By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

It’s shaping up to be an action-packed summer schedule for the Admiral Neighborhood Association, based on the full agenda and lively discussions at the group’s meeting Tuesday night at Admiral Congregational Church.

Meeting highlights included a recap of plans for the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (lineup here) and Admiral 4^th of July Kids’ Parade (latest update here), a “summer activity” preview from SPD, and discussion about ANA’s new website (latest update here).

Ahead, toplines including what police had to say about the reported child-luring attempt in Admiral, as well as information about events that will interest even those who live outside Admiral:

SUMMER IS COMING, SO ARE THE CROWDS – AND OTHER INFO FROM SPD: Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Ken Mazzuca from SPD was in attendance to talk about recent crime prevention efforts, and the realities of the coming summer’s crowds. Mazzuca said that Admiral sits in an “interesting little place in West Seattle” through which people from all around the region travel on their way to Alki when the weather’s good. As summer approaches, SPD will be keeping a close eye on the area’s parks and neighborhoods (and Alki Beach itself, of course) to deal with the extra car traffic, crowds, and potential issues. Mazzuca said that things have been “relatively stable” recently with regard to low levels of criminal activity, and encouraged residents to always report any questionable behavior — and to “be specific” about what they see (make/model of car, clothing being worn, etc).

Attendees at the meeting expressed deep concern about the reported child-luring attempt in north Admiral reported here earlier Tuesday — Mazzuca said there isn’t a lot of detail to go on, but that a report was taken and has been forwarded to SPD’s “follow-up unit.” Mazzuca said it’s important for parents to explain to their kids that “strangers are strangers” and to always be on the lookout for suspicious behavior.  Attendees agreed that the incident is disturbing to hear about, but will hopefully spur some good conversations for families.

Metal and copper thefts are still an issue in the region (one attendee talked about a recent attempted theft from a garden area near Log House Museum), and Mazzuca encouraged residents to call if they see suspicious activity. Attendees also asked about the intersection of 47^th and Admiral, a chronic safety issue that ANA has been aware of for quite some time, particularly since the death of City Council staffer Tatsuo Nakata four years ago. Mazzuca took notes as ANA members offered suggestions for peak times to monitor the intersection (sunny Saturdays, weekday mornings during rush hour and school-pedestrian time) and reiterated concerns that they’ve shared in the past — the intersection is on “the list” for getting a traffic light but is currently #11 on a Seattle-wide list of 12. Attendees also talked about how summer traffic safety in the neighborhood could potentially be improved by making Bonair Dr SW a one-way road (similar to Atlas Pl SW near Lincoln Park), and they’ll discuss the idea further. Mazzuca also talked about the increased speeding patrols in West Seattle, especially on 35th Ave SW and the Admiral Way SW hill, and ANA members in attendance agreed that it seemed to be raising awareness of speeding in those areas. Finally, an attendee asked about starting a Block Watch in his neighborhood, and Mazzuca mentioned the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network (here’s their Facebook page and website).

ADMIRAL BUSINESS SURVEY: ANA president Katy Walum recognized two guests in attendance who do business in Admiral — Monica Skov from West Seattle Fabric Company and Eric Cozens from Mission Latin Restaurant & Lounge — and emphasized how crucial it is for ANA and local businesses to work together, citing Atomic Boys and Porterhouse as two examples of businesses ANA has talked with. With that in mind, Walum provided an update on the group’s efforts to kickstart the creation of an “Admiral business association” (not managed by ANA, but with ANA simply providing some organizational help). ANA will soon be hosting an online survey for local businesses, as well as a luncheon meeting for business owners in the area. Walum encouraged Admiral business owners to contact ANA at info@admiralneighborhood.org to get on the mailing list for the survey and for future updates.

LOCAL BEER DOES GOOD: Cozens, from Mission restaurant, talked about his involvement with the Löwman Bräu local beer project (update here). The beer, which is the brainchild of Jeff Gilbert of Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and White Center’s own Big Al Brewing (which is also going solar), debuts at 7 tonight at several local establishments, and proceeds from its sale will be donated by each establishment. For Mission, Cozens said they’ll be donating all of their proceeds to ANA’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, which drew a cheer from those in attendance Tuesday night.  Cozens encouraged West Seattle residents to get out starting tonight (venues here) and order a Löwman Bräu to support the cause.

JULY 4TH KIDS’ PARADE: As reported here, the popular kiddie parade in north Admiral at 10 am on Independence Day morning (which falls on a Monday this year) is a “go” for 2011.  Event organizer Sherri Chun was in attendance Tuesday night to talk about the event, which she said has been happening for about 17 years now. She said there have been challenges with the cost of the event (the parade permit is still the same cost, but the cost of the parks permit required for the Hamilton Viewpoint end of the parade has increased), but that Holy Rosary stepped up to fill the gap in funding.  Chun also said that she and the event organizers this year would be emphasizing the suggested (not required) donation of “$1 per child” for anyone who walks in the parade, to support the cost of putting the event together. Attendees at the meeting discussed the best logistical methods for doing that on the day of the event (i.e. collection boxes, people carrying signs, etc).

ANA President Walum said the group is excited to once again be a part of the parade, and will again be selling concessions (cookies, popsicles) at the parade this year. Walum encouraged local businesses to contact ANA and donate “cookies and sweet items” for the event.

SW DISTRICT COUNCIL UPDATE: Four ANA members were in attendance at the recent SWDC meeting, and ANA VP Karl de Jong provided an update. He noted that, among other topics, Bernie Matsuno, interim director of the Department of Neighborhoods, was at the SWDC meeting to talk about the proposed 12 percent budget reduction to programs involving neighborhoods and services.

NEW WEBSITE: ANA treasurer Ann Limbaugh reported that the group’s new website is now live, thanks to volunteer efforts from many ANA members. The goal is to use the site as the central location for ANA documents and news, to eventually retire the group’s Yahoo Groups site, and to add pages for topics such as planning, crime and safety, and community news. President Walum added that website visitors can make donations and buy clothing on the new site as well.

SUMMER CONCERTS: The popular summer concerts at Hiawatha Park start again on July 28th (all shows are on Thursdays at 6:30pm) and run through September 1st. Dave Weitzel announced that ANA currently has $9,900 in sponsorships for the summer concerts at Hiawatha, which will go a long way toward supporting the events, but the group is continuing to seek sponsorships and can always use more donations. President Walum talked about the strong lineup of bands and how the series is important “to maintain a community spirit.” Walum is collaborating with a number of partners on the logistics for the concerts (flowers, decorations, face painters, and possibly balloon animals for at least one show). Posters to promote the shows should be ready soon, and the group plans to start hanging them after the July 8-10 West Seattle Summer Fest (to avoid “overlap” with promoting the two events). Walum reminded the group that the August 11th concert will be held on Alki Beach (near the bath house).

DATES AND TIMES OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Wednesday June 22nd: WS Chamber’s “political candidate lunch forum” (West Seattle Corporate Center)
• Thursday June 23rd, 5:30-8 pm: SW Seattle Mayor’s Town Hall (Hiawatha)
• Friday July 8th through Sunday July 10th: West Seattle Summer Fest (ANA will be tabling on Saturday and Sunday)
• Saturday July 9th: Pirates land on Alki
• July 27 or 28 (TBD): WS candidate forum
• Tuesday August 2nd: Night Out Against Crime block parties
• Saturday September 17th: Adopt-a-Street Cleanup (9 am starting at Metropolitan Market)
• Saturday September 17th: Hiawatha Park Centennial Celebration

The Admiral Neighborhood Association meets the second Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, lower-level meeting room at Admiral Church. Next meeting is July 12.