Dispatches from Ravenna, a neighborhood in Northeast Seattle
In case we wake up on the morning and it’s ALL GONE like the weather folks are forecasting, here are a few pictures and one video of my corner of Ravenna in the snow.
Ready for its close-up.
Frosty? Indeed.
Nice swag you got there.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhCz8ORGyqc
UPDATE (11:11 PM): My final tally (on the back porch table) —
Three inches!
Safety Girl reads the weather reports, too, and she has some snow tips for the neighborhood.
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A few inches of snow is no big deal in other parts of the country, but we’ve already been reminded this season that Seattle can grind to a halt under anything more than a light dusting. Here is a quick refresh before the snow flies:
Don’t wait until the snow is falling before you head out for supplies. Make a pit stop at the grocery or hardware store for any snow supplies you may need. Pick up enough groceries for the duration of the storm, so you won’t be forced to venture out in bad weather. Remember things like a bag of rock salt for the front steps, cat litter or traction grit to keep in your car, and fresh batteries for flashlights in case the power goes out.
Snow and storm forecasting is more reliable than it used to be, but still no sure thing. If you’re headed to work or a social event near the time a storm is predicted, keep an eye outside and don’t be afraid to leave if the weather starts to take a turn for the worse.
It’s also best, if you can, to head for home around sunset. Outdoor temperatures drop—and ice forms much more quickly—soon after dark.
When you go out, wear shoes with good tread and try to avoid carrying heavy loads (another reason to grocery shop beforehand). Slips are a frequent cause of injuries during the winter months, and a sprained wrist or broken tailbone can really ruin your month.
When you have an outside entrance to your home, it’s important to shovel and salt your porch steps and your front walk so you or your visitors don’t fall. This is more common several days into a storm, when old snowy footprints turn into uneven ice. Spread rock salt every day, shoveling beforehand if necessary.
Homedwellers- if the temperature drops below freezing, take precautions to avoid broken pipes. Letting faucets run a slight trickle of water overnight can prevent freezing and bursting. If you’re concerned about water waste, put large containers underneath the faucets, and use the water the following day.
If you own your home or townhouse, you may want to check out more detailed information about insulating your plumbing and preventing frozen pipes.
If you’re not confident in your ability to drive in the snow, or if your vehicle is not prepared for snowy conditions, it’s best to stay home or take the Metro. In the last snow post we covered making a storm kit, chaining your car, and steering out of a skid.
And remember, 4WD does not improve your braking:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dooKpdIwwR4&feature=youtu.be
Today, we welcome Zaw Pizza to the (nearly) neighborhood, and tomorrow it’s UW Surplus’ big day!
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New signage, with bonus phone number (photo courtesy Zaw Pizza)
Zaw Artisan Pizza opens its fifth location in Wedgwood (7320 35th Ave NE) today at 2pm. No deliveries this week, as they focus on the pizza-making first; however, busy folks can order ahead and pick up their pizzas while STILL IN THEIR CARS, thanks to a second door to the store, adjacent to the kitchen.
When deliveries start next week, the neighborhoods of Wedgwood, View Ridge, Bryant, Ravenna, and even Laurelhurst are included in the delivery area. Roosevelt and Maple Leafers east of 15th Avenue NE are also in the delivery zone. (The rest of Roosevelt and Maple Leaf, and the University District may be added to the deliver zone later.)
The Wedgwood Zaw crew! Katie, Amanda, Danielle, Stephanie, Will, Nathan, Townley, Danny, Rose and JOE are happy to be here!
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On Tuesday, UW Surplus holds their first public sale from noon-6 PM at their new location (4515 25th Ave NE), across 25th Avenue NE from University Village.
The old location (underneath campus security on Boat Street) had its charm: Lots of wood, lots of old signage. A duck. But it was also small, and had very little head room. And no heat. The new location is quite a bit larger AND heated. (And conveniently located across the street from Radio Shack.)
A sneak peek -- LOOK at all that head room!
Just how does the University of Washington decide what they don’t need or want anymore? From the UW Surplus Store’s FAQ page:
The UW is committed to contributing toward a greener world, and we try to let nothing go to waste if it can be reused, repurposed, or recycled. We take in surplus items from all UW departments and medical facilities. When a department doesn’t need something anymore, they send it to us. We receive items every day, so our stock of items is always changing & evolving.
And what is it like inside? What kind of stuff is the UW parting with? Well, if you’ve even been to the original Archie McPhee’s (on Stone Way) and wished they had more stuff you could outfit your mad scientist lab and office with, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU.
Entrance is the small door to the left of the BIG DOOR.
With the news yesterday of the Miller-Pollard store at University Village closing (and a Microsoft store opening in its place), there’s been a lot of chat on twitter about University Village and the other stores that used to be there.
University Village in 1962 (from the Seattle Municipal Archives; click to view a larger version)
And, as much as I tire of hearing about all the cool things that USED TO BE in this area, I thought I might open up a post so we could remember the good old days of Ernst, Lamonts and the Village Lanes that used to be down the street.
To get things started, here are some of the things that the Ravenna Blog tweeps (“twitter peeps”) have had to say about both the old and the new University Village (I’m updating it through the day):
Here’s the light show that you may have missed this morning:
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