A couple drive-by shootings in the Central District are part of a string of shootings across the city, many of which were gang-related according to Pubiicola. There is no indication which, if any, of the shootings are related.

Two people were injured in a shooting at 8th and Pine New Year’s Eve, and the shooters were chased to Capitol Hill, CHS reports. There was also a shooting a New Year’s Day shooting in the CD and a shooting at 23rd and Jefferson January 3 that stemmed from a disagreement.

More details from Jonah at Publicola:

That same morning, gang detectives were called to the scene of a shootout near a Belltown nightclub—which was captured on video by local masked crusader Phoenix Jones—and a gang member is also suspected in a drive-by shooting the Central District New Year’s Day, according to law enforcement sources. No one was injured in the Belltown or Central District shootings.

It’s not clear what brought on this recent rash of gang violence in Seattle, but it certainly doesn’t bode well for 2012. So what’s the city doing about gang violence?

Seattle’s multi-million dollar youth violence prevention program has apparently led to a drop in court referrals and arrests of juveniles for violent offenses. However, the program hasn’t brought on sweeping reductions in violent crime as SPD statistics say aggravated assaults—which include shootings and other serious attacks—climbed seven percent last year.

Brian Westbrook (@BMW on Twitter) was on the scene of a nasty bicycle wreck at 26th and Pike Tuesday night and posted the following:

According the the 911 caller, the person biking “wiped out.” Seattle Fire transported the semi-conscious patient to Harborview.

From Kyle Moore at Seattle Fire:

We received a 911 call at 10:52 p.m. for reports of a bicyclist who had “wiped out.” The caller then hung up. We notified SPD and responded to 26the Avenue and East Pike Street. When our Aid Unit 25 arrived they found the rider still on the ground and semi-conscious.  Due to the seriousness of the biker’s injuries, we called in Medic Unit 10 and they transported at 11:14 p.m. to Harborview Medical Center. 

I do not have an age or condition of the patient but would consider the biker’s injuries to at least be serious since the patient was transported by our Medic Unit.

The small triangle park at 15th and Madison is getting an overhaul, and the final public input meeting is scheduled for January 9 at Seattle Academy. The park is across 15th Ave E from the under-construction Bullitt Center.

Our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle reports that the park is underutilized as it is currently designed:

Despite some concerns that the park is being redesigned as an extension of the Bullitt Center’s ambitious project, representatives were optimistic about the park’s overhaul at this summer’s center groundbreaking. CHS documented some of those concerns and other details from a Seattle U study of the park that found only 4 out of 1,400 people observed near the park actually lying or sitting in the public green space along busy Madison in 2010.

More details on the meeting, from Seattle Parks:

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in the final design meeting for the community initiated McGilvra Place Park project on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 6 p.m. at Seattle Academy, 1432 15th Ave. 

Seattle Parks will present the schematic site design, answer community questions and gather further input. The schematic design incorporates information gathered from the first public meeting held in November.  

This project provides for a more accessible and usable site, which demonstrates alternative green construction methods and reviews the possibility of a pedestrian oriented street at 15th Avenue between East Madison and East Pike streets. The project site is located at the intersection of East Madison Street, East Pike Street, and 15th Avenue. 

This project is one of 15 projects to receive funding through the first round of the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund. The Opportunity Fund provides $15 million in funding for community initiated park development or property acquisition projects.

An early morning drive-by shooting near Garfield High School left a bullet hole in a car door, but police say nobody was hurt. The victim was in his car near 23rd and Jefferson around 2:45 a.m. January 3 when the shots rang out. He told police he has had a dispute with the suspect.

The shots came from a green, early 90s Suburban.

From SPD:

On January 3rd, at approximately 2:45 am, East Precinct officers responded to 23rd and East Jefferson on a report of shots fired.  There had been several calls to 911 of shots fired in the area, and officers were able to locate a victim in the 200 Block of 23 Avenue.  The vicitm told officers he was driving his car southbound on 23rd from East Jefferson when he saw a green, early 90′s Suburban pull up next to him.  The victim stated that he heard a number of shots coming from the suspect vehicle and heard the bullets striking his car.  The victim was able to pull his car into a parking area off the road as the suspect vehicle left the area.

The victim was not injured and his car had a single bullet hole in the front passenger side door.  The victim told investigating officers that he recognized the suspect as someone he has had a dispute with and officers are following up on that information.  Officers conducted an area check for the suspect vehicle but it had fled the area.

A new restaurant has opened in the Oola Distillery building at 14th and Union, our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle reports. Lucky 8s China House offers Chinese/American dishes for dining in and take-out. Plans for delivery service are in the works.

From CHS:

Chef — and partner — Justin Strnad tells CHS he’s a little nervous about the opening of Lucky 8’s China House in the Oola Distillery complex at 14th and Union.

“I’ve worked at a long list of restaurants — more than 30 places. I used to move around a lot. I’ve been in Seattle for 5 years, 7 years in Chicago. And now I’m really setting down roots for this. This is a commitment. I want people to be happy with this and build something to be proud of.”

“This” is Lucky 8’s, the Chinese/American restaurant Strnad and husband and wife partners Bracey Rogers and Marcy Akiyam are racing to have open before the end of the year. They’re cutting it close.

…

Strnad says Lucky 8’s will have a simple but evolving menu including fried rices and pork belly-filled (and veggie) hum bao. “We’ll have a lot of dishes that people will be familiar with,” Strnad said. “We’re not fusion or anything. It’s our version of Chinese/American food. Housemade everything.” 

The partners are keeping seating limited to start — around 30 seats — as they ramp up and deal with the logistics of the new space and offering takeout. Delivery will come later. As will more experimentation by Strnad.

“I’d get bored cooking the same dishes all the time so we’ll have house specialties that evolve,” Strnad said.

The residents of Turritopsis Nutricula at 23rd and Alder had their day in court December 28, sort of. The judge found in favor of 307309 23rd LLC and ordered the John and Jane Doe occupants to leave and pay due rent.

The collective — which has been living in the unfinished duplex since November 19 — has until January 7 to vacate before police can kick them out.

Though the defense failed to appear in court, they did file an answer to the plaintiff’s complaint accusing the legal owner of abandoning the property and leaving it to rot when the real estate market tanked. They also claimed that the property owner actually owed the occupants money for rehabilitation work, and that they intend to trade such services for residency.

The attorney for the defense argued that the defendants took over the property without the legal owner’s permission and should give it back.

The judge ruled that the residents must vacate the property in ten days (January 7 by our count), though they have an option to extend that another ten days if needed. After that, police will be able to take action to evict them. The judge also ruled that the defendants can be held liable for rent (plus interest) and any damages discovered.

Attempts to contact attorneys for the defendants and plaintiff were unsuccessful. Both the decision and the defendant statement are posted below.

People arrested in Dec 23 raid charged

In other Central District occupation news, the three people arrested during a December 23 raid on a house at 19th and Spruce have been charged, two with trespassing and one with a weapons charge for possessing a four-inch knife. The legal limit is 3.5 inches.

A large number of officers showed up to evict people they said were squatting in the space illegally after some neighbors filed complaints. Two men were in the space at the time and were arrested. The third person arrested was among the large group of protesters who showed up when news of the raid broke.

Police accused the occupants of trespassing and vandalizing the property, but Occupy Seattle claims the occupants were artists who were painting a mural inside the 102-year-old house, which has not been legally occupied for years. Occupants also claim they were given a key to the home, which has since been boarded-up.

Occupy Seattle criticized the raid, questing the use of so many heavily-armed officers to evict two “unarmed Occupy Seattleites,” according to a press release:

Just hours before Christmas Eve, Seattle S.W.A.T Team surrounded a house in the 1900 block of East Spruce Street, only to find 2 unarmed Occupy Seattleites, who had been given a house key. After hours of lighting up the neighborhood with the shining headlights of 8 squad cars, a team of 15 Seattle S.W.A.T. entered the house with guns drawn and a battering ram. “The door was unlocked,” said Shanti, one of the individuals occupying the home. “No one was armed, everyone was peaceful.”   

According to the Seattle Police Department, the raid came in response to a 911 call reporting several male and female subjects had unlawfully entered and occupied the residence. “The key was given to us,” said Cammi, another occupier.

The individuals have identified themselves as participants of Occupy Seattle and artists trying to better the community. The graffiti that was mentioned inside the home was a large mural on the wall, depicting a forest landscape.

Turritopsis Nutricula court documents:

Answer to Complaint Def

ORDERFORWRITOFRESTITUTIONISSD

Every month, The Art Show takes over the e-airwaves during the CD-focused Central Sounds show on Hollow Earth Radio. Wednesday’s show at the 21st and Union studio is an early New Year’s celebration, and Andrew Matson at the Seattle Times promoted the show recently, praising it for keeping live hip-hop going in the CD.

OC Notes’ “Art Show” takes over the Central District’s online radio station Hollow Earth once a month, when the producer best known for his mesmerizing rap group Metal Chocolates treks from his Pioneer Square studio to flood the station’s little room with positive vibes. It’s a treat.

…

There’s barely any live hip-hop in the C.D. these days, where there was a renaissance in the ’80s and ’90s. “Art Show” restores order, somewhat.

As with nearly every Wednesday evening, Central Sounds invites people in the neighborhood to come down to the station and hang out. It’s free, all-ages and goes from 9 – 11 p.m.

Community discussion on CDNews is always lively, but the recent occupations of vacant homes in the neighborhood dominate a list of the most-commented stories in 2011. The members of the Turritopsis Nutricula collective at 23rd and Alder (who have a court date December 28) have been in the unfinished duplex for well over a month, and their stay has sparked debates about gentrification, homelessness, property ownership and what is best for the neighborhood.

Turritopsis Nutricula also paved the way for a series of other squats in the neighborhood with ties to Occupy Seattle. That conversation is long from over.

The Horace Mann occupation also made the list, as did a conversation about Metro route change proposals, news of The Neighbor Lady moving into the Thompson’s Point of View space and the sale of the Promenade 23 shopping center to a Texas trust.

Like any community-wide discussion, conversations on CDN can be frustrating and difficult at times. But they are often productive, informative and uplifting. The real magic of CDN happens when community members share information and thoughts with each other. As a truly community news site, CDN depends on all of you keeping your neighbors informed, and we try to make the site a welcoming space. No matter who you are, if you live or work in the CD, your voice is important here.

Thank you all for the lively conversation this year. We look forward to all the discussions to come in 2012!

• Members of Occupy Seattle occupy ‘abandoned’ building at 23rd and Alder – 270
• Twilight Exit owner opening new bar in the Thomspon’s Point of View space – 87
• City signals plan to evict occupiers at 23rd and Alder – 72
• An Open Letter on Recent Graffiti – 71 (the most-commented community post)
• Duplex at 23rd and Alder still occupied, now called Turritopsis Nutricula – 66
• Occupiers at Turritopsis Nutricula summoned to court for eviction – 65
• Once an ambitious development, Promenade 23 sale to large Texas trust pending – 63
• Seen at 23rd and Jackson | ‘Everyone hates a snitch’ – 62
• Squatters kicked out of house at 12th and Jefferson – 61
• Delivery driver robbed at gunpoint of pizza and cash on 22nd Ave – 61
• Proposed School Boundary Change for Stevens/Madrona K-8 – 59
• Shooting near Pratt Park — UPDATE: One dead – 57
• Metro Shows Significant Changes to the # 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 14, 27 and more. – 54
• Are Seattle University Students Good Neighbors? SPD & SU Respond to Nuisance Properties – 50
• Protestors from Occupy Seattle and Umojafest attempt to occupy Horace Mann school – 48

A 70-something Veteran has severe health issues including heart problems. Recently, while travelling, his health became a crisis. While in the hospital, his home was robbed. This gentleman hopes for a volunteer to help him inventory and clean up his belongings in his garage and help with yardwork and light housework while he gets back on his feet. He’s especially worried that the neighbors will complain because he’s been unable to rake leaves! He lives with his wife, who is also a senior and is unable to help with these physical jobs. If you love to organize, or have an hour or two a week to help with yardwork or housework, this couple would love your help!

A chronically ill 70-something senior has had multiple hip replacements and other health problems, which make it difficult for even this cheerful woman to stay upbeat as she’s often homebound. She lives on First Hill near Seattle University and is a delight to talk to. She’s a former singer who loves music and cheerful people (no frowning allowed). She used to be a manager at her apartment building, and had to step down due to health problems, but has been living in the same apartment for over 20 years. She would love help with housework, possibly occasional shopping, and most importantly organization. She’s had visits from volunteers in the past who all think that she’s just wonderful. She’s an active, friendly woman, who loved to be as involved in the community as she could be. She would love a visit once a week, but she is very flexible and grateful for any help offered.

A sweet, soft spoken young senior who has back problems and severely limited vision hopes for help with housework, taking walks, reading the Bible and her mail, and possibly cooking. She tries to be as independent as possible, but has trouble with tackling those things alone. She lives hear Madrona. An hour or two a week would be all it takes to help out this friendly woman.

Help with simple tasks like these can make a real difference in someone’s life. Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is a “safety net” for elders and adults living with disabilities who are alone in the world and are unable to pay for chore help. All recipients are low-income, have health problems or difficulty with mobility, and most live alone.

Volunteer Chore Services is an excellent opportunity for to interact with elders and disabled individuals while providing essential help to enable these members of our community to remain living independently in their homes. You may choose the day, time and location for your service.

We carefully match volunteers to opportunities based on their personalities, neighborhood, and preferences. There are unfortunately a huge number of people waiting for help, and a shortage of volunteers. As the budgets for human services are in trouble all over the country, programs like Volunteer Chore Services are essential to help our most vulnerable citizens. Volunteers are needed all over, but especially in areas like the CD.

Due to the vulnerable nature of our clients, volunteers must complete a registration packet, provide three personal references, pass a background check, and attend an orientation. To apply, please go to http://www.ccsww.org/volunteerchores. For more information on how you can help in the Central District, please email Kerrie Carbary, the volunteer coordinator in your area, at [email protected], or call our Volunteer Chore Services main intake line at 206-328-5787. Thank you. :)

Here’s a list of what grocery stores are open (or not) on Christmas Eve and Day in the neighborhood. Anything special going on for Christmas folks should know about? Any restaurants/coffee shops staying open? Any refuges for those who don’t celebrate Christmas? Let us know in the comments below.

First off, get your booze now. State liquor stores close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and will be closed tomorrow (both for Christmas Day and because they are never open Sundays).

Central Co-op’s Madison Market

Closes at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Closed Christmas Day

Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. December 26

Safeway Madison

Closes at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve

Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Day

Trader Joe’s

Closes at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve

Closed Christmas Day

Grocery Outlet

Closes at 9 p.m. Christmas Eve

Closed Christmas Day

Promenade Red Apple

Closes at 9 p.m. Christmas Eve (Deli closes at 6)

Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Day (Deli closed)