Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery job fair today, Tuesday

Today, Tuesday, January 31st, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery will host a job fair at the site of the new neighborhood brew pub on Lake City Way.

From the brewery:

We are in the final phases of our build-out of the Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery in the heart of Lake City and looking for some great folks to come and work with us. We are beer-centric, community-minded, and driven to provide a great value and experience for our guests. If that's you -  let's talk. At this point we are looking to fill all Front and Back of the house hourly positions. We do not have any openings in the Brewery. 

 More info on the Lake City Live blog.

Coming February 11, Neighbor Appreciation Day

On Saturday February 11th Seattle will mark the 18th annual Neighbor Appreciation Day. The day prompts neighbors to reach out, create new bonds, and express thanks to those who live or work around them.

The event started in 1995 when Mayor Norm Rice proclaimed that the Saturday before Valentine's Day would be a day to honor neighbors. The observance has grown every year since.

Here are some of the ideas from the city website for Neighbor Appreciation Day.


Join in a neighborhood service project:

• Clean up a nearby park: Contact Seattle Parks and Recreation for information at (206) 684-8028 or email ParksVolunteer@Seattle.Gov
• Paint a fence, rake leaves or other yard cleanup - especially of a senior adult or disabled neighbor
• Plant a tree or some native plants
• Build a garden box for this spring's plantings
• Clean up a sidewalk for an easier walking path
• Work with a local school or non-profit organization
• Have a neighborhood clean-up

Organize a neighborhood event:

• Organize a Block Watch, a program of Seattle Police Department: Click here for tools and information.  
• Hold a neighborhood  food or clothing drive
• Have a neighborhood BBQ, potluck, pancake breakfast or spaghetti feed
• Organize a SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepared) meeting. Click here for tools and information.
• Organize a game or sporting event
• Have a block party
• Invite neighbors over for dessert
• Have an emergency preparedness meeting with your neighbors
• Organize a neighborhood rummage or garage sale

Other Possible Ideas:

• Go for a bike ride with your neighbor and check out the local scenery
• Stop by your local Fire station and meet the crew.
• Find other neighbors who play instruments and play music or start a band
• Go for a hike with some neighbors
• Hold a voter registration drive
• Have a progressive event: do a progressive dinner or a progressive work party
• Have a cookie exchange or dessert party
• Hold a 'Stencil a Storm Drain' party.  Click here for more information.
• Hold a bake sale for charity or to raise money for a neighborhood project
• Visit your local park with a neighbor
• Have a treasure hunt in your neighborhood
• Have a book exchange

Historical photos: Shuttered Lake City businesses

As discussion begins to build about redevelopment of parts of the Lake City core and the possibility of redevelopment with community input, we wanted to share a pair of photos of long-shuttered businesses that used to be a part of our neighborhood.

The core area of our neighborhood used to feature a movie theater and at least one bowling alley. As interests changed and business models evolved, the businesses featured below were shuttered. It is unknown if either business would be successful in today's marketplace of Xbox 360 and home theater systems. But an community-oriented entertainment element to the neighborhood would likely be welcome.

Lake City movie theater on NE 125th Street shown in 1946. Photo courtesy Seattle P-I archive

The old movie theater is now the Seattle Mennonite Church

Lake City Bowl shown in 1946 at the corner of Lake City Way and NE 123rd Street. Courtesy Seattle P-I archive

The old bowling alley is now the Interior Floor Designs building.

Funding restored for City Attorney's Precint Liason program

Beginning in mid-Feburary the North Precinct will again be assigned an assistant city attorney to help address community concerns, allowing police to concentrate on criminal activity. The federal grant for the program ended and cuts at the city level shuttered the program in 2011.

But the city has restored funding for four attorneys in the city's five precincts.

Our assigned North Precinct City Attorney will be Jana Jorgensen. She will be available at (206) 684-7765.

From the Seattle Times:

City Attorney Pete Holmes is calling the retooled program Precinct Liaison 2.0, to reflect its broader focus, not just to provide legal advice to police but to serve as a resource to neighborhoods facing chronic problems such as drug and gang activity or nuisance properties.

 Holmes said the city liaisons, who will begin their jobs in mid-February, will work closely with other city departments to address community concerns, allowing police to concentrate on criminal activity.

Nuisance Behaviors, Chronic Public Inebriety, and Alcohol Impact Areas

A common denominator to many of the nuisance behaviors occurring in our neighborhood is alcohol - particularly the public consumption of cheap, high alcohol content beverages by people suffering from Chronic Public Inebriation (CPI). These nuisance behaviors are having a significant negative impact on our community's quality of life. They affect how our business district and public spaces are perceived, used, occupied, and developed by ourselves and others.

This is not unique to our neighborhood. Other neighborhoods that have this ongoing problem have worked with the city's Department of Neighborhoods, the Seattle Police, and the Liquor Control Board to put in place what is called an Alcohol Impact Area (AIA). The intent of an AIA is to limit the supply of cheap, high alcohol content beverages to people suffering from CPI, which reduces liquor violations and the associated nuisance behaviors in our public spaces.

Attempts were made in the past to put in place Good Neighbor Agreements with some of the businesses that sell these cheap, high alcohol content beverages. This is a voluntary program worked out between them and the North Precinct. The GNAs were attempted 5 years ago as a way of solving the liquor / CPI / nuisance behavior problem prior to creating an Alcohol Impact Area which makes compliance a condition of the liquor license. The voluntary compliance has not worked.


There is enough data collected from other communities that have put AIAs in place to show that they are effective tools for reducing CPI related nuisance behaviors - in some cases by at much as 80% . One of the requirements prior to establishing an AIA is 18 months of data prior to creation and 18 months of data after for statistical comparison. The city has the prior data available already, as shown on a previous post on liquour violations.


Councilmember Richard Conlin will be at the North District Coucil meeting this Wednesday. He has made statements in favor of these as tools for not only helping people suffering from Chronic Public Inebriety, but also helping neighborhoods improve their quality of life.


The topic of AIA / CPI will also be an important issue to address when the next speaker at the meeting - Marty Curry - introduces the start of a study of the Lake City Hub Urban Village by UW students on behalf of the Pierres' project to redevelop 14 acres in the area.


Here is a list of the banned products. There have been requests that other products be added to the list, particularly the ones similar to Four Loko. There is also discussion about making a more general rule for determining what should be on the list. The problem is that the manufacturers just make products with new names to avoid the ban.


How this would impact Elliott Bay Brew Pub's selection? It won't. Is it fair to limit access to certain types of alcohol? The answer to that depends on how you perceive the relationship between these products, the people who consume them, the public conduct of people under the influence of these products, and the impact of their behavior on our community.


A bigger question is what will things look like when this happens?

Pothole rangers tackle 125th moonscape

Pothole Rangers work to fill potholes on NE 125th Street.

The street is shown before the crew arrived

Seattle's Pothole Rangers filled part of the moonscape that NE 125th Street had become after our recent winter storm.

A crew of three City of Seattle workers worked at a fast pace as they were observed filling the holes on the eastbound lanes of the road Friday.

The city said they had dozens of reports about the potholes, many likely from DPC neighbors. The dangerous craters forced cars to veer into the bicycle lane or turning lane to avoid them.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn earlier this week announced that the city was working to fill holes withing three days of a report.

The rangers have their work cut out for them as our city's aging infrastructure took a beating from the recent winter storm.

To report a pothole you can use this easy online form.

DPC_Survey_002 results

Here is my cobbled together graphic showing responses to the survey.  It looks like it was Mr. Plum in the library with a candlestick : )

Looks like Monday night works best. We'll look for a venue that can accommodate kids too. The topics of discussion look like they will be Nuisance Behavior and Drug Houses.....

LC Shelter - Meeting Minutes from 1/10/2012

A few things to note while reading this. The Mennonites ( acting as the Lake City Taskforce on Homelessness  and representing a number of other churches and non profit organizations in the area ) initiated UGM coming to Lake City through a  a letter sent to the Mayor on April 12th, 2011 requesting that the Fire Station 39 be kept open after Nickelsville vacated the building. They claimed the Nickelsville tenure proved to the local community that "when people are provided with shelter, they become very good neighbors" and that a there was an ongoing need to provide shelter for "people who are homeless in our neighborhood." 


Many of the long term homeless in Lake City have not been using the shelter ( as indicated in the minutes ), but the numbers show there are people staying there. Recent meetings have revealed that UGM is accepting referrals from the police, Harborview, and Northwest Hospital. This goes against the original statement ( from UGM Mike Johnson ) that they would only be serving the local homeless population. 

Mike Johnson of UGM also stated that anyone intoxicated would be turned away and that anyone with substance abuse issues would be referred to the downtown facility. This set of minutes documents one guest who they admit giving shelter to while he is intoxicated. 

UGM notes that the biggest homeless substance abuse issue in this area is alcohol. 

There have been discussions about at what point these services start having a negative impact on our community. The organizations provide services that attract people who are in need, but are not responsible for their public behavior. This presents a problem for a community that prides itself on showing compassion for those less fortunate and at the same time struggles to create a safe and healthy place to work, recreate, shop, and raise a family. 

( To be fair, there are other "goods and services" provided in this community that detract from our goal too - some that have a direct link to the nuisance behaviors that make reaching our goal so challenging. )

Lake City UGM Shelter Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

1/10/2012

1. Call to order

Paul LaRose called to order the regular meeting of the Lake City Shelter Advisory Committee at 4:04pm on 1/10/2012 in the Lake City Community Center Meeting Room.

1. Roll call

The following persons were present: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Paul LaRose
• At Large Business Member – Suzy Smith
• At Large Resident Member – Janet Arkills
• At Large Resident Member – Chuck Dickey
• Mennonite/Lake City Task Force on Homelessness (LCTF) – Melanie Neufeld
• At Large Business Member and Resident – Annie Stocker

The following persons were absent: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Terry C. Pallas 
• Cedar Park – Elena Earle
• Lake City Development Council – Joe Simmons
• North Council – Cheryl Klinker 
• UGM Shelter guest - (not yet determined)

1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Suzy Smith motioned to approve minutes, Annie Stocker seconded. Minutes from 1/3/12 were approved.

1. SUGM Statistical Report

UGM Representative Paul asked if participation by a UGM guest on Advisory Committee is still desired. Several Committee Members indicated yes, requested guest have established history in Lake City. Various options discussed; difficulty expressed in finding LCShelter guests high-functioning enough to participate effectively and/or that have established history in Lake City.

• 163 registered guests to date 
• Meals served from Jan. 1^st- Jan. 9^th  is 1,152 (128 meals a day average)
• Bed nights from Jan. 1^st- Jan. 9^th  is 487 (44 men average, 9 women average) 
• No new sign-ups for recovery program (2 to date)
• UGM Rep. Paul reported: Steve & Sheri were staying at LCShelter for a couple weeks. Steve found a job and was able to find an apartment, but was short $175 on first, last and security deposit. Paul referred Steve and Sheri to the Mennonite Church for financial help. Mennonite church donated money and Steve & Sheri are now in an apartment.

1. Community Check-In

Committee Member Suzy reported:

1. Met with two LC police officers, both report seeing a lot of brand new faces in Lake City, particularly more homeless with mental/substance abuse issues. Indicated “usual” Lake City homeless not taking advantage of LCShelter.

Committee Member Annie questioned Mennonite/LCTF Rep Melanie, re: Given knowledge of “local” homeless, what percentage of them are utilizing LCShelter?  Discussion followed in which no two Advisory Committee members agreed. Estimates ranged from 10% - 60%. (Discussed use of LCShelter ranged from overnight stays to food/clothing services.)

Discussion ensued, re: Is increase in loitering in business areas due to new people coming in for shelter services? Various opinions expressed, including:

• Mennonite/LCTF Rep Melanie believes it is only local Lake City homeless.
• Committee Member Suzy suggested speaking with LC police, said police identified new group of very aggressive young people. Requested documentation of increase in homeless arriving in Lake City, noted they were not coming from Tent City #3 as expected, but coming to LC via referrals. 
• UGM Rep Paul verified LCShelter is receiving guests referred by Seattle Police, Harborview, Northwest Hospital, and many from word of mouth.

Discussion ensued, re: Why would Harborview refer homeless to Lake City, particularly lacking transportation?  Key points included:

• UGM Rep Paul stated he did not know. Upon receipt of phone referrals from Harborview or other organizations, he states that referred person is welcome, as long as referred person is not a sex offender, has state-issued I.D., and can transport him/herself to LCShelter.
• Committee Member Janet noted both Seattle City officials and UGM Rep Mike Johnson promised LCShelter would address homeless issues within Lake City and would not bring homeless to LC from other areas. Asked how hospitals know to refer homeless to LCShelter?
• UGM Rep Paul guaranteed that UGM has not solicited referrals.
• Did LC TaskForce on Homelessness solicit referrals? 
• Mennonite/LCTF Rep Melanie stated several members of Mennonite congregation are nurses and may be spreading the word. (*Follow-up email noted one Mennonite church member working at Harborview’s Mental Health Center may account for some referrals from Harborview.)

Discussion ensued, re: Why are homeless at Harborview not being referred downtown? Are the city, the churches, and UGM spending money to transport homeless?

• UGM Rep Paul said no; noted UGM gives bus tickets to LCShelter guests who have appointments, medical needs, or are working.  Guests also receive a free bus ticket as reward for participating in litter pick-ups. 
• Committee Member Chuck requested Paul find out re: transportation, why Harborview is referring to LCShelter. Several committee members agreed - would like more info. 
• Paul noted LCShelter has sent some guests to Harborview. Ex: Had one extremely disturbed guest threatening suicide, harm to others. LCShelter called police, guest was taken to Harborview. Noted that LCShelter is a temporary shelter, not equipped to treat people. Guests are welcome if able to function in a community environment. If unable to function in community, LCShelter staff try to redirect guests elsewhere.

Discussion ensued, re:  Does the Mennonite Church and LC Task Force on Homelessness recognize negative impact on Lake City core? Will future referrals stop? Various opinions expressed, including:

• Mennonite/LCTF Rep Melanie asked if the impact has been negative.
• Committee Member Suzy, expressed appreciation for UGM’s responsiveness. Stated that LCShelter has not helped LC business core, image, or reputation. Expressed concern regarding future development.
• Mennonite/LCTF Rep Melanie suggested LC’s image can be seen as being compassionate.
• Committee Member Suzy noted Lake City is at tipping point, reiterated concern over future development.
• Committee Member Janet shared example of Maple Leaf resident overwhelmed by loiterers while patronizing Papa Murphy’s. Maple Leaf resident asked Janet what’s going on in Lake City that loitering has gotten so bad?
• Janet suggested conducting survey as way to measure impact of LCShelter.  Proposed theory that some local LC homeless have been helped, but LCShelter has also brought in new groups causing new problems.  Noted that Lake City has swapped out part of an old problem for a new set of problems.
• UGM Rep Paul agreed that was valid impression. Noted he is working to keep LCShelter a Lake City facility, but indicated conflict with UGM’s policy. SUGM’s policy is to not turn anyone away.

Committee Member Chuck reported:

1. Disturbances of one homeless woman, Cindy (screaming, vulgar language, other behavior) in front of Post Office. 

Discussion ensued, re: Cindy:

• UGM Rep Paul said Cindy doesn’t stay at LCshelter often, because UGM redirects her behavior. Discussed mental issues versus lack of coping skills, noted need to call police to report aggressive behavior.

1. Chuck noted harassment of pedestrian by Cindy.

Discussion ensued, re: Why does City continue to put service-resistant individuals in heart of business and residential areas?

• UGM Rep Paul responded: Lake City is a convenient place, with post office, foodbank, etc.; it is a natural attraction to homeless. Noted concentration of services, including: Labor Ready, Thrive project, McDermott place, North Helpline, RotoCare. Stated that LCShelter is additional attraction, but other services already in Lake City are a draw for homeless.
• Committee Member Annie noted several businesses including: gun shop, strip club, used car sales, pawn shop, and marijuana dispensaries that attract “edgy” behavior, low-income housing, and developers disinterested in positive community influence.

Discussion ensued, re: History and image of Lake City. Key points included:

• Improvements in LC image over last 10-15 years. Focus on recruitment of businesses with positive impact.
• Rick’s Strip Club involvement in Lake City Chamber of Commerce and associated negative perceptions (prior to Rick’s closure and reopening).
• Tolerance and compassion for homeless and disadvantaged versus acceptance of illegal/nuisance behaviors. Expectations that all community members should be law-abiding citizens. Frustrations over livelihoods of many being affected by actions of a few.
• Referenced article on positive influence of gentrification on low-income/homeless populations.

UGM Rep Paul noted goal of redirecting LCShelter guests. If guests don’t follow law, they can’t stay. Noted guests with violent behavior are barred from shelter, but will return in tears the next day, allowing for redemptive conversation.  Guaranteed he will do his best to not leave a bigger problem when LCShelter closes.

Committee Member Janet reported:

1. Douglas Park Cooperative reported finding 4 broken needles with exposed sharps lying in road in front of Seattle Gymnastics Academy 1/5/12, human feces and used toilet paper the week before. 

Group noted area issues - dead end street, lack of residential “eyes”, John Sweeney, owner of Gymnastics Academy, grafitti. Committee Member Suzy will contact police to ask for more enforcement of that area. Group discussed focusing future litter pick-ups on that area.

1. Cedar Park neighborhood group began neighborhood walks on 1/9/12. Cedar Park rep concerned about repeated incidents of pedestrians (drunk?) darting/jaywalking Lake City Way, noted 4-5 near-miss collisions.

Discussion ensued, re: Lake City neighborhood compared to other Seattle neighborhoods. Key points included:

• Opposing viewpoints - some see improvements, some see worsening. 
• Necessity of zoning, community involvement, and enforcement to precipitate change.
• Comparison to Ballard, Fremont, Capitol Hill. UGM Rep Paul noted alcohol abuse is biggest problem he’s seen in Lake City. (Some heroin users, but mostly alcohol).

Discussion ensued, re: Potential increase in guests at LCShelter due to snowy weather. 

• UGM Rep Paul noted increase unlikely, as rain has same effect as snow. Anticipates more people staying inside LCShelter during day.

1. Open Issues:

1. Dispersing LCShelter contact info - Suzy has contacted LC Chamber, not heard back. Will contact again.
2. Mennonite/LCTF safety patrol - Melanie walked on 1/6/12, said she did not see anyone, noted no problems anywhere. 
1. Several Committee Members noted new loitering/problem spots: parking lot on backside of Lake City Smiles offices, Lake City Grill (behind RadioShack) by Jamtown.
2. Chevron (sells alcohol by the case, steady run of people between gas station and McDermott Place noted). (Previous issues at Fred Meyer.)
3. Litter pick-up on Thursday, 1/5/12.  Ten LCShelter guests participated, collected 15 bags of trash. Jonathon Neufeld will lead litter pick-up on 1/12/12.
4. LC Shelter Guest incentives: Committee Member Suzy donated $200 (from LC businesses) in form of $5 Dicks and Subway gift cards.  Committee Member Chuck requested cards be given to guests who work hard on litter pick-up. UGM Rep Paul indicated that’s how cards will be used. 
5. LC Taskforce will discuss networking/referrals to help homeless as LCShelter closes at 1/13/12  LC Task Force meeting.
6. Loitering issues: LC police reported same places (by Sportshaus Schmetzer, etc.) Police will try to encourage loiterers to move on. Some loiterers respond negatively.

Discussion ensued re: Niko, loitering.

• Niko tells police officers to “f- off” because he has right to be on public property. 
• No progress on his paperwork to Fiji. Update pending from Jonathon Neufeld.
• UGM Rep Paul addressed Mennonite/LCTF Rep Melanie, noted that Niko has not completed his community service at LCShelter. Discussed intoxication/low-functioning. Stays night at LCShelter often, as he does not cause problems when intoxicated.

1. Action Items:

1. (Suzy) Will contact Diane at Lake City Chamber again re: posting LCShelter contact info to local businesses.
2. (Janet) Will pursue possibility of survey.
3. (All Committee Members) Will continue researching possible “adoption” resources for referrals as shelter closes. To be discussed at 1/24/12 meeting.

1. Adjournment

Paul LaRose adjourned the meeting at 5:11pm. Next meeting 1/24/12.  (Group agreed to meet every other week rather than weekly.)

Trash day, double pickup allowed

Judging by the overflowing trash cans, many toppled by recent winds, most won't need a reminder to put out their trash this week.

After snow and bad road conditions cancelled last week's pickup, Seattle Public Utilities customers will be allowed to put out double their usual amount, at no extra charge.

Also, due to those overflowing and toppled trash cans, we will likely need extra help during our weekly Thursday neighborhood walk. We expect lots of plastic wrappers and water bottles to be littering the streets. We meet at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of 25th Avenue NE and NE 130th Street.

Post-storm potholes turn 125th into moonscape

This pothole on N 130th Street caused at least 3 flats in the course of an hour.

One of the most visible urban issues —one that politicos know easily riles up the public— are those craters that make driving some Seattle streets like negotiating an obstacle course.

During our last neighborhood walk, DPC neighbors noted many of the holes on NE 125th Street. The street was recently repaved in patches as part of the road diet that took the street from four lanes to two, a turning lane and bike lanes.

The recent storm seems to have torn up pavement along the seams where the old pavement and the patchwork of new pavement meet. We assume lack of funding was a reason the street was only paved in small patches instead of a complete job.

So as you are out there driving, please be careful. At least one of our neighbors had a car tire exploded after hitting a hole on 130th. Other cars have been seen swerving on 125th, trying to avoid the holes.

You can help out and report potholes using this online form. Remember, if they don't know there is a problem, it will never be fixed.

The Seattle P-I has more on Mayor Mike McGinn's promise to quickly repair the holes.