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Seward Park

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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SUNDAY: Thousands Expected for Pista Sa Nayon Celebration at Seward Park

July 28, 2011

in Arts/Living

Expect heavy congestion around Seward Park and surrounding neighborhoods this Sun., July 31, as 12,000 people are expected to attend Pista sa Nayon from 9 am to 8 pm. From the organizers:

The tradition of the Pista sa Nayon dates back centuries to the rural areas and towns of the Philippines. During Pista sa Nayon (a Filipino phrase translated town festival”) Filipinos would gather for a fiesta in the middle of town to celebrate a good harvest, and it would be a time for people to focus on their neighbors, family and friends, solidifying the sense of community and hard work.

This tradition has been carried from the Philippines to America since the first large waves of Filipino immigrants arrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Festivals are held in many communities with significant Filipino American populations, such as those in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Honolulu. Even so, none has surpassed the size of Pista sa Nayon in Seattle. More.

Photo/David Mullarkey Images

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Rainier Valley Crime Watch: Police Arrest Suspect in Brutal Seward Park-Area Murder

July 27, 2011

in 911,News

Police have arrested the suspect wanted in last weekend’s brutal murder of 50-year old Rainier Valley neighbor Anthony Matthews.

Matthews was found beaten in his Seward Park-area home early Saturday morning after a known suspect attacked him before fleeing the scene in the 5100 block of South Garden Street near Rainier Avenue South. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and Matthews died at the scene.

According to SPD, the 21-year old male suspect was taken into custody south of Seattle without incident and booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Homicide.

The seattlepi.com has additional details:

The suspect, a Seattle man living most recently in Vacaville, Calif., appears to be the brother of Kenneth Harding, a 19-year-old murder suspect killed July 16 during a shootout with San Francisco police.

Kenneth Harding had been identified as a suspect in a July 13 shooting that saw 19-year-old Tanaya Gilbert killed and three others wounded. He’d previously been convicted of attempting to pimp a 13-year-old girl.

San Francisco police believe Kenneth Harding accidentally shot himself as he tried to fire a round at officers, who had wounded him in the leg during a gunfight after police tried to stop him for not paying a subway fare. More.

Photo/Will Austin Photography

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Rainier Valley Crime Watch: Man Beaten to Death in Seward Park-Area Home (UPDATE)

July 25, 2011

in 911,News

A 50-year old man was found brutally beaten in his Seward Park-area home early Saturday morning after police were called to investigate “suspicious circumstances”.

According to police, the victim suffered severe head trauma when he was struck by a known suspect who then fled the scene in the 5100 block of South Garden Street just east of Rainier Avenue South. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and the victim died at the scene.

Homicide detectives are investigating.

UPDATE (7/25/11 @ 2:55 pm): From The Seattle Times (RVP news partner):

Seattle police are searching for a “person of interest” who may have fled to San Francisco after the weekend beating death of a 50-year-old Southeast Seattle man, a San Francisco police spokeswoman said.

San Francisco police declined to release additional details about the all-points bulletin except to say it involved a person wanted for questioning in a Seattle homicide.

Seattle police spokesman Detective Mark Jamieson declined to comment Sunday evening on whether a bulletin had been issued or if detectives were searching for someone. The case remains under investigation, he said. More.

Photo/Will Austin Photography

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Save the Date: 3-Day Olmsted Park Walk Starting at Seward Park

July 24, 2011

in Arts/Living,Health & Wellness

Hearty walkers should mark their calendars for an adventurous three-day park-to-park walk Thur., Aug. 4 through Sat., Aug. 6, highlighting the historic Olmsted park plan and some improvements made possible by the voter-approved 2000 Pro Parks Levy and the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy.

The total distance planned for each day is 12 to 13 miles. Each day will begin with coffee at 8:30 am, and will include stops for lunch, afternoon cold drinks and an early dinner. The walk is free, but guests will need to pay for their own food and beverages. Although many rest stops are included, the walk pace is moderately brisk.

Parks included in Olmsted park-to-park walk:

8/4: Seward Park, Genesee Park, Jefferson Park, Cheasty Blvd, Mount Baker Park and the many other parks along Lake Washington Blvd.

8/5: Volunteer Park, Interlaken Blvd., the Washington Park Arboretum, the University of Washington campus, Ravenna Park, Green Lake Park and Woodland Park.

8/6: Discovery Park, Magnolia Blvd, Kinnear Park and Queen Anne Blvd.

Go here for more information, including full walk schedule and meeting locations. RSVP by Tues., Aug. 2, to Mari Becker at sound.steps@seattle.gov or 206-684-4664.

Photo/do communications

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THURSDAY: Last Chance to Register for Sunday’s Seafair Triathlon at Seward Park

July 20, 2011

in Arts/Living,Health & Wellness

This Thur., July 21, at 12 noon is the deadline to register for this Sunday’s Seafair Triathlon at Seward Park and ensure an Olympic Distance Race Slot. There will be no on-site registration the day of the race. From the Seafair Machine:

This year Seafair is proud to host Seattle’s best sprint course and Seattle’s FIRST Olympic distance triathlon! Spend this beautiful day in the scenic Seward Park racing your way to fitness. Our route will invigorate you and give you energy to go that extra stretch. The race kicks off at 6:30 am. More.

More than 2,000 participants are expected to descend on the Rainier Valley for Sunday’s event when Lake Washington Boulevard South from Seward Park to I-90 will be closed from 6 to 11 am, and the I-90 express lanes between Lake Washington Boulevard South and Mercer Island Closed from about 6:30 to 10 am.

Photo/Will Austin Photography

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Save the Date: “Represent 98118″ – a Day in the Life of One of America’s Most Diverse Zip Codes

July 19, 2011

in Arts/Living,News

What does it mean to live, work, play, learn and worship in one of the most diverse zip codes in the nation? A group of south-end artists are looking to find out with a community arts project designed to help describe the Rainier Valley.

On Wed., Oct. 5, Southeast Seattle neighbors are invited to participate in “Represent! 98118: A Day in the Life of America’s Most Diverse Zip Code” – organized by award-winning author Nancy Rawles, SPLAB director Paul Nelson and SIFF film programmer Maryna Ajaja:

There are many different ways to participate. If you like to write, perform, or create art, this is an opportunity to add your view and your voice to a collective “portrait” of our zip code. You will also have the opportunity to display the work you create on this secure website or in a business or organization that serves the 98118 zip code. More.

98118 neighborhoods in the Rainier Valley:

  • Brighton
  • Columbia City
  • Dunlap
  • Genesee
  • Graham
  • Hillman City
  • Lakewood
  • New Holly
  • Othello
  • Pritchard Beach
  • Rainier Beach
  • Seward Park

Photo/Represent! 98118

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SATURDAY: Seward Park Centennial to Remember Rainier District Pow Wow (1934-1991)

July 13, 2011

in Arts/Living,News,South-End Scenes

This weekend, Seward Park neighbors and community organizations are gearing up to celebrate 100 years of history with a historical festival, including 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 addition, 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 in memory of the annual Rainier District Pow Wow that ran from 1934-1991.

From HistoryLink:

Seattle’s Rainier District Pow Wow was founded in 1934 as a day-long, community-wide picnic designed to lift spirits and promote cohesion in the midst of the Great Depression. Like its cousin, downtown Seattle’s Potlatch, the event involved elements of commercialism, civic pride, family fun, and misinterpretations of Indian culture. Potlatch ended in 1941, when the United States entered World War II, but the Pow Wow continued until 1992, a mirror reflecting the changing face of the community and the world around it.

Born during hard times, the festival drummed up business for local retailers in the 1930s; prompted military themes and patriotism in the 1940s; added a “largest family” contest during the Baby Boom of the 1950s; and included a “Battle of the Bands” in the 1960s. The bathing beauty contests were dropped in response to complaints from feminists in the 1970s. The Pow Wow queen and princesses were gone by the end of the 1980s. By the time the last Pow Wow was held, in July 1991, a kids lipsync contest was on the program, along with “Karaoke video self-entertainment.” From one metamorphosis to the next, Pow Wow remained a highlight of the summer for generations of South Seattle residents. More.

Top right: Rainier District Pow Wow chairman John L. O’Brien (1911-2007) handing out swimming awards, Seattle, 1952. Lower left: Pie eating contestant at 1952 Pow Wow. Photos/Courtesy O’Brien Family Collection

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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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Food Bank Benefit Raises More Than $156,000 for Needy Families

June 29, 2011

in Health & Wellness,News,Volunteering

Last Saturday, 600 people braved the rain and cold weather to join Asian Counseling and Referral Service’s (ACRS) 21st Annual Walk for Rice at Seward Park. They also raised more than $156,000 for the ACRS Food Bank to purchase rice and other Asian staples.

“For many of our clients, the ACRS Food Bank is the one constant resource they have for nutritious, culturally appropriate foods,” said ACRS spokesperson Gary Tang. “We set an ambitious goal so that we could provide our continued level of support to our clients. We’re so grateful to the community for supporting Walk for Rice so that we can purchase rice, tofu, ramen and fresh Asian produce for our clients.  We wouldn’t be able to serve the number of people we do without their help.”

The ACRS Food Bank feeds nearly 5,000 individuals who collectively make more than 112,000 visits to the food bank each year, and is the only food bank in Washington State that distributes Asian Pacific American (APA) staples every week.

The food bank, located in the International District, distributes foods to low-income APAs and other marginalized populations on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Last year, it distributed 1.4 million pounds of food and more than 70,000 3-pound bags of rice, to individuals and families in need.

Runners starting the 2.5 mile loop at Seward Park. Photo/Luke June

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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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NOW: See Your RVP on SCAN TV

06.18.2011 Advertisement

SCAN TV recently started producing a new community blog TV show, and we’ve got your RVP’s fourth episode right here! This month, RVP Editor/Publisher Amber Campbell and host Stan Emert discussed a variety of topics, including the impending closure of a notorious Rainier Beach drug house,  Senator Adam Kline’s recent op-ed, the honoring of several [...]

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CSO Storage Tank to Go Under Seward Park; Two Opportunities for Input

05.31.2011 Development

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is planning to construct a storage tank under Seward Park to deal with what it says is about three million gallons of combined sewer overflow (CSO) that pours into Lake Washington during big storms. From SPU: Lake Washington is the number-one priority for CSO reduction, based on the volume of overflows [...]

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Welcome New RVP Sponsor: Seward Park Natural Health

05.31.2011 Advertisement

Your RVP is proud to announce our newest sponsor – Dana Kirkwood-Watts and Seward Park Natural Health: Seward Park Natural Health is the perfect destination for relaxation, rejuvenation, and rehabilitation, where massage therapist Dana Kirkwood-Watts focuses on injury treatment and prevention, chronic pain and relaxation. Dana’s motivation to become a massage therapist grew out of [...]

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Save the Date: Seward Park Trail Dedication Ceremony

05.19.2011 Arts/Living

The community is invited to join Seward Park for a trail dedication ceremony on Sat., June 4, from 12 noon to 2 pm, when the main, mile-long trail through the woods – the Spine Trail – will get a new name. Main trails will be marked with large basalt markers, much like ones along the [...]

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Happy Birthday to Us: Seward Park Celebrates 100 Years!

04.20.2011 Arts/Living
Seward park

by Paul Talbert, Friends of Seward Park One hundred years ago, a peninsula known to the Duwamish as sqebeqsed was re-named Seward Park, after Secretary of State William Seward, purchaser of Alaska. Selected for its magnificent virgin forest, the park was subjected to various other visions, as a Japanese garden, amphitheater, fish hatchery, and other [...]

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Weekend Update: Financial Fitness Day, Grand Opening of New Rainier Beach Medical & Dental Clinic + More

04.01.2011 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: First Friday music & dancing at Royal Esquire Club, [...]

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Man Accused of Trying to Lure Kids at Seward Park PCC

03.28.2011 911

KOMO: A 38-year-old man has been arrested following two incidents at a supermarket where he allegedly tried to lure two young girls from their parents. Investigators charged William Dallas with luring after two mothers came forward saying he approached their daughters at the PCC Natural Market at 5041 Wilson Ave. S in Seattle’s Seward Park [...]

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Block Watch Captain: 120 Neighbors Asked City Attorney for Help With Rainier Valley “Drug Nuisance House”

03.24.2011 Opinion

by Neale Frothingham/South Seward Park Block Watch Captain The Rainier Valley Post recently posted a story from seattlepi.com, about a 71-year old who is allegedly running a drug house in the South Seward Park neighborhood near Rainier Beach High School. In the story, the owner of the home, Sharon Stone, tells reporter Levi Pulkkinen that [...]

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Save the Date: Choose Your Own Benefiting Charity With Good Karma 5k at Seward Park

03.22.2011 Arts/Living

The Fun Run season at Seward Park is quickly approaching, and Seattle’s only choose-your-own-charity race – the Good Karma 5k – is scheduled for Sun., May 29, at 9 am. Participants select from a list of ten charities (see below) that ultimately receive 50% of their proceeds. The charity with the most participants running will [...]

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