August 2013

When Ballardite Jennifer Brantley read about a man who was using solar power on his trailer during Hurricane Katrina, a spark lit off in her brain.

She could do the same thing here in Seattle. After all -- as a former solar consultant, and coming from a family line of electricians -- she has the experience. She could start a mobile solar power company that would serve people who need energy off the grid, and who don't want to use noisy diesel generators.

Brantley, who just started her new mobile solar company at the end of July, completed her vision after more than a year's worth of work. It's called the Northwest Solar Rover.

By all appearances, the Solar Rover looks like your typical trailer. Something that you might use when you're moving. Except one rather obvious difference: There's great big solar panels on the side on the top. On the outside of the trailer, there are several plug-ins to hook various items into. Cellphones, laptops, amps, lights. Whatever. On the inside is a large battery pack that can be charged up and be reserved for future use.

From King County

To protect public health and the environment, King County is continuing to build a new 85-inch siphon pipe under Salmon Bay between the Ballard and Interbay areas of Seattle. The project will prevent sewer overflows into Salmon Bay and sewer backups in North Seattle homes and businesses.

The project will reach a major milestone next week as the tunnel boring machine completes the 2,000 foot tunnel underneath Salmon Bay and enters the north shaft in Ballard. Onsite activity will increase at the north site as crews complete the tunnel and remove the machine from the 93-foot deep shaft.

It is currently anticipated that the four-month Shilshole Avenue Northwest detour will begin in early to mid-October and the entire project will be complete by mid-2014.

Remaining work

• Reline existing siphon (Westbound traffic on Shilshole Avenue Northwest lane detoured)
• Connect new siphon to conveyance system and test system
• Complete north and south site restoration

What to Expect at the North Site

Seattle police are searching for a man known only as "Lazarus" for allegedly stabbing a male victim several times at a transient camp underneath the Delridge Way S.W. off-ramp in West Seattle shortly after 2 a.m. on Aug. 16.

The victim told police he was sleeping in the camp when he woke up to being stabbed by the suspect while another man stood by and watched. The victim said he had seen both men in the past (and knew Lazarus by his first name).

Despite being stabbed several times in the torso, head and hands, police said the victim's injuries were not life threatening. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.

Police did not mention a motivation for the attack.

The "white rabbit" fails attempt at burglary

August 10, 4:58 a.m., 8800 Block of 28th Ave NW -- A man who referred to himself as the "white rabbit" attempted a burglary on an unattached garage of a house. The burglar took a red reflector attached to a three-foot twisted metal rod from a neighbor's house and was using it to pry at the door.

When the homeowner heard the noise, he came out to confront the suspect and told him to stop and leave. The suspect did, even shutting the gate door as he left, walking at a brisk pace down 29th Ave NW.

The homeowner describes the suspect as an unknown white male, wearing a dark coat, underwear, barefoot and holding a red shirt in his hands. The homeowner said the suspect appeared to be mentally disabled in some way.

Woman mugged outside of bar

August 11, 2:30 a.m., intersection of Greenwood Ave N and N 84th St -- An intoxicated woman flagged down a police officer and claimed a black man had pushed her on the shoulders, grabbed her iPhone and black purse and took off running 15 minutes prior outside of a bar. She had no other details except that he was black.

Information from SDOT

The 22nd annual Seattle Hempfest expects 50,000 – 70,000 attendees everyday this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Centennial and Myrtle Edwards parks. Saturday evening the Seattle Seahawks anticipate a crowd of 55,000 at CenturyLink Field when they take on the Denver Broncos for the team’s second pre-season game. There will likely be heavy traffic associated with these and many other events taking place throughout Seattle over the weekend, so please see the attached schedule and plan ahead to avoid delays.

The Seattle Department of Transportation suggests motorists join in the effort to reduce air pollution by parking their cars and opting for one of the many alternate modes of transportation available - Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Seattle Streetcar, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible.

Friday, August 16
Concerts at the Mural: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Mural Amphitheater, Seattle Center
2,000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on Broad Street and Fifth Avenue adjacent to center grounds.

Sunset Supper at the Market: 7:30 – 11p.m.

Information from SDOT

PARK(ing) Day is right around the corner! On Friday, September 20, Seattleites can participate in PARK(ing) Day and help to create a walkable, livable and healthy city. For just a few hours (from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), anyone can convert a couple of on-street parking spaces into a temporary mini-park. Don’t miss out…apply for FREE to host a park today.

Started in 2005 by San Francisco design firm Rebar, PARK(ing) Day has become an annual event and an international sensation. In 2012, community groups, residents, businesses, designers, and artists in over 160 cities in 35 countries participated in PARK(ing) Day to encourage a sustainable urban environment. This will be the fifth year that Seattle has participated.

Information from the King County Sheriff's Office:

Local residents will have a prime opportunity to learn about the internal workings of the 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center when the next 9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy is held on September 28th, 2013.

The academy will educate citizens about the role 9-1-1 Communications Specialists play in the public safety system and prepare them should they ever need to dial 9-1-1.

The all day informative class includes everything from the History of 9-1-1 to how citizens can help 9-1-1 help them! A tour of the KCSO 9-1-1 Center is included, and optional “plug-in” time will be offered to academy attendees.

The academy is open to anyone at least 18 years old with no felony convictions. Applicants must live or work in King County.

Applications to attend are now being accepted. Space is limited and completed applications should be turned in by Friday, September 20th, 2013.

Last year, PARK(ing) Day landed on kind of a drizzly day, but it didn't stop the Ballard News-Tribune from playing Battleship with quirky local Marcia Wiley on 22nd Ave NW outside of the Ballard Starbucks.

But besides the Battleship/snack station, Ballard didn't really have much in the way of PARK(ing) Day participation. That can change this year.

PARK(ing) Day, which will take place Friday, Sept. 20, gives locals the chance to convert a couple of on-street parking spaces into a temporary mini-park. No cost. You just need to bring your ideas and register.

Started in 2005 by San Francisco design firm Rebar, PARK(ing) Day has become an annual event and an international sensation. In 2012, community groups, residents, businesses, designers, and artists in over 160 cities in 35 countries participated in PARK(ing) Day to encourage a sustainable urban environment. This will be the fifth year that Seattle has participated.

College bound farewell for B-Towns's Recovering Youth in Motion Recovery (RYIM) Night

Location: Burien Library Multipurpose Room

Date: August 18, 2013

Time:4:30p - 7:00p

Ages 13 - 25

https://www.facebook.com/B.Towns.Ryim

Duwamish River Festival
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Starting at 12 noon

Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98108

Enjoy music, food, kids’ activities, interactive booths with information about Duwamish environmental issues, kayak and boat rides and much more! Don’t miss the chance to celebrate the diverse communities that live along the Duwamish. The festival is FREE. Starts at noon at Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S).

For more information please contact Alberto at alberto@duwamishcleanup.org or (206) 453-9803.