Fabulous Feline Adoption Event at the RECC this Saturday *meow* (update)

UPDATE (Friday, November 11): We’ve been told that this weekend the Seattle Animal Shelter has agreed to waive adoption fees for adult cats, and is offering a special price for those adopting two kittens at once!

Nearly 50 cats and kittens will be available at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center on Saturday. It’s a purr-fect opportunity to adopt one (or more).

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You look like you could use more cats.

I can haz you for an owner?

Look no further than this Saturday’s Fabulous Felines Cat Adoption Event at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6535 Ravenna Ave NE).

From 12-3 PM, the Seattle Animal Shelter will have a selection of cats from their foster care program available for adoption at the community center.

From The Scoop (the Seattle Animal Shelter news and events page):

Adoption prices range from $45 to $135 (see top of post for this weekend’s adoption specials) and include:
• Initial vaccinations
• Deworming
• Feline Leukemia testing
• Certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians
• Spay or neuter
• Microchip (About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip is injected under the cat’s skin, providing an identification number associated with that animal. Animal shelters can then “scan” a lost animal and retrieve its records from the microchip.)

Public Hearing on the Roosevelt Neighborhood Rezone, Monday, Sept. 19 (UPDATES)

UPDATE (Monday, September 26): You can now watch the entire Roosevelt Rezone Public Hearing here, on the Seattle Channel’s website.
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Tonight at the Roosevelt High School Auditorium (1410 NE 66th St), the Seattle City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment (COBE) is holding a public hearing about the Roosevelt Neighborhood Rezone.

Photo by Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times. Used with permission.

This is everyone’s chance to speak his/her thoughts and concerns to members of the City Council directly (for two minutes); however, written comments can be sent to Councilmembers up until the vote is taken (late this year, or early 2012).

And rumor has it all nine Councilmembers will be in attendance.

This public hearing starts at 6 PM, with sign-up for speakers opening at 5:30 PM.

For those of you who cannot attend, you have three live-tweeters to choose from: Us (@RavennaBlog), the Roosevelt Neighborhood Blog (@Roosiehood), and one of Seattle Transit Blog’s writers, Bruce Nourish (@brucenourish).

If you ARE attending tonight’s hearing and would like to contribute to the Twitter conversation, we’ll be using the hashtag #RRzone. Folks at home can follow along here.

More information about the Roosevelt Neighborhood Rezone

Today’s edition of the Seattle Times included a piece about the rezone, primarily from the neighborhood’s point of view: Neighborhood embraces change — but fights to save a view

Seattle Transit Blog also posted a piece today, detailing density proponents’ frustrations with the neighborhood’s plan: Roosevelt rezones up for discussion tonight

UPDATE: The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association has two a final document detailing their latest wishes for the rezone: “Sustainable, Livable Roosevelt”

The Chair of the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association, Andrew Miller, has laid out the RBCA’s position on the Roosevelt Neighborhood Rezone.*

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*Full disclosure: I am the Chair of the RBCA’s Communications Committee, which means I update the association’s website and assist with the newsletter. You can find the full list of Board Members and Committee Chairs here.

Busy weekend for police at the northern Ravenna/Roosevelt boundary (Update of Saturday incidents)

UPDATE (Tuesday, September 20): The word on those three incidents on Saturday, September 17, from North Precinct Officer Thomas (via email; emphasis mine):

The first two incidents you mention are the same looking at the event #. In this incident a male was almost home when he was approached by three subjects. One pointed what looked like a gun at the victim and asked him “what he had.” The others told him to put the “heater” away. They were not located. The other incident was a [domestic violence] assault with an arrest. Incident #2011-307248.

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It’s been a busy couple of days for police officers in the area just north of the NE 65th St and 15th Ave NE intersection.


View Larger Map

Here are three FOUR police-related incidents we’re currently working on.

Friday

Ravenna and Roosevelt residents in the area of 15th Avenue NE between NE 65th St and NE 75th St may have woken up a bit on the early side on Friday morning, September 16.

Two residents reported hearing two loud bangs/explosions just after 5 AM that morning. Several others remarked about a hovering helicopter in the area. Metro bus routes 72 and 73 (northbound only) were rerouted around the area during this time, “due to an incident.”

Local resident Sue went so far as to call the Seattle Police Department (at, we assume, their public information number) and was told (per her email to us), “[T]he helicopters might be related to a Bellevue police search for someone on an arrest warrant.”

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ADDED Saturday, 10:24 PM: The editor over at Roosiehood emailed over the following from area resident Kelly (written on Roosiehood’s Facebook page):

I called the police Friday AM and they told me the explosions were some sort of compression bombs that were launched by the Bellevue police to flush someone they had a search warrant for out of one of the Sisley properties. Seattle police were aware of the situation. It really frightened me!

Reminder: At this time, I do not have confirmation of an address or block that the Bellevue Police were targeting that morning.

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We were able to confirm through SPD Officer Brian Thomas (the Community Police Team member for the area) that the Bellevue Police had been in the area, but he had no further information on the activity.

Our call to the Bellevue Police Department Public Information Officer on Friday has gone unanswered, thus far.

If/When we learn more information about this activity, we will update this post.

Saturday

[Recent update for this section is at the top of this post.]

There have been two three events in the area so far today:

  1. This morning at 1:12 AM, an armed robbery took place on the 6800 block of 16th Ave NE.
  2. This morning at 4 AM, an armed burglary (with a gun) was reported in the 1500 block of 68th Avenue NE.
  3. At approximately 10 AM, Ravenna resident Sarah reported (via text) “Cops all over 65 n 15th now!” and, when asked about which kind of police (Seattle or Bellevue), she said, “Spd they were arresting[.]”

We will get in touch with Officer Thomas tomorrow (Sunday) and see if he can provide any more information on these two three incidents. Updates will be posted below.

Now, let’s all have a quiet Sunday, shall we?

This is not what I mean by, “Let’s hang out at Ravenna Park.” (UPDATES)

Last night, a little after 7PM, I visited the Seattle Fire Department’s Real-Time 911 site, as I am want to do (local neighborhood news editor, here). And the following incident caught my eye:

Screen capture of the "Rescue Rope" call from the Seattle Fire Real-Time 911 page (click to expand)

Fourteen units headed to 55th and Ravenna Ave NE for a “Rescue Rope” call? What is that?

Google Maps shows the address as Ravenna Park.

I hop onto Twitter to ask if anyone is in the park and knows what’s going on, and a few moments later, the following message and picture arrive via email (from Ravenna resident Thom):

On our way dinner at Piatti we walked by this young man dangling from the [20th] Ave bridge. His t-shirt became entangled in his gear and he got stuck about 1/2 way down. He didn’t have a knife to cut himself free (and neither did we.) My son James snapped this pic with his Windows Phone 7.

Picture courtesy Thom George (and son James)

Well, that explained both the “rescue” and the “rope,” didn’t it?

I heard back this morning from Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer, Kyle Moore, about how the rest of the call went:

Hey, we got called off of this before we arrived. The call came in at 6:54 as a person stuck under the 20th Avenue bridge at Ravenna Park. The call came in as a person under the bridge suspended on a rope with their shirt caught on rope. The caller said the person was trapped 20 feet from the ground. Seattle Police responded for traffic. The person got himself down before our units arrive.

So the rappeller is down, safe and sound, and hopefully rethinking his hobby (or the practice location, at least).

As for the legality of this activity, I think we can all agree that rappelling off a bridge anywhere in Seattle is a big no-no. I have contacted both the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (update below) as well as the Seattle Police Department in regards to penalties for this type of activity, and will update this post if/when I receive more information.

UPDATES (Wednesday, September 7): Longtime Ravenna resident Bill wrote in to say:

That bridge has been a popular rappelling site for the 40+ years I’ve lived in Ravenna. On one occasion, about the mid 1970s, I watched from below the bridge, four or so guys taking turns dropping down, sometimes head first instead of feet first, showing off for the audience I guess. And probably their nerves were soothed from pot smoking, another favorite under-the-bridge activity back then. Hey, the risk takers are alive and well.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Communications Manager, Dewey Potter, had the following to say about this type of activity in (over?) city parks (via email):

Parks and Recreation, like other recreation agencies in Washington state, is protected by a “recreation immunity” statute that protects from liability public agencies that provide recreational space for the public and don’t charge a fee: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=4.24.200. While Parks and Recreation tries to accommodate and find spaces for new forms of recreation (recent examples are off-leash areas, skateparks, bike polo, dodgeball, and slacklining), we haven’t talked about rappelling thus far.

Some light at the bottom of the cliff, recreational rappelers? As for me, I’m not even going to think about trying this for myself unless I see Parks and Seattle Center Committee chair, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, do it first.

Girl on bicycle hit, injured by car while crossing NE 65th St (UPDATE)

UPDATE (Sunday, 7:25PM): She’s okay.

Michelle, the mother of the two girls, left a couple messages on the Ravenna Blog facebook page, and I share them with you here:

Hello, I am the mother of the little girl that was struck by the car on 65th while riding the bike. She is ok. Her name is Elle Grant and she was riding with her sister Bella. They were headed out for a bike ride around the block (70th) without me and decided it was too hot to wear helmets and took them off after leaving the house. The report Bella gave me was that they were in search for an adventure and somehow (a thought that makes my stomache turn) they decided to cross 65th. I heard the sirens and tried not to overreact. But then i started to panic, and as i headed for the door, Bella was running up the street screaming that her sister had been hit on 65th.

The long and short is that we had a long 24 hours at Harborview but Elle is ok. If anyone knows the driver, i would like to contact her. I feel so terrible for her. Thanks to all of you that helped my daughters yesterday. I am eternally in your debt. The truth is, there really are angels walking this earth and I am lucky to have had them so close to my children at our scariest hour.
Thank you.
Michelle

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Just after 11AM this morning, one of two girls on bikes crossing NE 65th St at 23rd Avenue NE was struck by a car headed west on NE 65th St.


View Accident location in a larger map

Patty Campbell, the editor of Roosiehood, and her fiancé, Dom, were at the Ravenna Varsity (2300 NE 65th St) when the accident occurred.

Here is their account of the accident (via text messages):

Driver was going west, 2 girls, about 6 and 8, were crossing 65th ON bikes at 23rd. We were at the Varsity having breakfast. Dom saw it happen.

Driver saw the older girl dart out and threw on brakes, but the little one went out in front of her sister and I think her tire got hit.

No helmets. Girl’s head hit the pavement. Blood. Screaming. We all went out and blocked traffic. There was a doctor there who helped.

They live […] fairly close, I assume. Older girl ran back to get mom.

As I was writing this post, Corinne left the following comment on the Ravenna Blog’s facebook page:

There was a car/bike collision on 65th and 23rd. Two little girls riding their bikes across the street and one of them got hit by a car. It looks like it was a pretty minor incident; the little girl and her family were taken to the hospital to get her checked out. I was really impressed with how everyone was doing their best to get the little girl help. What a horrible Saturday for everyone involved. All the EMT workers/cops etc kept saying ‘she’s going to be fine, she’s going to be just fine.’ I would love to hear how she is doing if anyone knows anything further.

At this time, I have no information on the condition of the injured girl. I have contacted the Public Information Officer at the Seattle Fire Department for more information and will update this post if/when I learn more.

Another pooch on the loose in Ravenna/Roosevelt/? (Update: FOUND)

UPDATE (August 19): Good news from Matt in the ol’ inbox this morning!

Got him!

A few kids playing soccer at Eckstein Middle School called with the tip, and my wife Susie went and scooped him up.

Thank you to everyone who kept a lookout for Buddy. And three cheers for Eckstein students!

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These are, indeed, the dog days of summer: I’ve another lost dog to report.

From reader Matt:

Our dog Buddy ran away from the dog sitter in Ravenna Wednesday evening August 10th. He’s a small (nine pounds), tan and white male Havanese. He has a brown leather collar with tags, and he’s microchipped too. He was last seen bolting north across 65th towards Roosevelt High School. He’s pretty timid, so please don’t chase if you see him.

If you see him, please call 954-7260.

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center to CLOSE [correction]

UPDATE (Tuesday, May 24, 10:25 AM): I was told by Ravenna-Eckstein CC staff last night that the work plan for the building has changed. The floors will remain as they are, but work will be done on the building’s walls and ceilings (including the gym’s ceiling).

Regardless of the work being done, the center will still be closed from May 30 through June 12.

We regret the error.

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Starting next week and continuing into June, the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6535 Ravenna Ave NE) will be closed while the wood floors are refinished.

20110523-134903.jpg

Between May 30 and June 12, the wooden floors of both the multipurpose room (pictured) and the gym will be refinished as a part of the regular maintenance of the facility.

The center is scheduled to reopen on Monday, June 13.

If you have a class regularly scheduled to meet during this time, please contact your instructor or the community center (684-7534) for more information about rescheduling.

During a quick walk-through of the facility this morning, I saw one notice of relocation posted: Miss Chloe’s dance classes will be moved to the Laurelhurst Community Center (4553 41st Ave NE) on June 1, 3, 8 and 10.

20110523-134942.jpg

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PARENTS: If you’ve got small ones in the house as I do, you may have seen the title of this post and panicked a bit. Have any ideas of where to tucker out our tykes during the closure? Especially if the weather still isn’t cooperating? Please share your leads in the comments!

Meadowbrook Pool CLOSED for emergency repairs (Update: Open Friday morning)

UPDATE (Thursday, 4:47PM): Just received an email from Dewey Potter saying:

The repairs are complete on Meadowbrook Pool, 10515 35th Ave. NE, and it will reopen at 5:45 a.m. Friday, May 20 for Early Lap Swim. Regular programming will follow. For more information about the pool’s programs and schedule, please go to http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Aquatics/meadowbrookpool.htm.

Set your alarms, and don’t forget your towels.

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Seattle Parks and Recreation Communications Manager, Dewey Potter, sent out the following via email on Wednesday afternoon:

Meadowbrook Pool, 10515 35th Ave. NE, is closed for emergency repairs of the pool wiring and circulation pump. Parks and Recreation expects the repair work to be finished by the end of the day Thursday, May 19 or sometime Friday, May 20.

I’ll update this post when I hear word that the pool has reopened.

Lost dog in aisle 3: Pooch found near Trader Joe’s [HAPPY UPDATE]

UPDATE (Saturday, 12:27PM): Just received word from Patrick that the cute pooch’s owner has been found!

I wanted everyone to know that through the power of technology (microchip inserted in the dog), the internet and all of your participation we were able to reunite the dog we found with its owner (in less than 24 hours!)

Good work, everyone.

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Missing anything?

20110513-191841.jpg

My wife and I just found a small male dog down near the Roosevelt Trader Joe’s [4555 Roosevelt Way NE] at 4pm Friday 13th. He had no collar but is clearly someone’s pet. He’s well mannered and responds to people.

If this is your dog, or you know who he belongs to, contact me at rebecca@ravennablog.com. I’ll put you in contact with the kind folks who’ve picked up your pooch.

Thank you to Patrick for the email and the picture.

P.S. This is Patrick. He’s an artist. I am really enjoying looking at his work.

Judge orders Jiggles to cover up immediately (UPDATE)

[UPDATE Saturday, 8:06AM: The Seattle Times article below now links to a more detailed piece by Sonia Kirshnan.]

A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that the Jiggles Gentlemen’s Club (5220 Roosevelt Way NE) must shut down immediately, reports our local newspartners The Seattle Times.

"Jiggles...ordered to shut down" article on seattletimes.com (click to read)

In our own article posted on January 27th, Ravenna Blog outlined the issues the City had with the strip club, which made up the complaint heard in court today.

More articles about today’s ruling (in order of discovery):

No more jiggling; judge orders U-District strip club shuttered – Seattle P-I

Seattle orders Jiggles strip club to close its doors – MyNorthwest.com

Judge orders ‘Jiggles’ strip club to shut down – kirotv.com

Judge orders Seattle’s ‘Jiggles’ strip club to close – KING 5 News

Judge: City can shut down Jiggles – University District KOMO

Judge orders Jiggles strip club to close its doors – Roosiehood

Jiggles Strip Club Closed – Wallyhood