Why Are There So Many Red Buoys With Flashing Lights Along The Shores Of The Lake, Near The Beach Club?

BUOY ON LAKE WASHINGTON

(courtesy of KAI WIKSTROM, Northwest Sportsman) 

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has recently deployed numerous nets, with orange buoys and flashing lights, along the shores of Laurelhurst, several near the Beach Club, all the way up to Windermere.  

Neighbors have reported that they saw a boat pulling up the nets, approximately 200 feet apart, some containing fish, and then slightly moving them to another location in the same general area. 

The nets are for the tribe's "warmwater test fishery" gauging predator fish populations and what they consume, according to Northwest Sportsman.

In March, the nets were deployed along the east side of Lake Washington.  The  project goes through next month rotating around the Lake. The tribe filed a federal permit and agreement that it would not harm ESA-listed fish, and that it is being done independently of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the article.

A bass angler said in the the Northwest Sportsman article:

These gill nets are a hundred yards long, and strategically placed in areas with high fish traffic.  These nets need to be removed immediately, and will have an adverse effect on not only the fishery, but the ecosystem itself. Gill nets destroy everything they touch, and will undoubtedly snag anything that swims by them, including many fish species, bird species, turtles, frogs, beavers, and everything else in the Lake Washington ecosystem.

A notice filed this week by the Muckleshoot Tribe provides some details on the effort, including that netting began yesterday and will close this Friday, then recur Mondays through Fridays. Up to six boats are allowed to work a maximum of 24 3.5- to 6-inch-mesh gillnets with a max length of 300 feet each. Tribal biologists and enforcement officers will monitor it.

Chillingly, two northern pike were reportedly caught in the nets in the first day, according to a state biologist.

Here is the Northwest Sportsman article written in March.

Disturbing Graffiti On Cars - Update

On April 10, the Laurelhurst Blog reported about disturbing graffiti near the Laurelhurst Beach Club.

A neighbor told the Laurelhurst Blog at the time: 

Horrible to see this awful stuff at the Beach Club on a parked car and against the Beach Club fence. So mad and disappointed. We need to find these folks if we can. It’s awful.  The car that was tagged is a new neighbors’ car.  It was reported that the Police responded.

It was reported that a house in the area was broken into around 3am and the alarm went off and the folks ran away. 

Another neighbor recently told the Laurelhurst Blog:

These are very young guys (a clique) from the neighborhood who do the same vandalism and damages to the cars,making scratches, break-ins all over and more. 

We observed one on the Boulevard in the last couple of years and he even may live in the area, riding a medium size bike. He has a very loose unpolished street behavior.  Perhaps work part time at QFC.  The group is extremely fast and very damaging.  We attribute lot of these looting activities to these guys and have contacted QFC and alerted the manager. 

Disturbing Graffiti In Beach Club Area

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information today:

Just saw this awful stuff at the Beach Club on a parked car and against the Beach Club fence. So mad and disappointed. We need to find these folks if we can.  It’s awful.  

And apparently a nearby house was broken into around 3am and the alarm went off and the folks ran away.  

The car that was tagged is a new neighbors’ car.  Another neighbor said the police responded. 

Live Stream Of Eclipse At NE Branch Library

The NE Branch Public Library (6801 35th Avenue NE) is having a NASA Solar Eclipse Live Screening from 10-noon today.

The information says:

Join us in watching NASA's Live Eclipse Megacast as the solar eclipse moves across the continent!  All are invited to watch this rare celestial event on our digital signage monitors! NASA's live coverage of the solar eclipse moving across the U.S. will include a wealth of images captured before, during, and after the eclipse by eleven spacecraft, at least three NASA aircraft, more than fifty high-altitude balloons and the astronauts aboard the International Space Station – each offering a unique vantage point.

And starting at 8:30am, the NE Library will hold another event at the Bryant Neighborhood Playground (40th Avenue NE and NE 65th Street), as part of the Summer of Learning program.

The information says:

Watch the eclipse from the Bryant Neighborhood Playground while learning more about this cool astronomical phenomenon. The moon will cover 92% of the sun at around 10:20 am.

The Laurelhurst Blog has learned that neighbors will also be viewing the eclipse from the Laurelhurst Park and Beach Club.

Eagle And Baby Eagle Sightings in the Neighborhood And Talaris

The Laurelhurst Blog has received inquiries about how the baby eagles are doing at Talaris, where a long time eagles nest is located, just off of 41st Avenue NE.

Over the last several years, neighbors have been keeping Laurelhurst Blog informed of the baby eagle activity.

Recently neighbors wrote to the Laurelhurst Blog:

Have you heard any update on the eagles at Talaris?  It looked like eagles were sitting on the nest earlier in the spring. We wonder what has happened with the babies now.

I saw five eagles last week! All were in the air, though. I assumed two were juveniles, as I couldn't see white markings, but I didn't have binoculars. The problem is, I have not seen activity at the nest specifically, so those could have been eagles from either nest. Or do they mingle? They were circling above the Talaris campus, however.

Neighbors have also recently reported about other eagles nest:

There is another eagles nest on 55th Avenue NE and we saw two extra heads in the nest.  Please let neighbors know not to shoot off fireworks on July 4th, out of consideration of the eagles and of the dogs in the neighborhood.  We are also very curious about the eagles at Talaris. 

We saw two adults, and a younger eaglet, or fledgling, were being harassed by crows last weekend on Surber Drive and NE 41st Street. We also saw 7 playing in the wind about a week ago south of the Laurelhurst Beach Club.

 

Last July a neighbor sent the above picture and update about the eagles nesting near Talaris:

The chicks seem to be doing fine.  They mostly stand around and wait for food.  They are starting to whistle for food now.  By the time they go the neighbors, at least some of us are not sad to see them go.   

If there is a breeze one will stand on the edge of the nest and practice flying jumping into the air in small hops.  They are making trips out of the nest onto nearby branches.  If they follow past years,  they will be fledging toward the end of next month or so.

Last March and in May 2014, eagle chicks were sighted by residents on Surber Drive. In April of last year, a neighbor sent a video of the activity.  And in early 2013 there were more baby eagle sightings.

In September of 2013, residents were concerned about the eagles when suddenly a black vinyl fence was put up around the nest. Neighbors were again concerned last May when many reported hearing dump trucks and seeing a digging machine too close to the eagles nest. 

Please send your sightings and pictures to the Laurelhurst Blog Staff at laurelhurstblogger@gmail.com.

Neighbors Report Homeless Man Near Beach Club And Tent Near Bus Stop

Several neighbors have reported a homeless person who has been camping at the Beach Club entrance.

Neighbors commented: 

We have seen a homeless man with a shopping cart headed down hill towards beach club.

The homeless man was around the Beach Club today, 10/19, and he ended up camping/sleeping near the entry gate.  Several neighbors called the police. 

The homeless man has been hanging out near the bench close to the Beach Club entrance. He seemed a bit agitated and was looking up the hill watching any activity.  

There was a man with a knit hat and grocery store cart that we noticed was camping near the Beach Club last week. 

When we called the police about the homeless individual, they mentioned that notifying the Laurelhurst Blog,  neighborhood watch groups and of course, 911, will help keep our neighborhood safe.  

It is not legal to sleep in our neighborhood unless you own or rent a home or may be invited by a resident or renter.  

On 10/22, I saw a homeless man pushing a grocery cart west on NE 41st Street and the corner of 50th Avenue NE. It seemed from his belongings he had camped in the neighborhood somewhere.  

We saw a homeless man pushing his grocery cart down Surber Drive to the lake front lot at the end of the block. He passed right by me with a blank stare and continued. 

We have heard that the homeless man has been reported more than once this month by nearby neighbors. Police have come and he leaves for day or so.

A neighbor also commented about a tent near the bus stop saying: Do the additional police we pay extra monitor these areas? I saw a tent near the bus stop by Children's Hospital last weekend and was surprised to see that on their property.

Great Blue Heron Hanging Out At The Laurelhurst Beach Club

A Laurelhurst Blog reader sent in this picture of a Great Blue Heron sitting near the sailboats at the Laurelhurst Beach Club.

The reader said that usually late in the day this and one or two other herons appear for a few hours and hang out all together on the dock.

The last day for general use at the Laurelhurst Beach Club for members is on Saturday and Sunday at 9:3am is the Closing Work Party.

Flattie For Rent Or Purchase To Laurelhurst Beach Club Members

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

Laurelhurst Beach Club Members - I am leasing my Flattie at the Beach club this summer.  My shoulder was just replaced so I can't sail this year but I can give instructions on how to go fast.  Every Monday night Regattas all summer with other Flatties. Buy option also available.   

Email Charlie at crhampson@yahoo.com.

 

Pictures of "Blood Moon" Eclipse From Near Laurelhurst Beach Club





A Laurelhurst Blog resident sent the Blog these photos taken last night near the Beach Club.

The Blog staff saw about 30 people right outside the Beach Club with a variety of cameras watching the eclipse.

Many people were also seen at the Park and all over the neighborhood standing outside their homes, on street curbs and other vantage points watching the occurrence, that hasn't happened since 1982 and won't again until 2033.

Heavy Wind Results In Many Downed Trees, Branches And More

The Laurelhurst Blog received these pictures of damage from the wind over the week-end. Neighbors reported huge branches fallen at the Laurelhurst Park, large oversize heavy branches falling onto and streets and boats and benches moved around at the Beach Club.

 

 

At the Beach Club a neighbor reported seeing chairs, inflatable rafts, buoys and other items being blown down the lake by the heavy wind in the large waves. Sail boats, benches, potted plants and even the raft in the 3s area was blown into the dock.

 

 

On 46th Avenue NE in front of the school, a very large heavy branch fell into the street, narrowly missing several cars on either side of the branch. School staff and neighbors reported they were unable to move the large branch out of the road as it was very very heavy. Several hours later the branch was removed and cut into smaller pieces.

And here is another picture of a fallen tree across NE 33rd Street and West Laurelhurst Drive.



Windermere President's Home For Sale Near Beach Club



The president of Windermere, OB Jacobi, recently put his on the market for $3.2 million. The house is long and narrow house and is just a few doors down from the Beach Club on Laurelcrest Lane.

It has many interesting features - mostly made of concrete, built right up against the hillside to maximize the space and fit onto the narrow lane, directly across the street from the beachfront homes, to mention a few. OB's father and family reside in a beachfront property just adjacent.

Kim Dales, an agent with Windermere, told the Blog Staff that "it is not waterfront, but feels like it and of course you can just walk down the lane to the Beach Club. The home is custom built, well maintained, and is original owner."

Business Journals recently posted this information:

Patti Payne's Cool Pads: OB Jacobi, president of Windermere Realty, lists home for $3.25 million

One of realty’s local royalty, OB Jacobi, president of Windermere Realty, is selling his 6,100-square-foot home in Laurelhurst. It just came on the market for $3.25 million.

Jacobi built it 11 years ago on Laurelhurst Lane, a private lane and now is moving a short distance away, downsizing to a neighborhood nearby. 

Jacobi lived on this same lane in Laurelhurst when he was 10 years old. Years later, when he was 28, and when a property became available, he chose to build right across the street from his father. 

That property he bought had an old house dating back to the 1920s which had become dilapidated. Jacobi chose to take it down and build a large stately Craftsman-style home with concrete and steel “bones,” as he describes it, steady as a rock. 

“There are 300 cubic yards of concrete in that house,” he says. The floors are about five inches thick and there is radiant heat under the flooring. 

On the inside you wouldn’t know it’s steel and concrete, as it is designer-done, with an open floor plan and distinctive contemporary finishes. 

Located across the street from Lake Washington, the home has a long footprint so that almost every room has a stunning water view. 

“The whole thing is oriented to the lake,” Jacobi says. 

Honeyed tones and earthy textures run throughout the more than three stories of living space which includes open living and dining areas and an inviting chef’s kitchen with array of sophisticated stainless appliances. Next to the kitchen is a luxurious outdoor living room with views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier. 

There are four bedrooms in the home. The master suite, with its walk-in closets, has a spa bath and fireplace. There are five wood burning fireplaces throughout the home, a game room, theater, two offices and a wine cellar with a Mediterranean feel.         

Jacobi’s favorite things about the home? 

“It’s on a lane that is super safe for kids. No cars drive by. It is four doors down from the beach club where my kids go all the time,” he says. 

He loves that it is a great house for entertaining, with a special covered deck and Tiki bar, and a chandelier out there that Jacobi calls very special. 

“In the Shrek movie where he gets married, there is a wedding scene at the end, with chandeliers. I asked my iron worker if he would make me one just like it. So we actually have the Shrek chandelier lighting the covered deck. It’s very, very cool,” he says.

(photo courtesy of Puget Sound Business Journals)

Shoreline Improvement Work Has Begun On 51st Avenue Street End Next To Laurelhurst Beach Club

Shoreline before


Project in progress photos:

 

 

  

 

Shoreline Street End improvement work at the 51st Street NE street end site, next to the Laurelhurst Beach Club, began this week. SDOT mailed out postcards (pictured above) to the area neighborhoods.

The work will focus on increasing views of Lake Washington and public access for community members with the following improvements:

• Creating a level area with a bench
• Removing overgrown vegetation to increase visibility
• Enhancing access to the water with timber steps
• Removing two parking spaces nearest the site to accommodate new bicycle racks and pedestrian access to the site

The Laurelhurst Blog Staff talked to the architect and Seattle Parks representative (pictured above) who said several neighbors have already given positive feedback saying that the improvements "opened up their views."

 

The Seattle Parks representative said that there will be several paths leading to the water, including an ADA trail, a picnic table, shrubs, burms and other design features making it user friendly.

 

SDOT says about the project and eight others that were selected as SDOT capital improvement projects to be completed by the end of 2015:

 

The Shoreline Street Ends Program works to preserve and improve public access to our waterways, with projects focused on Seattle’s 149 public streets that end on waterfronts.  

Street ends are selected for improvement based on a prioritization scheme that came out of a 2009 analysis that examined gaps in shoreline access, open space, and accessibility.  

A landscape architecture firm is designing all nine Shoreline Street End capital projects.

For  more information go here or contact the Laurelhurst Community Club.

Rainbow Last Night At The Beach Club



A Blog reader sent us this picture taken last night about 7pm at the Laurelhurst Beach Club.

He said it was a very windy night there with only four people at the weekly movie night.

The Blog reader also added that  said only two people braved the water for just a few minutes - one person doing laps and a lone child trying to get on the rolling log.

Possible Squatters Set Up Camp Next To The Beach Club



 



A neighbor out for a walk last Monday, discovered campers, or perhaps squatters, who had set up tents and a bonfire with a fire pit and pans on the public access shoreline right next to the Beach Club.

The neighbor wrote:

I was out taking a walk and the waterfront area next to the beach club, at the end of the parking lot,  had two tents pitched and people there.  I didn’t get too close as both of my daughters were with me, but I could see one man putting a shirt on.   

There was a red, older model Dodge pickup truck parked there as well, which may or may not belong to the people spending the night in that area.

When I went back a few hours later, the tents were gone, but the people were still there, as well as the red truck.   

Another neighbor reported that the following day around 3:15pm the red pickup was still there and there were at least two people that he could see.  One was African American and young-upper teens or 20’s and a young white male.

The neighbor also said that lots of cardboard and trash had been left, and that "it would probably take a good hour to clean up the mess,"

 

Vivian, Aquatics Land Manger, with Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) told us that WAC 332-52-310 prohibits camping at day-use facilities. 

“Day-use areas and facilities" means any department-managed lands, trailhead, picnic area, viewpoint, and designated parking areas for vehicles, boat launch or other facility that is designated for day-use only. 

And the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) said that the paved part, where the parking lot is, is shoreline street end.   The area on the other side of the fence, dividing the parking lot and the shoreline access, is State waterway, which doesn't allow camping.

 

Six Homes Damaged In 3 Alarm Fire Yesterday Near Beach Club

Burned house at 5131 NE Laurelcrest Lane
(photo courtesy of King5/Seattle Fire Department)

A furnace explosion just after 3:30pm yesterday started a house fire at the unoccupied home under construction owned by Adam and Laura (Szlyk) Selipsky on the 5100 block of East Laurelhurst Lane.

The fire spread to two  homes next door, one to the south, owned by Jeff Hussey, and the other to the north, owned by Gina Trask.

The embers from the fire also started a small brush fire on a nearby hillside, according to Seattle Fire Department spokesman Kyle Moore.

Embers from the brush fire also landed on three other rooves of homes, as well as damaged siding on another home, just above East Laurelhurst Lane, on NE Latimer Place.

Helicopters were overhead for about 2 hours filming the fire and TV crews were on the ground on NE 41st Street.

About 100 fire personnel arrived on the scene, with firetrucks coming from throughout the city and even Bellevue, one nearby resident told us. Firecrew and PSE stayed at the scene until about 7pm.

One construction worker was taken to Harborview with facial burns and two firefighters were also taken to Harborview,  one for heat exhaustion and the other for a minor injury.

One nearby resident commented "I wonder if there has ever been a previous time with this many fire trucks and firemen in Laurelhurst at one time." And another resident added " We feel badly for those families whose houses were damaged."


.

Entrance to Laurelhurst Lane

(photo courtesy of SeattleTimes)

 

 

NE 41st Street

(Photo courtesy of Seattlepi.com)

 

 

Firefighters running down 51st Avenue NE 

(photo courtesy of Blog reader)

Traffic on NE 41st street

(photo courtesy of Blog reader)

 

 

 

 TV crews on NE 41st Street

(Blog Staff photo)

TV crews on NE 41st Street

(Blog Staff photo) 

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) van and workers on NE 41st Street

(Blog Staff photo)

 

 

51st Avenue NE 

(Blog Staff photo)

Bottom of 51st Avenue NE near the Beach Club 

(Blog Staff photo)

 

Looking up 51st Avenue NE from near the Beach Club

(Blog Staff photo)

 

 

 

Intersection of 51st Avenue NE and NE 41st Street

(Blog Staff photo)

50th Avenue NE

(Blog Staff photo)

 

 

 

 (Blog Staff photo)

(Blog Staff photo)

 

 

News and photo sources:
Seattle Times Blog
King 5
Seattle P-I Blog

Video of the Fire:
King 5

Location of the fire:
Google Map

Laurelhurst Beach Club Board Accepting Applications For General Manager Position

The Laurelhurst Beach Club is actively looking for a new General Manager for this summer,.  The previous manager for the past three summers is not returning.

The Board sent us some information about the open General Manager position, which among many duties detailed below, is responsible for managing the lifeguard, front desk and sailing program staff,  as well as overseeing the business administration and facilities maintenance and reports to Beach Club Board President and Chairpersons.

The position requires strong leadership and organizational skills, experience working with children and families, and

is also responsible for providing outstanding customer service and creating and maintaining an environment that is safe.  

Here is the job description:

Duties:

• Hire, train and supervise the Lifeguard Manager, Front Desk Manager and staff, Facilities Manager position,  Sailing Program Manager and staff
• Manage staff and handle personnel issues
• Monitor staffing plan and establish procedures for personnel reviews
• Schedule and facilitate weekly staff meetings.
• Develop and oversee monthly In-service training programs for staff to promote safety. 
• Liaise with the current Business Manager  to establish cash flow, budget and payroll procedures
• Report all income and expenses (including wages) to LBC Treasurer and operate within the approved LBC budget
• Lead training and certification of lifeguard staff prior to opening day in early June.
• Provide staffing or ensure senior guard on duty during all hours of operations.
• Be available on call.
• Hours to be present, at a minimum, Wednesdays-Sundays during the season (early June – Labor Day in 2012).
• Enforce all club rules.
• Oversee and conduct daily safety checks of LBC equipment and the surrounding beach club area, and report problems to
• the appropriate person(s).
• Ensure that facility, including club buildings and grouds are well-maintained and clean
• Review and/or create and update all procedural practices and manuals (emergency procedures, cleaning check-lists,
• opening and closing procedures, check-in procedures, supply ordering, store purchases and sales, etc.)
• Coordinate and manage special including 4th of July, Kids Overnight, Adult Party, Ice Cream Social, Movie Nights, Summer Sailing Series and Sailing Instruction camps.
• Recommend and implement additional summer and off season events to provide the membership opportunities to utilize
• their club.
• Recommend membership policy changes and LBC rule changes as needed.
• Provide LBC Board with post-season review – summary of staff evaluations & recommendations, and maintenanceand facility recommendations.
• Ensure facility is opened-up properly for start of season.
• Supervise administration and tracking of swim tests levels for children under 12.
• Supervise members and guests – including tracking access to the club.
• Monitor security program for the LBC.
• Supervise concessions sales/ice cream program.
• Coordinate and manage kayak and paddle board program.

Off-season duties:

• Manage staff selection process – solicit and accept applications, conduct interviews, create job descriptions and
• employment contracts.
• Work with LBC chairpersons to create staffing budget for upcoming season.
• Develop the LBC operations plan – shift responsibilities, rotations and schedules.
• Work with the LBC board to develop LBC calendar, LBC schedule, LBC hours, etc.
• Review and/or create procedural manuals and update as necessary.
• Create a training plan for staff – certification updates, initial in-service and then monthly in-services.
• Work with LBC Board to determine list of “To Do” items for pre and post season work parties.
• Order all appropriate supplies and materials for staff and facility, as needed - guard uniforms, safety equipment, sailing
• equipment, front desk supplies, ice cream program supplies, etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Needed:

• Ability to positively interact with members and guests.
• Work outdoors and will include exposure to all types of weather conditions
• Knowledgeable in areas of maintenance, personnel supervision, and public relations. 
• Must hold current Red Cross CPR and First Aid certificates as of the date of hire
• Ability to carry out task initiatives, work under minimal supervision; demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Prevent accidents through rule enforcement; remain calm in emergency situations, analyze and correct facility hazards and establish and implement facility emergency procedures.

The salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience, ranging from $15,000-$17,000 for the season with additional  seasonal bonus eligibility.

Send resumes to lbcjob@gmail.com