Beach Drive Blog

Keep an Eye Out for "Clam Diggers" on the Beach

West Seattle Blog reports that digging up 100+ clams on the beaches along Beach Drive.   Not only is this unhealthy, it's illegal and needs to be reported to the proper authorites.  Be on the lookout for a copper/gold Suburban-type SUV with plate starting with 861, blue and white cooler.

Update 8:30 pm: catch the rest of the story at West Seattle Blog.

This is from a concerned BDB Reader who contacted officials while dealing with a moon-shell harverster (who has been seen as recent as this week back on the beach poaching shells).

Emma Schmitz Park is a City of Seattle designated Marine Reserve, AND a Washington State Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) designated Marine Preserve. City rules ask that people not remove anything from the beach.  WDFW Marine Preserve designation make removing anything from the beach a misdemeanor.  This encompasses the area from high tide to minus 4.5 (extreme low water).
 
I have the new 2009 Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Fishing in Washington guide, which contains all the sport fishing and harvesting rules.  We are in Marine Area 10, found on p.114. This states there is no harvesting at Marine Preserves. You can get these at no cost from most sporting goods stores.
 
You can also find this information on line, but it's confusing navigating through all the WDFW options.  I've attached the page in the Fishing Regulations from the website.  Scroll through the attachment to find Marine Area 10.
 
You can call State Patrol for violations in progress, and you may also call the WDFW Bellevue office.  Please let me know if you would like me to get the phone numbers for you.
 
Thank you for your concern for our beautiful parks and the animals that live in Puget Sound.
 
Please let me know if you need more information.
 
Please come out and visit with Beach Naturalists in the area on low tide summer weekends, if you can.  I'm attaching a flyer.  Beach Naturalists do a lot of educating about why we don't take any materials except trash from our beaches.
 
Janice Mathisen
Seattle Aquarium
206 386-4365

Harvest violations?

State Patrol  (for violation in progress) for Richmond Beach and Seahurst Park call (206)464-6610.  Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife: Individuals that witness and would like to report a violation, can call toll-free 1-877-933-9847, or 1-800-477-6224 for wild animal encounters.

Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

July 28, 2009

Dear Community Friends,

Hot Weather Safety Tips:

The following are some tips from the Washington State Department of Health:

q       Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible unless you are sure your body has a high tolerance for heat.

q       Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.

q       Eat more frequently but make sure meals are balanced and light.

q       Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle.

q       Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing or wrapping them in warm blankets.

q       Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help.  If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.

q       Make sure pets have plenty of water.

q       Salt tablets should only be taken if specified by your doctor.  If you are on a salt-restrictive diet, check with a doctor before increasing salt intake.

q       If you take prescription diuretics, antihistamines, mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs, check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat exposure.

q       Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. Awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering a house by as much as 80 percent.

If you go outside:

q       Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler; then gradually build up tolerance for warmer conditions.

q       Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.

q       Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun block and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors.

q       At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage.  Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better.

q       Avoid sunburn: it slows the skin's ability to cool itself.  Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.

q       Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly or very young people.

For more information, click on the following links:

• Hot weather precautions 
• Beat the heat
• Tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Summer safety for children  
• Keeping pets healthy in the heat

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2009! Seattle’s “Night Out” must be completed before July 31, 2009.  Take a few minutes, go to:  https://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/swregister.htm. 

Registered blocks will be granted free street closure for Tuesday, August 4, 2009.  Information on registered blocks is shared with the Fire Department so they are aware of streets that will be closed.

Picnic at the Southwest Precinct is Saturday, August 15, 2009 from 1-4 pm!

All Southwest Precinct community members are invited to the 2300 SW Webster St. to enjoy a day of dancing, music, food, magic, balloons, raffles! Meet your local officers, SWAT and other specialty units and get a chance to take a precinct tour!

Resources To Keep You Informed

Police Blotter, http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/

Subscribe to SPD: Crime Blotter http://feeds.feedburner.com/SeattlePoliceSouthwestPrecinct

Police Blotter, Megan Sheppard, West Seattle Herald http://www.westseattleherald.com/news/police%20blotter/

West Seattle Blog, Tracy Record, Editor http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=4988

Seattle Police Department main web pagehttp://www.seattle.gov/police/

Southwest Precinct Web-page http://www.seattle.gov/police/Precincts/Southwest/default.htmSeattle

Police Crime Statistics http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/crime/stats.htm

For More Information Call: Benjamin Kinlow,

Crime Prevention Coordinator, (206) 684-7724 or email benjamin.kinlow@seattle.gov.  Check out www.seattle.gov/police/precincts/southwest/prevention.htm

The Seafair Fleet

I don't recall ever seeing this much military so close to home in Puget Sound....'tis the season for Seafair!  It was amazing to watch the ships position for their grand entrance to Elliott Bay for Fleet Week.

Below is USCG Bertholf with USS Shoup following in the background.

 

 

Above are USS Shoup (on the left) and USS Momsen (right).

 

 

Above is the USS Momsen.  Below is Canada's HMCS Brandon.

The USS Momsen corners Alki Point to Elliott Bay...imagine the view for those homes!

 

Last but not least, from the Canadian Navy, HMCS Nanaimo.

Last Night's Moonset over Southworth

 

HOT Dog Report: Excessive Heat Warning until Thursday Night

Normally with extreme weather, we'll post a "barking dog" report... this weather is nothing to bark about.   My poor old pug is lying low and panting in front of a fan.

According to the Seattle City forecast, we're in for some very hot weather--possibly hitting the 100's thru Thursday.

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THURSDAY...

TONIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS IN THE 60S. NORTH WIND TO 10 MPH.

TUESDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE 90S TO 100. NORTH WIND TO 10 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS IN THE 60S. NORTH WIND TO 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 90S TO 103. LIGHT WIND BECOMING NORTHWEST 10 MPH OR LESS IN THE AFTERNOON.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE 60S. EAST WIND TO 10 MPH.

THURSDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE 90S TO 100. 

Air conditioning in the Seattle area is not common.   This is a good time to reach out to neighbors, those who might need some extra help, to make sure they're staying cool.   You don't need to wait for Seattle Night Out next week to visit with your neighbors--which by the way, we only have until July 31, 2009 to register if we're closing down a side street or want the Seattle Police Department to stop by.

 

Osprey's Lowtide Lunch

Friday and Saturday's Sunsets

Friday's sunset and...

Saturday's sunset are compliments of Mother Nature.

Otters in the early hours

Garage Sales along Beach Drive

If you have a garage sale, send me an email (contact info above on the upper left corner), we're happy to promote neighborhood events here.    This morning, I noticed one at 5410 Beach Drive SW starting at 10:00 a.m. today and Sunday.   Looks like there's another up on  Jacobsen too.

If you stop by, be sure to tell them you heard about their sale from Beach Drive Blog.

Gagging Dog Report - P U!

Typically I'll do a "Barking Dog Report" to alert neighbors of potential flooding during a storm.  However this morning, we have to ask "ooh, what's that smell?"

We have shut all our windows with hopes that the tide coming in will hurry and wash away the stench of what must be hot, musty kelp and critters.

I was blaming it on my husband and the dog earlier...but even they can't take credit for this smell.

And now... some Skynyrd with "That Smell"