Two Seattle marches for peace will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, one in Columbia City and one at Powell Barnett Park at MLK and Alder. The south end and CD marches will converge halfway at MLK Memorial Park in Mount Baker for a rally against violence that continues to plague the neighborhoods.

The event is organized by Standing in the Gap Seattle, “a grassroots organization put together to share the love of God to bring change and healing to communities effected by gang, drug and gun violence.” Pastor Ray Rogers and Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith will speak, and 206 Zulu Nation will provide music.

Details from Standing in the Gap:

Join Standing in the Gap Seattle for a peace march and rally on September 8, 2012

Marches will start at 11am

Rally will start at 12 noon at MLK Memorial Park

Music provided by 206 Zulu Nation

Keynote speakers:

    Pastor Ray Rogers- Founder/Pastor of Rose Prayer Christian Ministries

    Darryl Smith- Deputy Mayor of Community, Office of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn

Marches A & B will start at 11am

March A will start at Powell Barnett Park on MLK and Alder street and will go south to MLK Memorial Park on MLK Way South and South Walker total 2 miles

 

March B start at Rainier Ave South and South Alaska St. and will go north on Rainier Ave to MLK Way South and head north to MLK Memorial Park on MLK Way South and South Walker — total 2 miles

Like us on Facebook at: Standing in the Gap Seattle

Skateboarding in Judkins Park is about to get real.

Construction on the Judkins Skatespot is scheduled to begin Monday, and it should be ready for action as soon as November, according the city’s website.

The $600,000 skatespot is funded by the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy, and is part of the city’s Skatepark Plan. Grindline, also involved in the design process, won the construction contract for both the Judkins and Roxhill skatespots.

Citywide Skatepark Plan

A skatespot is a smaller skate park intended to fill gaps in areas without access to full skate parks, like the one recently opened in Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill. The skatespot will join the Bike Polo Court to make the south end of Judkins Park one of the most unique “alternative” park areas in the city and will hopefully activate a grassy field that is rarely used.

Meanwhile, a community group has formed to seek improvements to the Judkins Park trails and activate other spaces in the large and often sparsely-used (and illicitly-used) park spaces. More on that soon. Stay tuned.

After building permits took a little longer than expected, Play Doggie Daycare is finally ready to open it’s doors (and yard) to four-legged CD residents. Monday will be their first day of operation.

Once a gas station, then a burger joint, then the iconic headquarters of The Facts newspaper, the site has been vacant for several years. Less than a year ago, a fire ravaged the remaining structure.

But that did not deter nearby resident Sarah Slater, owner of a local dog-walking business who was looking to open a doggie daycare. She has renovated the space, worked to build a new structure, and is ready to watch your dog.

With the introduction of Play, the CD now has multiple doggie daycare options. Fetch Doggie Daycare (a CDNews sponsor) is just up the hill at 34th and Union in Madrona.

From Play:

Get ready to play at PLAY, the new fun spot for dogs… Much like we humans have our neighborhood coffee shops to hang out in with friends, now our dogs have their very own local hangout too. PLAY Doggie Daycare is ready to invite neighborhood canines to come and run, jump, sniff, wrestle, fetch, or just chill with their furry friends.

The dream of Central District resident, Sarah Slater, PLAY Doggie Daycare aims to play the part of an extended member of the family; to provide your dog with all the good stuff dogs need; exercise, socialization, stimulation and relaxation, but also to allow owners to get on with their day-to-day commitments without that awful feeling of guilt. Owners need never fear again those down cast doe eyes as they walk out the door, or the out of control delight – or cold shoulder – when they return home, not to mention the chewed shoes, gnawed carpet, missing butter from the counter top, or the garbage bag emptied on the bed!

“Dogs are amazing animals and companions, unlike other pets they have the capacity to take up as much physical and emotional ‘space’ in our lives as another human” Sarah, PLAY Owner

What can owners expect at daycare? Much like a child’s daycare, the PLAY day will be structured with different times set aside for free roam play, structured play that will reinforce training commands through games and exercises and a quiet downtime, yes… ‘quiet time’ for dogs with music! There will be bathing facilities for staff to give a basic wash and blow-dry with a full grooming service planned in the near future. A crate free boarding service is also planned for the near future, as well as evening training classes.

The facilities 3000 sqft include four indoor and outdoor areas that can be kept separate with fencing and gates or combined to offer one large area. The outdoor area is graveled to allow good drainage and the thorough removal of any poop. The gravel can easily be replaced, replenished and refreshed to ensure a high level of cleanliness; cleanliness, hygiene and odor control are high on PLAY’s priority list. The indoor run is insulated to help reduce noise and will be cool in summer and warm in winter. The separate areas will allow small or shy dogs to have their own space to run without fear of getting tangled in big dog play.

“What I look forward to hearing from a customer, is that they were out walking their dog in the neighborhood and came across another dog and owner, the owners didn’t know each other but the dogs clearly knew one another from PLAY and were obvious friends. That will put a smile on my face”, Sarah, PLAY Owner

PLAY Doggie Daycare’s staff have over 15 years between them working with dogs in large groups, off leash and as Veterinary Assistants.

PLAY Doggie Daycare opens on Monday 10th Sept 2012.

Daycare hours will be 7am-6:30pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information on services, pricing or to apply for a spot, visit www.playdoggiedaycare.com

In their continuing effort to highlight Jackson Street businesses and set up temporary guerrilla outdoor cafes to encourage more street life, Jackson Commons will be at All-Purpose Pizza this evening celebrating National Cheese Pizza Day (yes, apparently that’s a thing).

They also profiled APP and its owner Kedra Olsen on their blog:

Why did you move to Jackson?

So, I didn’t really “move” to Jackson, I was already a resident! The area at the time was really lacking any kind of small Mom & Pop kind of place. Everything that existed at the Promenade was it. There were problems with gangs and people thought I was crazy to open a business during such tumultuous times. But it made sense to me, like I could make a “third space” where neighbors would commune together and appreciate the diversity and culture of the CD as much as I do.

We sure need more of those! So what’s the best thing about doing business on Jackson?

Neighbors who have become patrons, then friends. Everyone is super friendly and SO many people ask “how are things going here?” they really care about and support their community as much as they can. They want to see small business succeed and see their neighborhood thrive. I also like the proximity to everything, like if I run out of bread or need something for a special I can hit the Gai’s bakery or the Red Apple in a heartbeat!

Olsen also announced some changes in the kitchen and plans for a revamped menu as the pizza joint enters its eighth year.

Jackson Commons will be there from 4-9 this evening. The deals only count if you dine-in or take-out.

Unique youth program combining self-defense, kung fu & yoga, offers a fun environment for kids and teens ages 3-18 years. FREE TRIAL CLASSES are now being offered for fall programs. Try it just for fun, no pressure to continue. Classes in the central district at Washington Hall (www.washingtonhall.org) on 14th and Fir.

Our inclusive programs are based on principles of empowerment, peace, and respect for self and others. Classes combine movement and philosophy of self-defense, kung fu, and yoga, with the influence of dance, tumbling and healing arts to create an eclectic and holistic approach to strengthening mind, body, spirit and community.

Each student is met where they are at, and encouraged to reach their greatest potential and happiness. Through training, students learn diligence, focus, body-awareness, self-expression, compassion, global awareness, peace-keeping skills, celebration of differences, self-esteem, and physical competence. Physical training includes strengthening, stretching and agility exercises. In most classes students progress through a belt ranking system. There are opportunities through out the year for leadership training, community service, performances… and more!

Contact us for more information or to schedule your trial class! w (206) 229-7582 Most classes are held at Washington Hall in the central district.

While inner-city Catholic schools across the nation close in the face of struggles, St. Therese Catholic Academy in Madrona turned its fortunes around in recent years by focusing on a technology-heavy “blended learning” model, bolstered by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

From the Seattle Times report:

Up until two years ago, St. Therese Catholic Academy, an 85-year-old school in Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood, found itself on the same discouraging path that has led thousands of Catholic schools across the nation to close.

Enrollment in the handsome brick building dwindled to a mere 91 students, or about 10 per grade level. Expenses kept going up. If nothing changed, closure was a strong possibility.

The school’s leaders didn’t waste time tinkering, instead making a series of big changes that helped enrollment reach 173 students when school opened on Aug. 27, nearly double the number in fall 2010.

Part of the turnaround grew from the simple hard work of putting up fliers and making calls, as well as adding a new prekindergarten program last fall. But St. Therese also is attracting families with a new emphasis on computer instruction.

UPDATE: Slog has a different take on the situation.

UPDATE: The five pieces of legislation that make up the Yesler Terrace redevelopment plan each passed the City Council Tuesday afternoon 9 votes to 0.

Original post:

The City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday afternoon on the ambitious — and some say risky — plan for redeveloping Yesler Terrace. Since the majority of the Council already voted in committee to approve the plan, it is very likely to gain full council approval today.

The council vote will pave the way for the sale of Seattle Housing Authority land to developers, who will be able to build market rate office and housing towers under the new zoning plan. The money from the sale of land would then be used to build new low-income housing buildings to replace the aging units currently in the neighborhood.

The development process could take 20 years, the SHA says, but there will be 100 more “extremely” low-income units when it is finished than the 561 units in the neighborhood today. On top of those units, the plan would include 290 “very” low-income units and 850 “workforce” units. Developers would build 3,199 market-rate units, mostly in high-rise condo and apartment buildings.

However, opponents are quick to point out that these land sales and results are not guaranteed, leaving current residents unsure whether (or when) their homes will be replaced. The process of displacing current residents during the demolition, sale and rebuilding of the Yesler Terrace will also be a hardship of many people, a concern that was voiced clearly during a lengthy public hearing on the plan last month.

The new market-rate buildings could also raise the rents in nearby buildings, pricing current non-SHA residents out of the neighborhood through gentrification. John Fox of the Seattle Displacement Coalition sent the following press release, saying they will be delivering a letter of opposition today before the Council’s vote:

The Coalition will present a letter at 2pm tomorrow Tues at the Council’s regular full session and just prior to their vote expressing “deep disappointment with the terms of the cooperative agreement adopted in Committee for SHA’s Yesler Terrace Redevelopment now heading for a full Council vote Sept 4th. ”  Over 80 community leaders from across the city have signed the letter expressing dismay that the Council is about to approve an agreement that “seals the destruction of this 561 unit public housing project and does not come even close to ensuring 100 percent replacement of those units either on or off-site. ”

The City Council’s actions will translate directly into more homelessness, longer waiting lists for subsidized housing, and more displacement in our city.  We cannot afford to waste our precious housing levy dollars aiding SHA in removal of low income units (the exact opposite of why voters approved this levy in the first place), but that’s exactly what our City Council is poised to approve tomorrow Tues.

If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the Council proceedings live online starting at 2 p.m.

Happy Labor Day! To celebrate workers, Central District News is honoring the work of Garfield High School’s latest award-winning graduate: Will Braden and his existential cat, Henri.

Braden recently won the first Internet Cat Video Film Festival. Take that, people who say our public school system is broken! Enjoy.

Here is a look at some crime incidents in the neighborhood during the past could weeks, according to police reports.

More details in the shooting of Frank Brown

Frank Brown has been upgraded out of the ICU at Harborview and is now in satisfactory condition after being shot multiple times August 23 at 27th and Cherry, the Seattle Times reports.

According to the police report of the incident, Brown was conscious and alert when officers arrived at the scene and were able to tell them who did it and how it happened. He told police he was arguing with the suspect near the corner of the house when the suspect pulled a 9mm handgun out and unloaded.

Mostly blind man robbed in his bedroom

I’ve read a lot of police reports, but this one is among the most downright low.

A man who is mostly blind was in bed at his home near MLK and S Irving Street when he heard someone enter his home by removing a window AC unit around 5:30 a.m. August 11. The robber entered his bedroom and stole the jewelry from his body before rummaging through jewelry in his room.

The man could not provide a physical description of the suspect, but police were able to lift some prints from the scene.

More details from the police report:

Robbery lookout arrested near 18th/Yesler

Three young men tried to rob a woman at 18th and Yesler around 3:45 p.m. August 17, but fled unsuccessfully when they saw a witness calling the police. They did break the woman’s necklace, however.

While police were talking to the victim and witness, they saw one of the three men walking nearby. The witness and victim identified him as the lookout, and he was arrested.

Angry man slices drum heads at Madrona Park birthday party

A group of people were playing drums in Madrona Park around 6:30 p.m. August 19 to celebrate a friend’s birthday when a man angry about the noise approached them with a 4″ folding knife in his hand. He ran into the park yelling at them, the victims told police. He then stabbed three of the drum heads, making them unplayable.

He fled and was not located.

Man jumped at 22nd/Union left with head injury

A man was jumped near 22nd and Union around 1:45 a.m. August 18 by a group of men. When police arrived, he seemed confused and was having trouble with his memory and kept saying things like, “I’m not sure how I got here.” His phone was missing and likely stolen.

He refused medical attention because he said he could not afford the medical bills, but the officer eventually convinced him to accept a free ride in the police cruiser to the ER.

Several witnesses, who did not see the apparent robbery, saw a suspect running and get into a purple t-top El Camino with 24″ rims. The suspect was described as a black male in his mid 20s wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.

You can now support Jimi Hendrix Park, planned for 24th and S Massachusetts, as the park’s foundation launches a campaign to raise $250,000 in 70 days.

The Indiegogo campaign aims to fund the Sound Wave Wall feature of the park, “a curved colored steel wall with cut outs of notable figures of Jimi Hendrix performing. As the sun passes over the wall, people can walk past his long shadows.”

More details from the Indiegogo description:

Public brainstorming sessions to solicit community input for park improvements was conducted by consulting landscape architects, Murase Associates. Three conceptual designs emerged incorporating  popular ideas  that when combined with the legacy of rock legend Jimi Hendrix are imaginative, neighborhood friendly and create diverse use.  

The design process funded by the Department of Neighborhoods Large Project Matching Fund produced a preferred plan and design narrative in 2011 that was approved by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.  The design is bold, colorful and electrifying as the park’s namesake and transforms an empty grassy space into a multi-use location which includes:  

• Interpretative walkways

• Two rain gardens

• Central shelter and other picnic stations

• Sculptural seating shelters

• Enhanced landscaping

• Shadow wave wall tribute

What We Need & What You Get

Following a year-long public design process, the Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation, announced the launch of a capital fund-raising campaign to finance construction of the park that will celebrate the life, music and legend of Seattle’s hometown icon, James Marshall Hendrix.  The non-profit foundation, with the assistance of the Friends of Jimi Hendrix Park, aims to raise $1.5 million in private funding to supplement a $500,000 Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Parks & Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund.

Now, we need your help to fund the iconic Sound Wave Wall in Jimi’s image. Celebrating sound waves, the Sound Wave Wall is a curved colored steel wall with cut outs of notable figures of Jimi Hendrix performing. As the sun passes over the wall, people can walk past his long shadows.

The height of the wall will vary from 4’to 10’ high, and openings will be sited to allow for great views along the path, which connects Jimi Hendrix Park to Sam Smith Park, our gateway. The wall will be oriented for maximium visibility from the street. In addition to the large cut-outs, there will be perforations in the steel to allow for screened images and patterns to form when looked at from varying distances.