The Three P’s: Planning, Preparing and … Panic!

September 10, 2007 by 1 Comment

Winter still seems far away…but it’s not so far away that you can’t start planning for one of the big storms we’ve had.   In the few years we’ve lived on Beach Drive, we’ve been pummeled 3 times with waves, salt and wind. 

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We’ve had some very nice neighbors who have offered to help “bail us out” and we’ve had other neighbors who were not well prepared and wanted to borrow our pumps (ummm….we were kind of using them).

Here is a quick list, if you live on the “water side” of things you may want to consider picking up before we’re in “storm season” and they’re sold out.   (We have Honda’s for our generator and pumps).

  • Generators 
  • Pumps (we have two and it so far that’s paid off because it seems like every time one has decided to quit on us). UPDATE: Aurora Rents is open on Sundays and have pumps available to rent should you flood like we do!
  • Gas for generators and pumps
  • Big Thermos full of coffee (maybe Spanish Coffee)
  • Tide Charts to read along with the upcoming Puget Sound marine forecast (links on the right column of BDB under “Swell Links”).
  • Tall rubber boots
  • Neoprene gloves

You can always try renting pumps and generators.   It use to be more convenient when the rental place was located on Fauntleroy instead of SODO and the storm needs to hit when the rental place is open for biz. (See note above regarding Aurora Rents).

We have a neighbor friend who keeps a “crash kit” of warm clothing ready for when it’s time to go battle the wind and waves. 

This is just a few ideas in the event of a storm with high tides.    What to do if we’re out of power for 5 plus days in the winter is enough for another post at a later date.

UPDATE: Since writing this post, you can connect with Beach Drive Blog with Twitter @BeachDriveBlog or Facebook fb.com/beachdriveblog using your cell phones should we lose power. 

Filed Under: Safety, Weather

Quick Update re: Beach Drive Block Watch Meeting

September 6, 2007 by Leave a Comment

The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, 2007 has been postponed.   We have a few neighbors who have committed to participating that will not be able to attend on Tuesday.

I’ve emailed Officer Ben and will let you know when we have this rescheduled.

I apologize for any inconvenience. 

Filed Under: Safety

Did you hear the fireworks?

August 30, 2007 by Leave a Comment

This afternoon, three loud blast happened around Emma Schmitz Park.   Guess I’m not the only one who heard it.Dsc_0117_3  What would possess someone to light off fireworks (check out the white pipe at their feet) in the middle of the afternoon at the end of August? 

Filed Under: Parks, Safety

Beach Drive Block Watch Update and Neighbor List

August 30, 2007 by Leave a Comment
NOTE:  I’ve been duking it out with Comcast who has wrongly dumped my emails into their nasty spam category.   I do a lot of email with my "real job".   Because of Comcast, I have not been able to send this message out to neighbors…my apologies.
Hello Neighbor!
If you’re receiving this email, it could mean a couple of things:
  1. You asked to be included on updates regarding the block watch
  2. You attended the Seattle Night Out event on Angeline Street earlier this month
  3. Somehow we have your email address on the neighbor list on www.beachdriveblog.com.
If you do not want to be on the list or to receive Block Watch information, please reply with "remove" in the subject line and I will do so without any further questions.   
If you do not want to be on the Beach Drive Neighbor List, please send me an email requesting to be removed (again–no problem).
Please do visit www.beachdriveblog.com and click on the Beach Drive Neighbors link on the left side of the page.   This is private list that requires a login and password.   (Please contact me and if you’re on the list, I’ll provide you with the login/password).
Please take a moment to review your info and make sure it’s correct.   I’ve done my best…but I’m far from perfect!   If you’re not on there and would like to be, please let me know.
I have scheduled a Block Watch meeting with our area representative from the SPD (even though they were a no-show at our gathering for Seattle Night Out). 
This is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18 at 6:30 pm. (this is post poned)  I’m not sure WHERE it’s going to be!  Alyson has gernerously offered her nice lot on Angeline again.   
Please let me know the following:
1)  Are you interested in participating in a Block Watch?
2)  Are you interested in hosting the meeting at your home?
I would also like to take this moment to thank my neighbors, Natalie and Susan D. for helping to pass out flyers for the Seattle Night Out event and a BIG thank you to Alyson and our neighbors on Angeline who hosted the event on their street and Alyson’s yard.   I think it was a success and I look forward to the event next year.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Filed Under: Safety

SW Precent Public Safety Newsletter AND Picnic

August 14, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Here is the latest issue of the Public Safety Newsletter from our local police department: Download southwest_precinct_public_safetynewsletter_aug_9_2007.pdf

And…info on the picnic at the Southwest Precint this Saturday (August 18) from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Download SouthwestPicnicFlyer.pdf

September 13th at 6:30 p.m. we have a tenative Block Watch meeting set up for Beach Drive.  If you’re interested, contact me.   If you’re not in our area of Beach Drive, I’m happy to refer you to the appropriate SPD representative.

Filed Under: Safety

Sharrows…share how?

August 11, 2007 by 3 Comments

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The official sharrows are showing up along Beach Drive with still no notice to the residents.   The only way to discover what the new paint or white-perma-whatever is along the road has been from either the West Seattle Blog or if you happened to attend the last Alki Community Council meeting.  No flyers…no nothing!   Or did the City of Seattle just miss our house? 

Let me begin by saying I have no issues with sharing the road with bicycles.  I ride a bike on the road to.   And, I would much rather see a bicyclist riding on the road instead of zooming down the sidewalks thru pedistrians.   

I’m just not sure what the sharrow is suppose to do?   Autos and bikes all ready share the road….we have been for years.    It’s not providing the bicyclist any more room or safety.   With most residents having to park on Beach Drive and people who are visiting the parks along our neighborhood having to do the same…there’s no additional room for designated bike lanes along our narrow pot-holed road.    How much did the City spend on sharrows instead of fixing Beach Drive so the people in cars (old and young…I’ve seen ya)  can speed faster on it?

If anything the sharrows will just help residents along Beach Drive with parking…the handy white lines will keep us closer to the curb and less in the street.   No real benefit for bikes IMHO.

What do you think?   

Update:  Here’s a link to an article just published from the Seattle PI stating "some wonder if they’re more than just goodwill gestures to cyclists. After all, critics say, what does it really change?"

Filed Under: Opinion, Safety

Beach Drive’s Night Out

August 8, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Even though the SPD stood us up at our gathering, I’m going to call our Night Out a great success.   I’m estimating we had at least 50 neighbors from around the Beach Drive Neighborhood.    Lots of great food, conversation along with old and new friends. 

Allison was wonderful by allowing us to bombard her nice lawn.    And Angeline neighbors were terrific by bringing over tents, tables and chairs.    I enjoyed meeting folks that the blog has helped by finding missing pets or boats!

The next step is creating a Block Watch since there is obviously a lot interest in it.    I’m hoping that we can coordinate between other Block Watch groups within our area (Alki – Beach Drive – Fauntleroy).

This is such a great community!

Filed Under: Safety

One BIG Reason to Have a Block Watch

August 7, 2007 by Leave a Comment

This video was shot at Alki last night (I believe).  A group of people get into a brawl and then take off (looks like they headed towards the Beach Drive neighborhood (west of Alki).   

This is the time of year when we get an increased volume cruisers in "our hood".

The video is disturbing and you don’t need to watch it.   It concerns me that the folks who filmed this waited 5 minutes into filming before calling the police.   You have to wonder where their priorities are:  good YouTube video-content or protecting your neighborhood?   

I hope Seattle Night Out 2007 is a huge success tonight and that we have a lot of blocks participating. 

Hat Tip to West Seattle Blog.

Filed Under: Safety

Seattle Night Out is Tonight

August 7, 2007 by Leave a Comment

If your neighborhood is not celebrating a "night out", please turn your porch light on to show your support for Seattle Night Out against crime.

Filed Under: Safety

Clarification on the Block Party

July 29, 2007 by Leave a Comment

I’m hoping to avoid possible confusion regarding the Seattle Night Out 2007 event taking place on August 7.   I know I’m posting information about our neighborhood’s block party event, it is intended to be for "Block Watch" purposes and to get to know immediate neighbors better.   It is not a "block party" where everyone from West Seattle drops by.   This is coordinated with the Seattle Police Department and the Fire Departments in effort to curb crime by getting to know your immediate neighbor better. 

If you’re block/area of Beach Drive is having a block watch event to celebrate Seattle Night Out 2007, I’m happy to post it.

You can also check with the Seattle Police Department to see if your block is has any events planned or if you would like to coordinate one.

Filed Under: Safety
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