Consuelo Larrabee wrote in earlier today to report inadequate lighting at one Queen Anne street corner that could be dangerous for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, especially at night. He wanted to not only call attention to the issue, but asks that other Queen Anne residents take action to make our streets safer. He writes,

Could I encourage people please to get in touch w/the Seattle street department to DEMAND the street light at the NE corner of Queen Anne Ave & Blaine be replaced. It is a busy & VERY dark intersection & it is almost impossible to see pedestrians, especially in the rain.

Light # 1802 on the NE corner of Queen Anne Ave & Blaine in front of the veterinarian’s office.

Larrabee asks community members to call (206) 684-7056 or e-mail street.light@Seattle.gov to request that the lighting at the intersection is improved.

Public Health – Seattle & King County has made limited amounts of H1N1 flu vaccine available at selected pharmacies in King County.

The only pharmacy in Queen Anne is at the Uptown Safeways, located at 516 First Ave W., 206-494-1700. Both the shot and nasal spray are available there, but according to King County they’re appointments are all full, so Queen Anne residents may have to venture into neighboring communities to get their inoculations. Check out the complete list of pharmacies with vaccine here.

People eligible to receive vaccine through pharmacies include:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems
• Healthcare and emergency workers with direct patient contact

Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically between $12 and $22 (not to exceed $22). This fee is covered by most health insurance. People should bring their health insurance information to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.

The City of Seattle and FEMA are offering a free two-hour Earthquake/Disaster Preparedness Clinic this Saturday, November 7 at the Magnolia Public Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The seminar will cover how to prepare your home and family for an earthquake or disaster, how to determine if your home is bolted to the foundation and how to secure your possession and your natural gas line. At the end of the seminar, there will be time for attendees to ask questions.

We’ve just heard from Lisa at Wink Cupcakes and it looks like, despite their recent search for front-end staff, they will not be opening this month. Lisa wrote,

We should be open by mid-December if our construction time-line continues on schedule.

So there you have it. Mid-December. Drats! But even though the cupcake shop won’t be opening for another month, that doesn’t mean you can’t get your sweet fill. Currently Wink is operating out of a commercial kitchen in Lower Queen Anne (located at 501 2nd Ave. West). You can always order your cupcakes!

Update 4:45 p.m. Suspect in officer’s slaying shot by police in Tukwila

Hundreds of Seattle Police Department officers, members of the Seattle Honor Guard, Portland Honor Guard, law enforcement officials from several states – including Oregon and Montana – and the public gathered to honor fallen Officer Timothy Brenton in a memorial procession and service at Key Arena today.

Officer Brenton was killed on Saturday night, October 31, when he and a trainee were sitting in his patrol car in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue South. A vehicle pulled up next to them and fired multiple shots into the car. The student officer received only minor injuries.

The procession left the University of Washington at 9 a.m. this morning, shutting down streets throughout the city as the more than 1,000 vehicles made their way to Key Arena for the memorial service.

Streets throughout the city were blocked off to make way for the procession. The motorcycle officers were first to arrive at Key Arena.

The band marched after them.

Followed by the cavalry.

And then a motorcade of police vehicles.

The public memorial service begins at 1 p.m. at Key Arena. There is no formal procession planned for after the service, there still may be added congestion on the roads due to the blocked off streets, rerouted buses and sheer numbers of people in attendance.

Officer Brenton was 39 years old. During his career he served with the Hoquiam and La Conner police department, before spending the last nine years with the SPD. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, daughter, Kayleigh, 11, and son, Quinn, 8.

A fund has been set up for Officer Brenton’s family. Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch, just say you would like to contribute to the “Brenton Family Assistance Fund.”

A white flag with the Seattle Police Badge, Seattle Police emblem and Officer Brenton’s serial number is flying atop the Space Needle until tonight. Donated by the Space Needle Corporation, the 20 x 30 foot flag will be given to his family. See a picture at the PI Police Blog.

See more pictures from the procession here. To see more video of the memorial procession, watch KING5′s coverage of the event.

Many people came out this morning to pay tribute to Officer Timothy Brenton, who was killed on Saturday. More to come.

Update 7:53 a.m.: WSDOT is closing the SR 520 Montlake exits and I-5/Stewart St Freeway ramps at 8:30 a.m. for the memorial procession. Remember to take surface streets to work. Seattle Metro warns that many buses will be delayed or rerouted for the event all over the city, especially in Montlake, Capitol Hill and Queen Anne. The Seattle Transit Blog has information about bus reroutes (Thanks Capitol Hill Seattle Blog!).

Just a reminder that the memorial procession and service for Officer Timothy Brenton is happening tomorrow morning. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will leave the University of Washington at 9 a.m. and travel to the Key Arena for a memorial service, which begins at 1 p.m.
View Memorial Procession for Timothy Brenton in a larger map

The procession alone is expected to last from 9 a.m. to noon, and SDOT has advised commuters to be prepared for severe congestion near the procession path, as traffic will not be allowed to be on or cross the route (including bicyclists and pedestrians). On Queen Anne, 1st Ave N from Denny to Mercer, and Mercer St. from 1st Ave N to 5th Ave N will be closed for the procession arrival, and other roads around Seattle Center will be closed to traffic and parking prior to the event. There will be no parking along the procession path and Seattle Police Department officers will manage all intersections. The Seattle Times has mapped out the procession so you can avoid getting caught in extra event traffic.

The memorial service at Key Arena is open to the public. Doors will open at 11 a.m. The service begins at 1 p.m. There is no formal procession planned for after the ceremony.

QA Dad posted in our forum tonight that his car was broken into and some of his wife’s important paperwork stolen. He wrote,

We had our car broken into on Garfield, half a block West of QA Ave tonight between 8 and 9 PM. It was a white Subaru wagon. Someone smashed the rear passenger window on the driver’s side and we had a blue Patagonia laptop bag stolen. We’d love to get the computer and bag back, but I’m really interested in trying to find some of my wife’s paperwork that was in the bag. If anyone in the nearby area sees paperwork from ABOG or a medical thesis about chemotherapy and ovarian cancer, we’d love help reclaiming the papers.

If you have any information on the missing items, respond in our forum or email QA Dad at andrewbeverett@gmail.com.

Update 9:17: Seattle City Light reports that power has been restored in Queen Anne and Magnolia. “Cause was a tree falling into the line at W Bertona and 23rd ave W,” they wrote.

Update 9:07: Power’s back on on Blaine and Lower Queen Anne. One reader saw that same blue light our friends in Capitol Hill saw. Thatgirlkelly tweeted,

We saw a big blue explosive glow from over north east magnolia just as the last brown out gave way to the black.

Update 8:53: City Light reports that the “possible cause may be trees in the wires,” taking power away from 3,800.

Update 8:49: We just got an email from a couple on Capitol Hill who saw the power go out on Queen Anne from their apartment, and say it looked more like an explosion than a tree falling through power lines. Molly wrote,

My boyfriend and I, perched high in our apartment on Capitol Hill, saw a huge blue flash and then watched the lights go out on Queen Anne…I’m really shocked that they have called this a tree in a line…It definitely looked like some sort of explosion to us from across the way.  We hypothesized that perhaps it was a transformer that blew?   It was bright enough for us to run out onto our balcony to see what it was….doesn’t quite seem like a tree would cause that.

(Thanks to Molly for the tip!)

Update 8:45: Power’s back on at Taylor and Highland. Getting lots of “powers back” tweets. Is anyone still without?

Update 8:43: Power back on at Taylor and Lee, Jessica says.

Update 8:32 p.m.: Jessica writes, “I’m around the Taylor and Lee intersection of east Queen Anne and power has been out. Lights flickered a few times and finally went out, I think around 7:30pm.”

Update 8:21: Power’s out in parts of Magnolia too. Areas affected are reportedly south of West Ewing Street and north of Mercer Street between14 Ave W and 6th Ave N. City Light hotline says the estimated restoration time “around midnight.”

Update 8:09 p.m.: This just in from Seattle City Light: “Queen Anne outage caused by tree in line. No etr. About 3600 customers currently out.”

We’ve just heard from several readers that there’s a big power outage on Queen Anne. Still not details available at Seattle City Light. There is some possibility that the outage is related to the repair work City Light is currently doing around W. Galer to correct the issues that caused all those outages back in September, thought these work is supposed to be blackout free. City Light employee Mike Eagan commented on our story earlier today. Here’s what he said,

The planned replacement underground cable will be installed from W. Galer through the alley between 6th & 7th W. for two blocks, then down the hill (west) on W. Blaine to 10th W. There will not be any planned outages for this work, though it will be noisy and dirty and disrupt access to the alley at times.

So far there’s little information about the outage area. One reader wrote in,

We’re near Rogers park and at least our whole block is dark.

If you have any information on the outage, email us at tips@queenanneview.com or comment on this story. (Thanks to Jenna for the tip!)

Walked by Wink Cupcakes lately? To my own dismay, the windows are still covered with brown paper… But, they’re hiring, so they must be opening soon, right!?

We came across this Craigslist ad today, via Twitter (thank you all the Queen Anne Twitterers out there!) and it seems Wink is looking for part-time employees to fill all their shifts from Tuesday to Sunday. So if you love cupcakes and know your way around and espresso machine – “barista experience a plus!” – then what better job could there possible be out there than at a cupcake house? It pays minimum wage plus tips, but who cares? Access to fresh baked goods! I’d apply myself, if I didn’t already have a pretty cool gig.

When Wink first moved in to Upper Queen Anne, the word was they were opening in November. I put in a call and email to see if they’ve nailed down a date, and haven’t yet heard back, but will keep you posted. The fact that they’re hiring has got to be a good sign!

FOLKpark, or Friends of Lower Kinnear Park, has launched their new website – folkpark.org. The community-based organization, which recently won $15,750 in the form of two city grants for the further restoration and development of Lower Kinnear Park in Queen Anne, announced that they would launch a new site last week. FOLKpark began in March of 2009 with a mission to “renew Lower Kinnear Park as a sustainable urban forest that links us to its heritage, natural setting and our greater community.” And the members wasted no time getting the website up and running. The new site combines information about the organization and its objectives, a detailed outline of their future plans and ways you can get involved (including hands-on volunteer events), a blog with up to date information on all organization happenings, and a platform for donations and community contributions.

Currently FOLKpark is going through the rigorous process of finding and selecting a landscape architect to develop an enhancement design plan. They plan on making their selection, after a public Request for Qualifications and candidate interviews, by the end of the month. Interested in getting involved, check out their brand new website for more information.

EMP|SFM’s 9th annual Sound Off!, the largest underage battle of the bands in the Pacific Northwest, if fast approaching, as is the deadline for musicians to enter the competition, which is this coming Monday, November 9. The contest gives music performers 21 and under a chance to win a performance slot at Bumbershoot 2010. Twelve semi-finalists will be chosen to perform live in February, with the finals taking place at EMP’s Sky Church on Saturday, March 6. Past up-and-coming bands include Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Schoolyard Heroes, and The Lonely H. Complete rules and the online application can be found here.

A few weeks ago Seattle City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco held a meeting for Queen Anne residents to discuss the five power outages that occurred on the hill during the month of September. I was not able to attend this meeting due to illness, and it’s taken me some time to gather the information that was covered (apologies on the delay!).

The first power outage occurred on Thursday, September 10. It was a scheduled power outage so that crews could repair and upgrade power lines in the vicinity of 8th Ave W and W McGraw, however a number of the people affected were not notified ahead of time due to a combination of clerical and human errors. The next outage was on Wednesday, September 16 and was unplanned, affecting 6,566 for just over an hour. A planned outage was scheduled on the morning of Saturday, September 26 to repair damage from the previous blackout, which led to another unplanned outage later that day, that affected 11,975 people for three and a half hours. Repairs could not be made as they required access to a vault that had energized lines, so power was re-routed to accommodate those without. The last outage occurred the next day, Sunday, September 27, knocking out power to 10,003 (approximately the same bunch affected by the outages on September 16th and 26th, though not all) in Queen Anne and Magnolia for much of the night. Some customers were out of power for as long as seven and a half hours. And again, repairs were not able to be made due to the energized vault, so power has continued to be temporarily re-routed.

So what ultimately caused the outages? Here’s what City Light had to say,

The three unplanned outages are all related to (basically) the same cause – old, deteriorated underground equipment. The underground cables are more than 30 years old. In the mid-1970s, City Light used the technology available at the time to install its underground system. This included directly burying cables into the ground. That means there was no protective conduit encasing the cables. Over time, the cables have deteriorated. Heat, water and age have caused the cables to crack and ultimately fail. We are seeing the results of this deterioration now. Because budgets for maintenance have been delayed or deferred, needed repairs and/or replacement haven’t occurred. Nearly 40% of the 2500 miles of underground cable in City Light’s system is in this condition.

Eager to handle the situation before the winter months set in, City Light scheduled another planned outage on Monday, October 26 to make further repairs to the underground electrical distribution system. This outage was primarily around Seattle Center. And whatever they did, it seems to be working, considering there were no more spontaneous outages in October. But in order to ensure the issue is fully resolved, City Light has said it will be replacing approximately four to six block of underground cable that is “in need of attention” around 8th Ave W and W Galer. They estimate the work will take between four to six weeks, and is scheduled to be completed before the new year. “Customers in this area may experience one or two planned outages as a result of the work,” City Light Communications & Public Affairs Director Suzanne Hartman wrote. “However, customers will be notified.”

Friends of Lower Kinnear Park (FOLKpark) has been awarded two grants from the city for restoration and development of Lower Kinnear Park in Queen Anne, totally $15,750! The first award, in the amount of $15,000, is part of the Department of Neighborhoods’ Small and Simple Grant, for the hiring of a landscape architect to develop a plan with the community for the enhancement of the park. Although the majority of the funds will be allocated to the landscape architect for a conceptual design for Lower Kinnear Park, FOLKpark will be holding three public meetings in January to gather input from stakeholders.

The second loan was for $750 through the Community Outreach Startup Fund to help launch FOLKpark’s community outreach efforts. This money has gone to basic supplies for the committee’s events and group meetings. Both loans are part of the Department of Neighborhoods’ Matching Funds program.

FOLKpark’s main objectives are:

• Getting more people into Lower Kinnear Park by increasing passive and active uses of the park and strengthening neighborhood connections to and within the park.
• Sustaining Lower Kinnear Park’s natural setting as a unique urban forest offering visitors a retreat from the bustle of the city.
• Telling Lower Kinnear Park’s story and celebrating its significance to Seattle’s history.

FOLKparks has organized volunteers clean-up events in Lower Kinnear Park both in September and October, and they’re just getting started with their community outreach. According to FOLKpark Steering Committee Chair Deborah Frausto, the group will be launching their new website, to better connect the organization with the community it serves, later this week. They meet twice a month – on the first Tuesday and third Thursday – from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Queen Anne Neighborhood Center, located at 160 Roy St.

There will be a memorial procession this Friday, November 6 for Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, who was shot and killed on Saturday, October 31. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will take part in the procession, which will leave the University of Washington at 9 a.m. and travel to the Key Arena for a memorial service.

The procession is expected to last from 9 a.m. to noon. The Seattle Department of Transportation expects severe congestion near the procession path, as traffic will not be allowed to be on or cross the route, which includes Denny Way and 1st Ave N in Queen Anne. There will be no parking along the procession path and Seattle Police Department officers will manage all intersections. 1st Ave N from Denny to Mercer, and Mercer St. from 1st Ave N to 5th Ave N will be closed for the procession arrival, and other roads around Seattle Center will be closed to traffic and parking prior to the event.

The memorial service at Key Arena is open to the public. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and the service will begin at 1 p.m. There is no procession planned for after the ceremony.

The procession will take the following route from UW to Key Arena: begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m. Download a map of the procession route here (.pdf).

At 8 a.m. this morning the Seattle Department of Transportation began repairing a severely damaged portion of Elliot Ave W, between W Mercer Place St. and W Prospect St., blocking off the two right northbound lanes. Because the work will involve replacing 18 inches of concrete and asphalt, which will need time to cure, the right curb lane will remain closed overnight and will reoppen for traffic by midday tomorrow, Thursday, October 5.

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously to allow backyard cottages on all eligible lots in the city this week, opening up the option for homeowners who live on lots larger than 4,000 square feet to add a detached dwelling. This decision comes after more than a year of meetings, tours, testing and briefings, when the council agreed to expand the development standards from the test market of southeast Seattle to the rest of the city. There are several requirements for eligibility: The property owner must live in either the principle structure or the backyard cottage for at least six months out of the year, the cottage must comply with the five foot setback rule, cannot be more than 800 square feet, and the main house and detached home cannot take up more than 35 percent of the land. The entire bill can be read here.

The new Seattle School boundary maps have been released and Queen Anne and Magnolia are still within the Ballard High School attendance area. Under this plan, all Queen Anne high school students would be assigned to Ballard.

The district did make some changes to the map regarding assignments of those students who live east of Greenlake. To read about the full changes to the Ballard assignment plan, read the story at our sister site, My Ballard. As part of the Student Assignment Plan (.pdf) which was approved in June, the district was given the green light to draw boundaries around each school so students will know where he or she will go to elementary, middle and high school based on their address. There will be no more district-wide open enrollment to apply for schools. Click here to enter your address and view your school assignments. The School Board will vote on the final draft of the school assignment plan on November 18. The entire plan will be implemented in phases starting in the 2010-2011 school year for students at entry-grade levels – kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades.