Arson fire similar to these shrubs set afire in June

Arson fire at 28th & Tilden

By reporter Steven Smalley

Between January and September of this year, Seattle Fire Department itemizes 10 arson fires set around the neighborhood, the latest reported by Magnolia Voice at 29th & Tilden. Here is their list:

Jan. 9 Recycle bin fire, 3822 23rd Ave. West
Jan. 9 Recycle bin fire, 23rd Ave. W & Armour
Jan. 11 Recycle bin fire that extended to garage, 2220 W. Emerson St.
Feb. 22 Cardboard boxes fire near back door, 3835 23rd Ave. W
Apr. 6 Fire to construction debris at residence under construction
May 11 Exterior hedge fire, 3502 29th Ave. W
May 12 Planter box fire, 2520 32nd Ave. W
Jun. 1 Exterior fence/hedge fire, 28th Ave. W & Grover
Aug. 28 Tree fire, 1400 Magnolia Blvd.
Sep. 4 Fire started on hedge, extended to residence, 3623 28th Ave. W

From a Seattle Fire Department website: “A series of set fires have occurred in the Magnolia neighborhood over the past few months. The majority of these fires have been intentionally set in recycle bins or in outside shrubbery/hedges. Two of the fires have spread to nearby structures”

The following is a list of things you can do to help prevent arson fires at your home, according to Seattle Fire.

OUTSIDE:
Secure home, garage areas and businesses by locking doors and windows.
Clean up wastepaper, grasses, weeds, litter, or anything that can burn from around buildings. Clear carport areas of all combustibles.

Locate dumpsters, recycle bins and yard waste containers at least five feet away from walls and roof eave lines. If possible, keep them in a secured area. Do not allow them to become overfilled.

Place locks on commercial dumpsters or keep in secured area. Locks may be available through your contracted service provider. Use only metal or metal-lined receptacles.

Residential customers can call Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 684-7665 to arrange for delivery and installation of locks for recycling and garbage containers.

Trim shrubbery from doors and windows to improve visibility.
Install motion-sensor exterior lights or consider leaving lights on.

INSIDE:
For businesses, check fire and life safety systems, including fire extinguishers, to ensure they are working and in compliance with codes.

For homeowners, test smoke alarms to ensure they are working.
Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Be sure it includes knowing all the exits and a meeting place.

If you have a fire extinguisher, know where it is located and how to use it.
Keep exit ways clear of items which could slow evacuation efforts.

Please report any information you believe may be related to arson to SPD’s Arson and Bomb Squad at (206) 684-8980 or the Arson Alarm Foundation Hotline at 1-800-55-ARSON or arsonalarm.org[1]. Those providing information may remain anonymous. If you see suspicious activity taking place, please call 911.

Suspected arson fires are referred by the Seattle Fire Department to Seattle Police for investigation as crimes. A Seattle Police representative tells Magnolia Voice these fires are still under investigation and cannot confirm whether any were set by one person.

Join Northwest Girlchoir in September! For girls and young women who love to sing, Northwest Girlchoir has openings for new singers entering grades 1-12 to join in the fun this fall. Learn musicianship, vocal technique, and performance skills, all while building lasting friendships in a supportive community.
During the span of four decades, Northwest Girlchoir has empowered and inspired thousands of girls and young women in our region to lift their voices in chorus with others. Choristers perform for thousands of audience members at concerts held across the greater Puget Sound Region and on tours nationally and internationally.
Grades 1-2: Easy online registration is now open for girls entering grades 1-2 to join Prep Choir! Enrollment for Prep Choir is open online until Friday, September 22. Members learn music in a fun and nurturing environment as they prepare for exciting mainstage concerts. Sign up online here.

Grades 3-12: Fill out the Audition Request form by Monday, September 4 to join one of Northwest Girlchoir’s five progressive-level choirs this season! Auditioned choir members enjoy performing at mainstage concerts, in the community and at special events, and even on tours. Learn more here.

Financial aid is available for every choir level and they encourage families to apply.  Click here  for more information, or call the office at (206) 527-2900.

Not sure who to vote for? A Candidate Forum featuring general election candidates running for local positions will be held Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. The Forum, moderated by retired County Councilmember Larry Phillips, will include short presentations from each candidate and community-focused questions on the elections. We encourage all members of the community to attend to hear, see and question the candidates. The Candidate Forum will be held at:

United Church of Christ – Pilgrim Hall

3555 W. McGraw

Please contact Carol Burton at (206)-691-1298 for more information.

Candidates for the following positions are expected to present: Seattle Mayor; Seattle Council Districts 8 and 9; Port Commissioners and King County Sheriff.

Please submit your suggested written questions for candidates by August 29 here. Written suggested questions may also be submitted at the event.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the mayoral candidate presentations will be pre-recorded on September 8 at 1:00 pm at the Nordic Heritage Museum at 3014 NW 67th St, Seattle, WA. All are welcome to attend the pre-recording.

This event is co-hosted by:  Magnolia Community Council, Queen Anne Community Council, Ballard District Council, Queen Anne & Magnolia News, Nordic Heritage Museum, Shilshole Liveaboard Association,  and The Coalition: Magnolia, Queen Anne and Interbay Neighborhoods. 

By Meghan Walker at our sister site My Ballard

The 29th annual Fishermen’s Fall Festival is just around the corner, an event that celebrates the return of the North Pacific fishing fleet to the terminal. On Saturday, September 23, the festival will take place at Fishermen’s Terminal (1900 W. Nickerson St., Seattle, WA, at the south end of
the Ballard Bridge) from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free.

“The Festival celebrates the return of the North Pacific fishing fleet to the terminal, works to increase the public’s knowledge of the importance of the fishing industry as well as Fishermen’s Terminal to Seattle while raising money for the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Foundation,” the organizers tell My Ballard.

The festival is a family-friendly event, with hands-on art projects with fishing themes, a wooden boat building and “Fishing for Fun” fish pond, live music and fishing information and demonstrations.  Proceeds from the activities within the festival will be donated to the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Foundation to assist families of fishers lost at sea.

To learn more, click here.