Garfield Seattle

We keep seeing statistics from the SPD and other city entities (mayor, council members, etc.) showing that fatal shootings have decreased over the years.
I just had a chat with a police officer who happened to be in the neighborhood, and I asked him if the wounded boy in the recent Garfield shooting had survived, because he had been described as having life-threatening injuries. The officer said the boy is recovering because of the amazingly good care he got at Harborview. This of course is good news, but....it reminds me of something that was on my mind anyway:

Current statistics are not directly comparable with the ones from two decades ago because of the huge advances in medical care since then. Just like in war wounds, crime victims are surviving injuries now that they would not have survived in 1988. A better comparison would in total shootings, not fatal ones.

The SPD officer agreed with me and advised me (us) to keep speaking up about this, and other thoughts that we have, so we will eventually be heard.

Spotted this sign while acquiring exotic spices at nearby Tana Market. Just can't quite figure out what kind of restaurant it will be. Mystery!

20-some residents of 25th and Spring, Marion, 24th and 26th, got together Thursday night to talk with Erin Nestor and Rebecca Denk, owners of the successful Bottleneck Lounge. They are attempting to replicate the popular venue in the new live/work building at 25th and Union. Their proposal is for a small, quiet neighborhood place which would serve mainly walk-in diners, with a full liquor menu. By far supportive of the proposal, the audience asked about traffic, noise, problems with street drunks and drug users, and similar issues which might arise with such a combo. Erin and Rebecca were very upfront about their plan, acknowledging the issues raised, and receptive to ideas from the neighbors about possible ways to deal with them. Some attendees at the meeting were hostile to the idea of a bar in a residential neighborhood, and apparently plan another community meeting in opposition.
People who are interested in this idea can write to the Liquor Control Board in support (or opposition) to a restaurant/bar in the neighborhood: Washington State Liquor Control Board Licensing and Regulation, PO Box 43098, Olympia, WA 98504-3098, Attention: Dean Lau. Mention Liquor License #403447