next battle returns to Gas Works Park on Aug. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. (rain or shine). Participants can make their own cardboard armor and shields during a workshop the day before, also from 4 to 6 p.m. Go on-line to www.tubeduel.com for details.
Private construction activity near the Burke-Gilman Trail will disrupt both bicycle and pedestrian use of the trail between Northeast 125th and 135th streets for about 10 work days, excluding weekends, beginning Monday, Aug. 6.The paved trail will be fenced for about 400 feet north of Northeast 125th. The unpaved running and walking path along the east side of the path will remain open for use.
The numbers don't lie: The percentage of women-owned businesses - both nationally and here in Seattle - has skyrocketed. Between the years of 1997 and 2006, the number of women-owned firms in Seattle (51 percent or more privately held) has increased by almost 44 percent, with those firms last year representing 32 percent of all privately held businesses in the area.Seattle last year ranked ninth among the top 50 cities for percent share of women-owned firms among all privately held firms, and 15th for the total number of those firms. Those businesses generate some $13 billion in annual sales and employ nearly 60,000 people.
Here are the highlights for this week's Seafair blowout on Lake Washington:■ Wednesday, Aug. 1 (1 p.m.-2 p.m.) U.S. Navy Fleet Week Parade of Ships. U.S. Navy vessels will arrive in Elliot Bay at approximately 1 p.m. The public is invited to view the arrival near Pier 66 (Bell Harbor). Ship tour information is available at www.seafair.com.■ Thursday, Aug. 2 (7:15 a.m.) U.S. Navy Blue Angels ArrivalThe U.S. Navy Blue Angels will arrive at 7:15 a.m. Thursday at Boeing Field near the Museum of Flight for the KeyBank Air Show at Seafair presented by Boeing.■ Thursday, Aug. 2 - (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) U.S. Navy Blue Angels circle and arriveThe U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform circle and arrival maneuvers over much of Seattle and Lake Washington. ■ Friday, Aug. 3 - Sunday, Aug. 5 (Daily) Chevrolet Cup and KeyBank Air Show at Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane racing, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Saturday evening concert and fireworks show. Visit www.seafair.com for more information.
This week, the traffic snarls are all about Seafair, so plan accordingly.The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close all lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washington several times from Thursday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 5, to accommodate air show practices and performances by the United States Navy Blue Angels for this year's Seafair festivities.By closing I-90, WSDOT is complying with Federal Aviation Administration rules to create a safer environment for drivers and Blue Angels pilots by reducing distractions to both.
On Saturday, July 28, nearly 200 protestors gathered at noon at the intersection of Beacon Avenue South and South Columbian Way to voice their desire for U.S. leaders to improve medical care of Iraq war veterans while simultaneously ceasing funds to keep the war alive. The event was endorsed by the Iraq Veterans Against the War, the Troops Home Now Coalition, the International Socialist Organization, and Veterans for Peace chapter 92, Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War (SNOW), the American Friends Service Committee, the Seattle Green Party, SCCC Student Anti-war Collective, the Freedom Socialist Party, Stand Up Seattle, Radical Women, and Youth Against War and Racism.
RAINIER BEACH - Seafair's big weekend is upon us with the arrival of the Blue Angels, the hydroplane races at the Stan Sayers pits, and the inevitable crowds. So how does a South End resident survive the influx? Some recommend arriving early, others stay late, and some advocate getting out of town. Here are some tips from a few souls with strong Seafair experience:To get the most out of the weekend, residents need to make their decision about how they will enjoy Seafair or avoid it."I've lived three and half blocks away for 20 years and you embrace it or you leave. I've done both. You just figure out what year to do which, it's the only way to live here and enjoy yourself," said Margie Alhadess.
An unnamed girl escapes identification as she takes a leap during the cake walk at the July 21 Madrona community barbecue at the Madrona Playfield, at East Spring Street and 34th Avenue. (For more photos of summer fun, see FULL STORY.)
Historic Madison Park continues to seek new avenues to engage the public in dialogue over neighborhood improvement plans. While their efforts have yet to translate into any physical change, the group has begun distributing newsletters, surveys and seeking input from its website. It's the group's efforts, however, that have a few residents concerned. Longtime Madison Park residents Solveig Thomson and Lola McKee are questioning whether the group is getting an accurate account of what the public truly wants.
After years of what many tenants called "neglect" to the North and South Leschi and Lakewood marinas, the city has allotted $2 million for their restoration.Nearly 50 concerned marina tenants attended the Boat Moorage Restoration Project open house on Thursday, July 26. Seattle Parks and Recreation held this first public meeting to receive direct input on how the money should be used.