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South Seattle

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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‘Person of Interest’ in Rainier Valley Woman’s Murder Killed in San Francisco

July 17, 2011

in 911,News

KOMO:

A 19-year-old man shot and killed by police officers in San Francisco Saturday was a “person of interest” in the recent fatal shooting of a pregnant woman in [Rainier Beach], San Francisco police said Sunday.

The man was shot by officers when they tried to question him on one of the city’s light rail platforms, according San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr.

They briefly detained the man, but officers say he bolted while firing several shots in their direction. More.

Photo/Will Austin Photography

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GIVE: City Fruit Needs Volunteers and Fruit Trees for Upcoming Harvest

July 17, 2011

in Volunteering

Looking to get involved? Our Give Page is the only comprehensive listing of volunteer opportunities in the Rainier Valley. Designed to link neighbors with local volunteer opportunities, this is the place to start if you’ve got time and/or financial resources and a desire to help improve your community.

From City Fruit:

Every year in August and September, Seattle sidewalks and yards are littered with perfectly good fruit dropped from residential trees that no one was able to harvest.  Meanwhile, some of our neighbors face persistent food insecurity and poor nutrition from lack of fresh produce.

City Fruit harvests fruit from residential trees in South Seattle and donates it to local organizations serving people in need. City-grown fruit is an important resource that needs to be stewarded and used to feed people our community.

City Fruit is now gearing up for the 2011 harvests, and there are three ways you can help:

  • Volunteer to help harvest. This is a fun, social, volunteer opportunity—great for families and everyone else! The time commitment is flexible, since harvests happen daytime, evenings, and weekends, and you can sign up the week before a harvest. All new and returning volunteers should attend the Volunteer Info Meeting on Tues., July 19, 6:45-7:45 pm at the Columbia City Library. If you cannot make the meeting, contact info@cityfruit.org.
  • Donate your fruit. If you have a fruit tree that you can’t harvest or use all of the fruit, City Fruit can harvest and donate the fruit. Volunteers typically leave a small box of fruit for the residents, and you can help harvest if you’d like. You can also harvest your own tree and donate the extras yourself—find a list of donation sites on the City Fruit website at www.cityfruit.org.
  • Become a member. It costs about $1 to harvest one pound of fruit, so the support of members is critical. Members receive one free class and $5 off additional classes. Joining online is easy and secure using Paypal.

Volunteers and fruit tree owners can contact the harvest coordinator at info@cityfruit.org. The South Seattle harvest is south of I-90 and east of I-5, up to the City limits.  Other organizations harvest in other parts of Seattle. If you live in another part of Seattle, contact the Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org to have your tree harvested.

Photo/City Fruit

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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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1-5 Gets Smarter Starting Today

August 10, 2010

in News,Transportation

The first set of ‘Smarter Highway’ signs on I-5 will go live today.

You’ve likely already seen the new square, electronic screens on northbound I-5 heading into Seattle. They will automatically alert drivers to change lanes when an incident blocks traffic or to adjust their speed before reaching slower-moving traffic.

“We’re asking drivers to get familiar with Smarter Highways ahead of time so they know what to do when the sign above their lane shows a yellow arrow or a reduced speed limit,” said Patty Rubstello, WSDOT Systems Engineer. “This is new technology for us and the United States, so we know it will be a big change for drivers.”

Overhead, electronic signs will automatically alert drivers to change lanes when an incident blocks traffic or to adjust their speed before reaching slower-moving traffic. The new signs will help reduce rear-end collisions, allow for earlier escape to alternate routes and smooth lane shifting caused by incidents like stalls or collisions.

Drivers will eventually use Smarter Highways on three of Washington’s busiest corridors, including Northbound I-5 between Boeing Access Road and I-90, SR 520 between I-5 and 130th Avenue NE in Bellevue, and I-90 between I-5 and 150th Avenue SE in Bellevue in spring 2011.

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