A lost white cat appears! Is he yours? (UPDATE)

UPDATE (Tuesday, December 13): We’ve just heard the good news from Anthony (via email): “Just an update, we got in touch with the owners of the white cat last night! He is from a home around 56th and 12th. Thank you again so much for posting that on the blog!”

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Readers Anthony and Julia may have found your lost kitty (via email, emphasis ours):

We were just opening the door to leave the apartment and the crafty little guy just snuck inside! We’re on the 1300 block of NE Ravenna [Blvd], so just across from Cowen Park. He’s an all-white adult male, extremely curious and friendly to humans, which leads us to believe he might belong to someone (no collar or microchip, however). We think he may have been missing for a while because he was a bit dirty and had a minor infection around one of his eyes. I have attached a photo that we took. We had to take him into the Seattle Animal Shelter, because our lease doesn’t allow for pets, but we really want to find his owners who must miss him very much!

 

Anthony and Julia live in the neighborhood nexus of the Ravenna, Roosevelt, and University District neighborhoods, so Lost White Kitty could be from any one of those.

University Branch of the Seattle Public Library closed temporarily (UPDATES)

Via the Seattle Public Library twitter feed: A 99-year-old sewer line serving the University Branch (5009 Roosevelt Way) is broken, and the library is closed until further notice.

There is no damage to the library building itself, but there is no water or sewer service at this time. Repairs are underway, and holds will be extended due to the closure.

According to the University Branch’s website, a reopening date has not yet been determined.

UPDATE (Thursday, December 1): University Branch website now says, “The branch will reopen at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Holds ready for pickup at the University Branch now will expire Saturday, Dec. 10.”

Holds ready for pickup at the University Branch now will expire Saturday, Dec. 10.


UPDATE (Nov. 25, 3:33 PM):
Via the SPL twitter feed: University Branch will not be open on Saturday. Bookdrop is open and holds have been extended to 12/3.

Ravenna Blog Social Media Round-Up, November 13-19

Wherin we get a bridge occupied, a strip club reopened, and continue to wrestle over the name of that light rail station on Brookyn and 45th.

Rally and march near Montlake, University Bridges this afternoon (updates)

This afternoon, the 99% are coming north of the cut.

A rally and march are planned for the University of Washington area, starting at 3:30 this afternoon.

From Working Washington’s facebook page for the event:

On November 17, people from across the area will converge at the functionally obsolete Montlake Bridge to demand our political leaders build bridges to good jobs, not make more cuts. This is part of a national day of action for jobs that’s happening in dozens of cities across the country.

The schedule of events today appears to be:

3:30 PM – Gathering at the grassy area just west of the intersection of Montlake & Pacific

4:00 PM – Rally

4:30 PM – March

One possible route the march could take we’ve gleaned from the website The Stand, a project of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (WSLC) and its affiliated unions. The Stand describes the march route as starting near the Montlake Bridge, but ending at the University Bridge to the west, due to “safety concerns cited by the Seattle Police Dept.”

A call to the front desk at the North Precinct reveals no final march route plans in place at the time of this writing; however, the officer on the phone said “they’re having a big summit on it right now.”

Capitol Hill Seattle echoes the march route move to the University Bridge, citing a Thursday Day of Action itinerary (at the bottom of the post).

UPDATE (12:14 PM): The Seattle Times’ Today File confirms the move to march to the University Bridge instead of to Montlake, citing the information on The Stand’s website that we mentioned earlier.


View November 17th rally and march in a larger map

UPDATE (12:21 PM): The Seattle Department of Transportation has sent out the following traffic advisory (via email):

SEATTLE  An Occupy Seattle rally and march today has the potential for creating major delays on all arterials leading to and from Ship Canal bridges during the afternoon commute.

The rally is scheduled to take place between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. on the University of Washington campus and then is expected to march west on NE Pacific Street to the University Bridge at roughly 4:30 p.m. The demonstrators plan to block the bridge during the afternoon rush hour so their presence will likely cause traffic delays throughout the afternoon commute until after 6:30 or 7 p.m. Demonstrators may also block the Montlake Bridge during that timeframe.

Seattle Police Officers will be on hand to minimize traffic congestion but the blockage of any one bridge could impact other nearby Ship Canal bridges. Commuters should allow additional time for detouring to another route. Motorists who must get to the University or Children’s hospitals should plan for extra time to reach their destination.

The protests could be very disruptive to transit service this afternoon. For information or questions about transit service, please call Metro Transit customer service at 206-553-3000, and sign up to receive Transit Alerts at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/alerts.

UPDATE (2:44 PM): The Seattle Department of Transportation has a network of traffic webcams across the city, and there just happens to be one at Montlake Blvd NE @ NE Pacific St (first picture revealed after you click the camera indicated by the picture below).

This rally and march is part of a larger “Mass Day of Action” planned for today, with events happening all around the country.

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center survey needs your input

CLARIFICATION: This survey was created by a community member (who attended the RECC operations meeting on November 9). While this survey is not an official Seattle Parks and Recreation creation, your answers are still much appreciated and will be shared with the staff.

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On the heels of last week’s Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center operations meeting comes this survey gauging interest in new programming at the community center.

Whether you use the RECC or you don’t, please take a few minutes to answer the seven questions included in the survey. Future operating and programming hours may depend on it!

Looks like Stay Inside and Fill Out Surveys weather

You WERE going to rake leaves this weekend, honest. But the weather has you trapped inside, where there are blankets, and hot cocoa. And possibly cats.

Why not dedicate a few moments of your time to giving the city a piece of your mind?

Road Safety Summit Comment Form (and Forum)

Now through November 23: The Mayor and City Council would love to know how you feel about road safety. You can find the Road Safety Summit comments form here.

You will be asked to review traffic safety data and then give your answers to the following three questions:

1. What do you think are the highest priority safety problems to solve on Seattle roads?
2. What do you think are the most important things to do to make Seattle roads safer?
3. We often talk about what government can do to promote safety. What are the ways that groups and individuals can promote safety?

In case you do feel like leaving the house (and cats) on Tuesday, November 15, a public forum on road safety is being held at the Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Ave NE), from 6-8 PM. RSVP here.

University District StreetFair Survey

The Greater University Chamber of Commerce has a survey up regarding the Annual University District StreetFair (held on the third weekend of May annually). Responses will be used to help improve future StreetFairs.

Willy Wonka, eat your heart out – Will Bake for Food is back!

Ravenna Blog's Junior Editor sampling a Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Roll by Cook Local at Will Bake for Food 2010.

We love a good bake sale, don’t you?

Well, they do not get any better than Will Bake for Food.

Imagine a room full of baking bloggers who have donated their time, culinary talents, and tasty goodies in exchange for donations of food or cash to a local charity.

Donations of food or cash are exchanged at the door for tickets, which are then used to “buy” goods at all the various tables. Or, if you’re the gambling sort, raffle tickets can be purchased as well.

This year’s donation recipient is The Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County. You can find a list of the items the Emergency Feeding Program needs most here (PDF).

This year’s bake sale of champions takes place on Saturday, November 12, at University Heights (5031 University Way NE), from 11AM-2PM.

Our haul from last year, long since consumed with gusto.

Last year’s event collected 1,903 pounds of food and $946 for Northwest Harvest. The 1,631 items sold by 54 bakers and 138 beverages (55 coffee, 83 cider) poured by 2 volunteers sold out in 90 minutes.

To see a sampling of this year’s bakers — which includes Molly Wizenberg of Orangette and Delancy, Cook Local of the Roosevelt neighborhood, and the secretary of the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association — visit the Bakers page of the Will Bake for Food website.

For more on the organizers of Will Bake for Food, check out our post about last year’s event (“Will Bake For Food: The Ravenna connection to next week’s event for Northwest Harvest”).

“Safer Roadways” press conference taking place in U-District Thursday morning

The average total of bicyclist fatalities in Washington State per year is 10.

This year, that number has already hit 12, the most recent of which — Vivace Espresso general manager, Brian Fairbrother (from a fall), and Jimmy John’s sandwich-delivery man, Robert Townsend (bike vs. vehicle collision) — have occurred in the last week.

Ghost Bike placed at the scene of Saturday's accident in the University District (Photo courtesy M.J. Kelly)

In response to these fatalities, on Thursday, September 15th, from 9:30-10:30 AM, the Cascade Bicycle Club is holding a press conference calling for safer roadways for all.

Speakers include Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (Chair, Transportation Committee), King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (Chair, King County Board of Health), and Cascade Bicycle Club Director of Communications (and fellow Northeast Seattleite) M.J. Kelly.

The press conference will take place in public space located on the median of NE Campus Parkway, located between 15th Ave NE and University Way N (map).

From Tuesday’s press release:

Following a spate of recent traffic fatalities, we invite the community to come together, hear from community leaders, and learn how we can address the issues.

The bottom line: We can – and must – do better.

More and more people are walking, biking and using transit to navigate the streets of Seattle. In our dense, urban environment, the public right-of-way is shared by all of us — drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. It is our shared responsibility to create a safe environment and to look out for each other. No traffic fatality is acceptable. We can do better.

Our call to action to you is to tackle these problems in two ways: through better behavior and through better infrastructure. Please join us.

To bring home the need for safer streets in our own neighborhood, we point you to our post from August 27th, when a girl crossing NE 65th St at 23rd Ave NE was struck by a car and injured.

A day in the life of a North Precinct patrol officer

Yesterday’s Seattle Police Department “Tweetalong” with Officer Audi Acuesta started off slow, peaked with a robbery arrest in Maple Leaf (complete with news helicopers), and made for interesting reading throughout.

Seattle Police Officer Acuesta, just before heading off to assist fellow officers with arresting a home invasion suspect in Maple Leaf.

The following is a collection of nearly all of Officer Acuesta’s tweets on the Seattle Police Department’s twitter feed yesterday, plus some of my commentary. I also pulled some comments made by others from the #tweetalong hashtag, though not all.

Got my car and responding to a nuisance call. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Guy sleeping on a couch! Nasty hangover! #SeattlePD #tweetalong http://t.co/NJCveI1
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/h7sjtjyj Shared by SeattlePD
Photo by yfrog.com on YFrog

@RavennaBlog Have to say, so far Ravenna doesn’t look like the most happening neighborhood, according to @SeattlePD! #thisisagoodthing
joyeousness
September 13, 2011
Tweet-a-long with Seattle Police @SeattlePD today- complete with photos! #tweetalong #SeattlePD
nansen
September 13, 2011
@nansen I trust they’re pulling over to the side of the road first? 😛 #tweetalong #SeattlePD
Willowbottom
September 13, 2011
.@joyeousness Nope, it’s been pretty quiet. But he’s off to help with a burglary suspect near Northgate now.
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD what is with the helicopter around the Northgate I-5 area? (1:51 pm 9/13)
colourofspring
September 13, 2011
Met up with @SeattlePD Ofc. Acuesta at Ravenna Third Place Books, talked shop. Our ‘hood is lucky to have him on patrol here, IMHO. …
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
It’s the slower part of his shift now (hence lack of tweets). + he’s a solo officer in a patrol car (a different gig than those on bikes).
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD This is so interesting, thank you for doing a tweetalong!
EyeOnUptown
September 13, 2011
Caught suspect in a home invasion Robbery!!!! Great work to all the officers at the scene!! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
#SeattlePD has taken into custody a wanted robbery suspect in North Seattle. We hope to have more details on the SPD Blotter within an hour
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD I like this idea of Tweeting while you folks are on duty! Great job keeping us informed!
SeahawksFan11
September 13, 2011
What Air4 is currently flying over: RT @SeattlePD: #SeattlePD has taken into custody a wanted robbery suspect in North Seattle.
komonews
September 13, 2011
Still waiting details on robbery arrest in N. Seattle, but here’s SPD taking their suspect into custody- http://t.co/uL5fRYS
komonews
September 13, 2011

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/gys87acj Shared by komonews
Photo by yfrog.com on YFrog

Dirty pants running thru the yards!!! #SeattlePD #tweetalong http://t.co/5TFMnZo
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/gzx88czj Shared by SeattlePD
Photo by yfrog.com on YFrog

Helps to have a @komonews chopper taking pics! RT @Roosiehood: @kristen206 @SeattlePD I’m LOVING the Tweetalong! It’s like I’m there! 🙂
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
It was nice talking with Rebecca!!!! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
I love the tweetalongs. Helps people see police as REAL people. Stay safe & sincere! @SeattlePD
rengetsu13
September 13, 2011
.@SeattlePD Nice talking to you, too! Glad to see that your day got a little more exciting (but not TOO exciting). #tweetalong
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
Off to see what’s going on at Cowen and Ravenna park. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Ofc. Acuesta mentioned that burglary calls tend to pick up around 3PM, as folks start getting home from work. #tweetalong
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
#SeattlePD apprehends wanted robbery suspect in North Seattle. For additional details go to http://t.co/rhocZm3
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
SPD Blotter » Wanted Robbery suspect apprehended in North Seattle

Posted by Detective Jeff Kappel On September 13th at approximately 1:29 p.m. North Precinct patrol officers spotted a wanted robbery suspect driving a white sedan in the area of NE 107th Street and 15th Avenue NE (there was probable cause to arrest the adult male suspect for a home-invasion robbery that occurred in the city within the last few weeks).
Ofc. Acuesta and I were finishing up our chat when the burglary call came through. He sped off to assist… #tweetalong
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
Not a call he would normally go to alone, as he’s only a single officer in a patrol car. But he did help out: http://t.co/1D0SZEo
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011
In Cowen/Ravenna Park now. RT @SeattlePD: Drugs are bad! Please so no to drugs! #SeattlePD #tweetalong http://t.co/aJcqSKD
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/hs7c6yuj Shared by SeattlePD
Photo by yfrog.com on YFrog

@SeattlePD .. thank you for you service police department.. I live in the area and feel good knowing you are looking out for us
hughes75
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD what’s the legality of this scenario pictured? Curious on the discretion officers take of risk, threat, and nuisance #tweetalong
thegarrettp
September 13, 2011
Part of Ofc. Acuesta’s normal patrol routine is to walk around the parks, check under the bridges, see if folks need aid. #tweetalong
RavennaBlog
September 13, 2011

Metro Bus Route 73 was detoured off of 15th Ave NE between NE Northgate and NE 80th St for at least half an hour, due to the police activity in the area. Back to regular route at about 3PM.

I meant to say “Say”, not so! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Just went to a suicidal person call on the overpass NE 85 st over I-5. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Home Invasion Suspect Arrested Following Chase, Crash In North Seattle http://t.co/tPQV5QK
publicolanews
September 13, 2011
No one located in the area! Area check near the location for person. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
No one located, only one caller reporting the incident. #SeattlePD
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Going to a intoxicated male on 8000 blk of 5 av NE. Guy walking in an out of traffic. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Contacted the intoxicated male, he was standing on the sidewalk. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Male had been drinking and was upset over a divorce. He stated he is going to go home and drink more! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD ha, just saw you on that while driving by. #spdcelebsiting
daveschilling
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD Yeah, *that* will fix it… Doh!
VeloBusDriver
September 13, 2011
Hanging out with biker boys on the Ave! #SeattlePD #tweetalong http://t.co/nIXxWTh
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/h3c30jkj Shared by SeattlePD
Photo by yfrog.com on YFrog

Good to see some community-relevant tweets by @SeattlePD! Whoever is tweeting knows their #socialmedia stuff!
bikegrrl
September 13, 2011
Going to an accident on Roosevelt/NE Campus PY. Veh vs bicyclist. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Everyone is ok. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Suspicious person at the 4100 blk of university Wy NE. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Male keeps bringing bicycles and locking them up, he has five now. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD does each cop usually respond to this many incidents in one day? #tweetalong
SeattleBlank
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD sometimes I imagine super snarky commentary for you guys.
thejedi
September 13, 2011
Bicycle patrol were flagged down at 1413 NE 50 st. Some one wanted to report they saw a Americas Most wanted person. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Going to back the bike guys. #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
With the bike unit. Guy is not wanted! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
At the Safeway on Brooklyn. With a felony warrant for burg! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Suspect with warrant taken into custody and transported to the North PCT #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
Doing some paper work at the North Pct and will be going home shortly! 3rd watch stay safe! #SeattlePD #tweetalong
SeattlePD
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD Thank you for keeping us safe & patroling the streets of Seattle! Appreciate what you do!
laurig
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD Thanks for today’s #tweetalong ! Thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thanks for keeping our ‘hoods safe!
nSeattleSarah
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD Good tweeting Officer Acuesta
SoloLobo86
September 13, 2011
@SeattlePD Thanks for the #tweetalong there. You guys should keep on doing this more. I appreciate what you guys are doing now these days.
andrewkim101
September 13, 2011
Thanks for all the tweets today! RT @SeattlePD: Doing some paper work at the North Pct and will be going home shortly! 3rd watch stay safe!
Roosiehood
September 13, 2011

Significant chunk of 15th Ave NE to be closed on Saturday

The second phase of the 15th Avenue NE Reconstruction has begun, and that means the action is heading further north.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, a significant portion of 15th Avenue NE will be closed. Traffic headed east-west will have one lane each way on NE 50th St, and north-south traffic will detour to University Way NE.


View 15th Avenue NE closure on Saturday, June 18 in a larger map

The SDOT Traffic Advisory:

A contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation will close 15th Avenue NE between NE 45th Street and NE Ravenna Boulevard on Saturday, June 18, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for street improvements. General traffic and buses will be detoured to University Way NE. One lane in each direction will be maintained on NE 50th Street. The closure will allow the contractor to install new drainage facilities in this area.

Beginning next week, the contractor will begin removing and replacing the pavement on 15th Avenue NE between NE 50th Street and NE 55th Street. One lane for each direction of traffic will remain open.

This work is part of the second phase of the 15th Avenue NE Reconstruction Project, between NE 45th Street and NE 55th Street.

For more project information, please visit the project website at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_15thavene.htm