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Lake Washington

Seafair. South-End Style.

August 3, 2011

in Arts/Living,News,Traffic Alert

It’s that time.

Love it or hate it, Seafair is here.

The Hydroplane Races and Air Show will run Friday through Sunday from 8: 30 am to 6 pm on the shores of Lake Washington, and we’ve got your south-end shuttle information, park closures and road closures.

Shuttle to the Hydro Races – Ride a free Metro shuttle between the Othello light rail station and the hydroplane races on Lake Washington this weekend. Shuttle service to the Albert Lee Cup races will be provided Friday through Sunday from Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and S. Othello St. to Stan Sayres Pit near Genesee Park.

Seward Park Closures – In the interest of public safety, Federal Regulations require the closure of Seward Park during performances by the Blue Angels, including Thursday, 9 am-2:30 pm; Friday, 10 am-2:30 pm; Saturday, 10 am-2:30 pm and Sunday, 10 am-2:30 pm.

Rainier Avenue South = Construction-Free – SDOT’s paving contractor will “button up” their work on Rainier Avenue South and have all lanes open from Thursday through Sunday. Next week, weather permitting, the contractor plans to work on paving the section between Genesee and Alaska streets, as well as continuing work on street base repair, drainage systems and sidewalk repair.

I-90 Closures – During the practice flights and air show, all lanes and several ramps of I-90 between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island will be closed several times from Thursday through Sunday. Drivers should expect congestion and plan ahead. No stopping or parking is allowed on the floating bridge.

  • Thursday: 9:45 am –12 noon and 1:15 – 2:30 pm
  • Friday: 12:45 – 2:40 pm
  • Saturday: 12:45 – 2:40 pm
  • Sunday: 12:45 – 2:40 pm
  • In addition, the bicycle and pedestrian path on the I-90 floating bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times.

Photos/Seafair

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Save the Date: Historic Seward Park Continues Centennial Celebration

July 8, 2011

in Arts/Living

Seward Park neighbors and community organizations are gearing up to celebrate 100 years of history with a historical festival on Sat., July 16, and Sun., July 17.

Highlights for Saturday include a costumed promenade around the perimeter of the park, a classic car parade and show, historic hydroplanes on display, a vintage fashion show, food vendors and live music – all of which have a place in the park’s history.

In honor of the wildly popular annual Rainier District Pow Wow that ran from 1934-1991, the family of late legislator John L. O’Brien (“Mr. Pow Wow”) will sponsor a pie-eating contest and other old-fashioned games in his honor.

Locally renowned comedian John Keister will emcee the contests and games, and Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess will act as one of the judges.

Seward Park Clay Studio will host a ceramic art show both Saturday and Sunday, and a neighborhood garden and history tour is planned for Sunday from 1 to 4 pm ($10 in advance/$15 day of tour). All events other than the garden and history tour are free.

Did you know? In 1911, the City of Seattle bought the 277-acre Bailey Peninsula on the western shore of Lake Washington. When first suggested – almost 20 years previous – some felt that the site was too far from town. Optimists, however, correctly anticipated Seattle’s growth. Seward Park is now one of the city’s favorite parks, boasting some of the oldest and largest trees in the city.

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SPU Drilling, Testing Soil in Seward Park to Prep for Huge New CSO Storage Tank

July 1, 2011

in Development,News


Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) started preliminary drilling and geophysical work in Seward Park this week in an effort to help evaluate potential sites for a new 2.4 million gallon storage tank that it says will help control combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

The drill rig, about the size of a concrete truck, will drill a roughly six-inch diameter hole to obtain soil and rock samples to test for soil strength and rock quality, while the geophysical work will be done using small trucks and sensors to receive acoustical signals to identify the underlying soil/bedrock surface.

SPU is trying to determine which of two sites in the park are more suitable for the storage facility, either the tennis court/parking lot or the south parking lot.

Work started Mon., June 27, and will continue through next Thur., July 7.

After drilling is complete, SPU says the bore holes will be sealed with backfill or grout and patched to match the road surface.

According to SPU, the proposed facility reduce raw sewage overflows into Lake Washington, improve water quality and public safety in swimming areas and comply with federal and state water quality regulations.

Opponents of the project say that the City can’t afford such an expensive water-quality project at this time.

Photo/do communications

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Rainier Valley Weekend Update: BeatWalk, Bicycle Sunday, Historical Society Tour + More

June 30, 2011

in Arts/Living

See our Big Dates Page – the only comprehensive calendar of events in all of southeast Seattle – for more information on these and other south-end gatherings, events, meetings, groups, etc. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of what’s happening around the community this weekend…

Friday:

  • BeatWalk, Columbia City
  • First Friday music & dancing at Royal Esquire Club, Columbia City

Sunday:

  • Bicycle Sunday, Lake Washington Blvd.
  • Rainier Valley Historical Society guided walking tour, Columbia City

BeatWalk – hosted by local businesses and highlighting the diversity of the Rainier Valley community through music and entertainment – continues its 16th season this Fri., July 1, from 7 to 10 pm. Photo/BeatWalk

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Weekend Update: Columbia City Street Scramble, Community Farm Grand Opening, Bicycle Sunday & More

June 24, 2011

in Arts/Living

See our Big Dates Page – the only comprehensive calendar of events in all of southeast Seattle – for more information on these and other south-end gatherings, events, meetings, groups, etc. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of what’s happening around the community this weekend…

Friday:

  • MLKBA Networking Event, Rain-King

Saturday:

Sunday:

  • Columbia City Cinema garage sale, Columbia City
  • Bicycle Sunday, Lakewood/Seward Park
  • Street Scramble, Columbia City
  • Beacon Rocks! Summer Music Series Event, Beacon Hill

This Sunday, bicycle or walk along Lake Washington Boulevard south of Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park’s entrance while it’s closed to motorized traffic from 10 am – 6 pm.

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THURSDAY: Public Meeting on Protecting Health of Lake Washington; Rainier Beach Construction Planned for 2013-14

May 24, 2011

in Public Service Announcement

The community is invited to join Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) for a public meeting on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) and Lake Washington this Thur., May 26, 6 to 7:30 pm, at Rainier Beach Library (9125 Rainier Ave. S.). From SPU:

During heavy rains, the combination of stormwater and sewage may exceed the capacity of the system and overflow, causing a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). Reducing CSOs will protect Lake Washington and make sure Seattle complies with federal and state water quality regulations.

SPU has identified potential CSO reduction projects in your area, including upgrading an existing Pump Station near Pritchard Island Beach Park and constructing a new sewer pipe along 52nd Avenue South & South Henderson Street. Construction of these projects
is planned to begin in 2013- 2014.

The meeting will provide additional information and gives you the opportunity to ask questions. More.

Pritchard Beach. Photo/do communications

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Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon Approaches Sell-Out; More Than 28,000 Expected to Run/Walk Through Rainier Valley

March 29, 2011

in Arts/Living,News

Seattle’s 3rd annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & Half-Marathon is coming up on Sat., June 25, when more than 28,000 participants are expected to run along Lake Washington through the Rainier Valley on their way from Gateway Center in Tukwila to Qwest Field in downtown Seattle.

The race benefits the American Cancer Society and was sold out by the first week in April last year.

Along each mile of the 26.2 and 13.1 mile courses, live bands will entertain the crowd while motivating runners as they push through the distance. Participants will then join friends and family to celebrate at the finish line festival, complete with a beer garden and headliner concert outside Qwest Field.

Registration is available online at Competitor.com and is on pace to sell-out quickly. Anyone planning to run the full or half-marathon is encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

“It’s a real testament to the success of the first two years of Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle,” said Event Director Zoe Griesbach. “We’re proud to see so many runners returning each year and we hope to continue to build on the excitement surrounding the event.”

Last year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon was sold out by the first of April. Photo/Will Austin Photography

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Save the Date: Lake Washington Needs Your Help

January 5, 2011

in Public Service Announcement

fall lakewood birds in water

Did you know that, during heavy rain, pipes that carry both sewage and storm-water overflow into Lake Washington, causing a combined sewer overflow (CSO)?

CSOs happen frequently near Seward Park and Martha Washington Park. According to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), in 2009, those outfalls overflowed 27 times, pouring 8.5 million gallons of combined sewage and stormwater into Lake Washington. The overflows happened after as little as one-half inch of rain.

SPU is working to reduce CSOs to protect human health and the environment and to comply with state and federal regulations.

The North Henderson CSO Reduction Project will reduce the amount of untreated sewage and polluted stormwater that is overflowing into Lake Washington at these locations. Your input is needed to develop solutions that consider community preferences.

Learn more at a workshop on the North Henderson CSO Reduction Project on Wed., Jan. 19, 6-8 p.m. at the Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S.) For more information, call 206-826-4767 or e-mail SPU_HCSO@seattle.gov.

Photo/Leilani McCoy

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Holiday Update: Celebrate the New Year Close to Home

December 30, 2010

in Arts/Living

See our Big Dates Page – the only comprehensive calendar of events in all of southeast Seattle – for more information on these and other south-end gatherings, events, meetings, groups, etc. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of what’s happening around the community this weekend…

Thursday:

  • Urban Vines Champagne and sparkling wine tasting, Mt. Baker

Friday:

Saturday:

  • Annual Polar Bear Swim, Mt. Baker

Join your neighbors for a fun, family-friendly potluck New Year’s Eve celebration at Lakewood Seward Park Community Club (4916 S. Angeline St.) on Fri., Dec. 31, from 7 pm to midnight. More.

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SPD Investigating THREE Attacks on Women at South-End Parks

December 9, 2010

in 911,News

There have been two very well-publicized attacks on women in south-end parks in the past two months, including one at Seward Park in October and another just this week in Colman Park in Mt. Baker, but it turns out there have been no less than three random attacks on women in just two months.

On October 26 – just two weeks after the Seward Park attack – a woman was walking her dog on Lakeside Avenue South, just north of South Day Street under the I-90 bridge, when an unknown man approached her and repeatedly asked her something unknown in Spanish.

The woman, who did not understand, told the man “No,” several times before walking on while talking on her cell phone.

According to the police report, the suspect continued to follow her and block her way. When she refused to stop, he grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her under the freeway and towards the trail/stairs to the East Portal Viewpoint.

She pushed him away, but the suspect grabbed her by the shoulders and attempted to pull her off the sidewalk; she shoved him off while screaming as loudly as she could.

The man then took something out of his pocket and struck the woman on the head with it before fleeing. The woman sustained a cut to her left temple area, and was treated on the scene by medics.

An area manhunt, including K-9 units and multiple patrol cars, was unsuccessful, and the attacker remains at-large. No description was available.

The location of the Oct. 26 attack is just two blocks of Colman Park where a jogger was grabbed from behind on Tuesday, and three-and-a-half miles along the Lake Washington shore from where a Seward Park jogger was attacked on Oct. 11.

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Welcome New Sponsor: Seattle Public Utilities CSO Reduction Program

November 7, 2010

in Advertisement,Support Our Sponsors

Your RVP is happy to welcome our newest sponsor – the Seattle Public Utilities CSO Reduction Program – working to reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) in Lake Washington:

Lake Washington is the number-one priority for CSO reduction, based on the volume of overflows and the potential for improved stormwater quality. In particular, three basin areas – Windermere, Genesee and Henderson – require quick attention to cut the volume of overflows. Together, the three basin areas account for the majority of uncontrolled discharges into the lake, totaling an average of 24 million gallons annually. The most effective way to cut that volume is to construct additional storage facilities that can hold excess stormwater and sewage, preventing overflows.

To that end, the community is invited to join SPU’s CSO Reduction Program for a series of three workshops to explore options for reducing the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the North Henderson basins. The workshops will be progressive, so you should plan to attend all three if possible. Each will be held at the Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S.) in Columbia City, from 6 to 8 pm, and are designed to help you:

  • Learn about methods to reduce CSOs
  • Explore the options
  • Ask questions and provide your input

The workshops are scheduled for:

  1. Thur., Nov. 18, 2010
  2. Tues., Dec. 14, 2010
  3. Wed., Jan. 19, 2011

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Breaking: Jogger Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man at Seward Park; Suspect at Large

October 11, 2010

in 911,News

A 55-year old woman was attacked tonight while jogging in Seward Park.

The woman was on a wooded trail at about 6:30 pm when a knife-wielding man – described as a black male, 18-30 years-old, with short hair and a “baby face” – grabbed her, threw her to the ground and punched her several times.

Police say the suspect ran off into the park after she fought back.

According to KOMO:

A passerby found the victim barely conscious near the fish hatchery at the north end of the park and called 911.

Officers responded and set up containment in the park.  A K-9 unit and Guardian One also responded. As of this posting the suspect was still at large.

The victim, a woman 55-years-old,  was treated at the scene and transported to an area hospital for her injuries.

Photo/Will Austin Photography

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Cool, Cloudy Seafair Weather Trims Crowds, Arrests

08.09.2010 News

Seattle Times (RVP news partner): A daylong rain Saturday and cool, cloudy weather Sunday kept the crowds down for the final weekend of Seafair. It also reduced the number of boaters on Lake Washington arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. On hot, 80-degree days during past hydroplane-race weekends, as many as 148 boaters [...]

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Seafair Scenes #3: The Blue Angels Are HOT!

08.02.2009 Arts/Living
7-30-151

Seattle Times: The sweltering heat has dissipated and conditions for the final Blue Angels air show over Lake Washington at 1:30 p.m. today might be perfect. The forecast calls for clear skies and warm but bearable temperatures in the 80s. The I-90 floating bridge will close at 12:45 p.m. and reopen two hours later for [...]

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Seafair Scenes #2: Sun-Deprived Seattleites Turn Out to Get Their Seafair On

08.01.2009 Arts/Living
7-30-068

Compared to the relative calm seen on Friday, the waters around Seward Park began to fill with boats of all shapes and sizes on Saturday as Vitamin D-deprived Seafair fans came out in droves to get their sun on. Photos/do communications, inc.

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Seafair Scenes #1: Calm Before the Storm

08.01.2009 Arts/Living

If you’ve ever wondered what Seafair looks like from the water, take a peek at the calm before the storm in this video clip shot Thursday night as the party on the log boom was just thinking about getting started…

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Seward Park Drowning Victim Identified; Death of Monday’s Floater Called “Suspicious”

07.30.2009 911
7-25-0211

The King County Medical Examiner’s office has identified the man who died in Lake Washington on Tuesday morning as 78-year old Joseph Voss. Voss was swimming in Andrew’s Bay off Seward Park with his wife when he disappeared. She reported him missing around 9:30am. Divers from Seattle marine units searched the area and recovered the [...]

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Blues Bring Big Week to Boeing Field

07.30.2009 News
tt072709ph2.ashx

From King County: When the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron takes to the air over Lake Washington each summer for the Seafair air show, thousands of spectators marvel at the precision of their airborne maneuvers. But, the split-second timing and attention to detail are not just limited to the skies. Similar logistics are [...]

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Unlikely Accident: Boat vs Car in Lake Washington

06.21.2009 911
carwater

No one was injured Saturday afternoon when a Lake Washington boater struck a Dodge Neon in the water off the Atlantic City boat ramp in the 9000 block of Seward Park Avenue South. Seattle Police Department (SPD) harbor and patrol units responded to a report of a vehicle in the lake at approximately 3:45 p.m. [...]

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