Native birds of prey will be center stage at FCA's annual community "Nature Night" on Thursday, April 12, starting at 6:30 at the Hall at Fauntleroy.

 Becky Barker, a specialist with the Woodland Park Zoo's raptor center, and Sue Minger, a naturalist and bird expert with the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation in Everett, are collaborating on a lively and informative presentation for all ages.

The stars of the show, though, will be the birds. Plan to have an "up close and personal" look at some of the amazing raptors who rely on healthy habitats for survival in this region and, in turn, help maintain ecological balance.

An update on Puget Sound's Orcas from research done this winter by Fauntleroy native Mark Sears will also be on the program. He is an associate

researcher with the Center for Whale Research and the Whale Museum. Mark won't be able to attend but Nature Night host Bob Best will ably summarize his findings.

Come early and stay late to visit with neighbors over refreshments and browse the information tables. Newly arrived Fauntleroy resident Scott Allen has invited several nature-related groups, programs, and upcoming events to be represented.

Parking for the Hall at Fauntleroy (in the former Fauntleroy School) is on the west side of the building, off S.W. Barton. As a courtesy, please do not park in the church/YMCA lot.

Nature Night is free to one and all as another FCA service to the community. Donations will be accepted but not expected.

FCA will kick off Seattle's annual "Spring Clean" of parks and other public spaces with a work party on Sunday, April 1, at Cove Park.

Organizer Mardi Clements promises volunteers a bit of "foolish fun" with Fauntleroy neighbors and a feel-good reward for beautifying this much-used pocket park adjacent to the ferry pier.

Bring gloves, weeding tools, and enthusiasm, she advises. FCA will provide juice and cookies and Seattle Public Utilities will provide garbage bags, free disposal, and a certificate of appreciation. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; come for as long as your schedule allows. Children are welcome with adult supervision. For everyone's safety, dogs are not.

If you would like to create an additional spruce-up project in the neighborhood or join one elsewhere in the city, call SPU's Spring Clean coordinator at 233-7187. The official dates are April 1 to May 14.

If you know of large items in a park, street right-of-way, or other public property that should be disposed of, call the Seattle Conservation Corps at 684-0190.

If you've seen Cove Park lately, you've noticed that a "snag" has appeared on the beach.

This 10-foot, steel-reinforced, concrete replica of a tree trunk and branch is the base of Tom Jay's final art installation for the park: a bronze raven with a glistening disk in its beak.

Native lore credits Raven with stealing the sun and creating the world. The Trickster bridges light and dark, transforming everything in its shadow. When Raven is present, magic is in the air!

Watch for Raven to perch on the branch soon. A stone marker will describe the work and relate it to other art at Cove Park.

By Gary Dawson

In the fall issue of this newsletter, I described the growing problem of the ferry queue - how it often extends beyond the north end of Lincoln Park onto 47th Avenue S.W. and down Lincoln Park Way, sometimes as far as Beach Drive.

Since this situation developed last summer, the severe congestion, blocked driveways, and potential for restricted access for emergency vehicles have become intolerable for the affected residents.

The obvious solution - fewer cars - won't happen anytime soon. Without state funding for passenger-only ferry service between Southworth and downtown (for which we continue to advocate), many peninsula residents with jobs on this side don't have the option of leaving their cars at home.

And as our region grows, the volume of vehicular traffic to and from the Fauntleroy terminal also grows.  The problem has now escalated such that, at times, the queue is almost unmanageable from a community-safety standpoint. Can you imagine what more growth on Vashon and the peninsula will do to our residential neighborhood?

These facts make solving the queue problem NOW even more urgent. Currently, the only traffic management is on Fauntleroy Way, where contracted off-duty police officers direct traffic at the terminal entrance. Neither the state nor the city funds control of the queue as it snakes north.

The position of the Fauntleroy Community Association and the Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee is that the city must acknowledge jurisdiction in this matter and assist the community toward prompt resolution. Whether a street-safety problem is caused by a baseball stadium, an opera house, or a major employer, the city - not the neighborhoods - has historically taken the lead in solving it. Why is a ferry terminal any different?

After a second walk-around with representatives from the community and (this time) the Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Transportation staff offered to study the situation and, as they had said before, help us apply for a neighborhood matching grant to fund the design and construction of a traffic diverter. If installed at Fauntleroy Way and 47th S.W., the diverter would force drivers in the queue to merge with southbound traffic on Fauntleroy Way and discourage them from queuing along 47th.

As well meaning as this suggestion might be, it places responsibility on the community where it doesn't belong, plus it is woefully shortsighted. Faced with a growing queue, the city must collaborate with us to apply the best available expertise to a long-term solution.

We are working through the Department of Neighborhoods to schedule meetings with representatives of other city departments to instill a greater awareness of this complex problem. If you would like to be part of this process or perhaps write a timely letter, please e-mail or call me or any other FCA director or officer.

In addition to contact information, you'll find FCA's Web address on page 7. Our site will link you to the City of Seattle's Web directory of all departments.

Like everyone else near the ferry terminal, Lincoln Park, and now Lowman Beach, I am tired of the dangerous driving, the blocked driveways, the noise and air pollution, and the "attitude" associated with the queue. If we can get the city to hear us this time, to realize that we're not going away, we have a chance to make significant progress.

By Mary Ashby

To date, 11 households have received warm greetings upon their arrival in Fauntleroy, thanks to FCA members who have requested "Welcome to the Neighborhood" gift bags for their new neighbors.

These gift bags are generating much positive response as the perfect way to greet newcomers. Recipients have expressed surprise, appreciation, and the pleasure of finding they have chosen a truly great neighborhood, as many of us have known for years!

The welcome bag contains useful information about FCA, local transportation, city resources, our parks and creek, ArtsWest and other features of West Seattle, safety, and much more. A jar of homemade jam compliments of Ann Dawson and a bar of homemade soap from Fauntleroy’s own Cedar Creek Soap Company round out the bag.

Several weeks after receipt of the gift bag, we do a follow-up mailing with more helpful information.

To extend Fauntleroy’s wonderful hospitality to someone new down the block or down the hall by giving a welcome bag, contact Mary or Mike Ashby at 938-4806 or mikeashby@home.com.

In the early 1930s, I knew two down-and-out men who lived on Skid Road. To make a fresh start, each of them somehow got hold of a rowboat. One rowed to Maury Island to make a fresh start and the other rowed to Blake Island.

If you look out your window here in Fauntleroy, you'll see that the trees on the south end of Blake are taller. That's because that end has always been state school land. The part that was once privately owned has been logged twice but the old-growth trees on the school land have never been touched.

 The best of the four creeks I recall on the island comes out near the state marina. A smaller one comes right through the center of the school land, where over time it formed just about the only flat piece of land on the south end of Blake. That's where this fellow decided to squat and become a bootlegger.

Now "bootlegger" derives from the manner that men who made whiskey during Prohibition. The bootlegger would hide a pint inside his boot and, when a customer came along, he would reach down and slip it out.

The fellow built a shack out of beach wood and assembled a still to make what people called "alkee" (al-KEE). I'm not sure how it was spelled but that's how it was pronounced.

As you look past the south end of Blake, you see Colby on the peninsula. At that time, Colby had a busy sawmill and a store. This bootlegger bought his staples there, as well as apples for his mash. He also used fruit from trees he planted up above the beach. You might find some of them still there.

The fellow charged $2.50 for a gallon of alkee in a clear glass jug. Most of his customers seemed to come to him.

I was about 20 years old then and had a job towing logs and other things up and down the Sound. Whenever one of his towboats had a tow to the Colby mill, the owner would say, "You stop at that bootlegger on the south end of Blake Island and get me a gallon of that alkee."

My partner, Rudy Arness, and I made

that stop several times. The day we were pulling four sections of alder logs north in Colvis Passage was typical.

When we got to Blake, I let Rudy off in the skiff to row ashore to the bootlegger's while I made a wide circle into Yukon Harbor. It was quite a rig to turn around for the sake of getting a gallon of that alkee but in about an hour I came full circle and there was Rudy with the jug and a big smile on his face because he knew what we would do.

When he got onboard, we poured off a quart of that alkee and stashed it where the boss wouldn't see it. Then we topped off the jug with water!

As always, the towboat owner was glad to see us when we got back. "Did you get the alkee for me, boys?" he asked. "Did you get the alkee?"

"Oh, yes, sir," we assured him with a straight face. "We have it for you!"

"I tell you, that's the smoothest alkee I've ever had!" he said.

The owner never discovered why! As was typical, that undiluted alkee was very strong and our quart lasted Rudy and me quite awhile.

We each live in this community for a reason. Some of us came for the parks, others to be close to the Sound, and many because of family history that makes it "home." Some of us even came here by accident years ago and decided to stay.

Whatever your reason, I'll bet you're here because you like the fact that Fauntleroy isn't just a place but a community with that "neighborly" feeling.

Our businesses have a lot to do with that feeling. Just up or down the street from where you live are retailers, services, and other businesses that add life and texture to the neighborhood.

The Original Bakery has for years offered a warm and comfortable gathering spot within walking distance. Some mornings, a goodie and cup of coffee at this "Fauntleroy City Hall," together with a warm greeting from the folks there who've helped shape this community, get the day off to a good start.

More connections are made everyday as parents drop off their kids at the Fauntleroy Children's Center and seniors work out at the "Y." Within a block, you can try a new hairstyle, have your teeth cleaned, enjoy an invigorating massage, order flowers for that special occasion, or get your dog groomed.

We are fortunate to have business neighbors who offer services and products we need at a scale that fits well into the community - and not just in the "business district" at Endolyne.

Two decades ago, a dedicated group of volunteers transformed the mothballed Fauntleroy School into several spaces for small businesses, in addition to the nonprofit children's center. Some are very local and others have a worldwide reach.

You're probably familiar with at least the smell of the fine food catered by the folks at Tuxedos 'n Tennis Shoes Catering! Their Hall at Fauntleroy hosts receptions and other events in the former auditorium and gym. On the north end of the landmark building, Seattle Civic Dance Theatre draws both ballet and jazz students, among them many of our youngest residents.

Businesses in former classrooms include firms that sell equipment to radio stations, trade internationally in specialty grains, and create interpretive signage and exhibits throughout the country.

The connection among businesses, institutions, and residents is a vital part of the place we call home. Over the course of about an hour the other day at the Saffron Cow, I ran into four neighbors I hadn't seen in weeks. The same evening during dinner at Puerto Escondido, I overheard Fauntleroy families talking about school projects, whom they saw crossing the street, and the house on the corner that just went up for sale.

Foot traffic - whether for pleasure, exercise, to visit friends, attend church, or shop - helps make this a more neighborly and safe community, plus it reduces the need for parking.

I hope to see you out patronizing our business neighbors or at least getting acquainted (see the accompanying list). I think you'll find each of them another good reason to be proud of where we live.

BUSINESSES AT A GLANCE

Dahn Design. Interpretive signage and museum exhibits; 923-2853.

Dawson Design Associates. Commercial interior design; 932-3102.

RF Specialties of Washington. Radio transmission equipment; 937-8575.

Seattle Civic Dance Theatre. Jazz and ballet for all ages; 938-3062.

Tuxedos 'n Tennis Shoes Catering. On location or at the Hall at Fauntleroy; 932-1059.

Winsor Trading. Import and export of specialty grains and buckwheat hulls; 937-4082.

West Seattle Nursery has a plant holding yard on the school playground.

Canine Casa Pet Salon. Grooming services for dogs and cats; 932-4446.

Douglas Holmes, DDS. Family dental services; 937-4540.

Fauntleroy Massage. Therapeutic massage and acupuncture; 937-4140.

Fauntleroy Mini Storage. A secure place to put it; 938-1308.

Gail Ann Gallery. Portraits, fine-art photography, and gifts; 371-0585.

Mary Ellen Ramey, Attorney. Specializing in bodily injuries, wills, and estates; 938-1313.

Original Bakery. Fresh-daily breads, sweets, and custom cakes; 938-5088.

Puerto Escondido. Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner; 935-8595.

Saffron Cow. Full-service eat-in or take-home deli with fresh dairy and produce; 923-1729.

Salon Fauntleroy. Full-service hair care and products; 937-5175.

Wildwood Bed & Breakfast. Hospitality in the neighborhood; 819-9075.

Wildwood Florist. Fresh flowers and floral gifts and supplies; 933-2822.

Cat's Eye Café. Comfort food throughout the day; 935-2229.

Lincoln Park Texaco. Service station and mini-market; 935-2607.

WANTED: YOUR REFLECTIONS

We would like to hear from readers about what makes Fauntleroy special, for you and/or other members of your household. A few words on a postcard or in an e-mail to the editor (see back page) will give us "fodder" for an upcoming issue.

BURGLARY RING TARGETING WEST SEATTLE HOMES

West Seattle started the new year with an off-the-chart increase in burglaries, as some Fauntleroy residents know all too well.

According to Wayne Lennon, a crime prevention coordinator with the Seattle Police Department, 1986 was the worst year for residential burglaries in West Seattle (from Alki to Arbor Heights and Puget Sound to the Duwamish). That year, 2,144 were reported.

The number has decreased almost every year since. In 2000, West Seattle residents reported 714 burglaries, which is a drop of roughly 60-percent over the past 14 years.

A lot of that decrease, Wayne noted, is because neighbors have been looking out for each other, many as part of an organized block watch. Nearly 70 block watches are currently active in Fauntleroy (census tracts 116, 120, and 121).

MODUS OPERANDI

This past January, though, the line for home burglaries soared off the chart. West Seattle residents, including some in Fauntleroy, reported 87 burglaries during the month, which is nearly double the 47 reported in January 2000.

"This increase is most likely because a ring of burglars has been working the area," Wayne said. Their "modus operandi" in generally as follows:

• The would-be burglars knock on the front door. If someone is home, they use varying stories for why they are there, then leave. If no one is home, they gain entry through an unlocked door or open window or they break in.
• They ransack the home, looking primarily for jewelry, electronics, and cash, and stack the items for removal.
• They transfer the items to a vehicle, possibly using a rollaway container such as a recycle bin.

IMMEDIATE ACTION

As the police work the problem, Wayne said, area residents can take action:

Call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious - strangers entering yards on your street or knocking on a door and then walking around the house.

Call a block-watch meeting to talk about the increase in residential burglaries and encourage all neighbors to be attentive.

"Communicating with your neighbors is the best way to keep your block watch active and involved," Wayne said.

Organize a block watch if you don't have one. Tim Shaw, the crime prevention coordinator for our side of West Seattle, will help you do it. Call him at 684-7719.

"If you live in a condominium or apartment, an organized watch is just as important," Wayne said. "Building residents should get to know one another and how to report crimes or suspicious situations."

BURGLARY RESISTANCE

"A watchful and alert neighbor is your best burglar alarm," Wayne emphasized. If your house is somewhat isolated and hard for neighbors to observe, though, he recommends a monitored alarm system (one that calls the police if activated). Also ask your neighbors to have a look if they hear the alarm go off.

"Buy a good system," he advised. "A faulty system that causes a lot of false alarms will be costly. You'll get a bill for every false alarm the police respond to."

Other things he recommends doing to make your home more "burglary-resistant:"

• Have and use deadbolts on all exterior doors.
• Vary behaviors that might signal that you're not home, such as which lights you leave on or how you set the drapes when you're gone for the weekend.

• Install one or more motion-sensor lights at the back or side of your house. Unlike a light that's on all the time (using electricity!), the sensor will pop on the light to alert you when something moves.

• Trim bushes that could prevent neighbors from seeing someone trying to gain entry through a door or ground floor window.
• Say no to anyone who calls wanting to come by right now to sell you products or services you haven't asked for; reputable companies don't market that way.
• Adopt a policy of not doing business at your door unless you know the solicitor. Listening to sales pitches or requests for donations can invite scrutiny of your home.
• Review the outgoing message on your phone answering system; "We're not home right now" tells burglars exactly what they want to know.

"All these things are important," Wayne concluded, "The most important, though, is having a watchful neighbor you know and trust."

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PARK WORK PARTIES. Friends of Fauntleroy Park coordinates monthly work parties on the second weekend from 1 to 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Upcoming dates are March 10 and 11, April 14 (no work party on Easter, April 15), and May 12 and 13.

Also, the steering committee will meet April 7 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fauntleroy Church library.

For information about work parties or a preview of the steering committee's agenda, call Friends Coordinator Karen Farnsworth at 935-5313.

MUSICAL. Students at Explorer West, a nearby middle school, are busy rehearsing their production of "Annie," a lively musical for all ages. It will be Thursday and Friday, March 29 and 30, at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church. Tickets at the door will be $12, with children 10 and younger free. Call the school at 935-0495 for details.

COMMUNITY FORUM. The social concerns committee of Fauntleroy Church will host a free community forum on homelessness at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18. The speaker will be David Bloom, a long-time homeless advocate with the Church Council of Greater Seattle. For more information, call the church at 932-5600.

FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Our Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee will host the South Sound Ferry Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 17, in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church starting at 6:30 p.m.

Ferry-system managers and staff, as well as representatives from Southworth and Vashon, will attend; the public is welcome. Agenda items include operations, traffic concerns, fare increases, and funding for the next fiscal year. For details, call Gary Dawson at 937-7163.

DINNER-AUCTION. The annual dinner and auction to benefit the Fauntleroy Children's Center will be Saturday, April 21, in the Hall at Fauntleroy. Catered by Tuxedos 'n Tennis Shoes, the dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction will get under way at 7:00. Guests are encouraged to dress in accord with this year's, "Shades of the '70s" theme. Jim Dever and County Councilman Greg Nickels will be masters of ceremony and former deputy mayor Bob Watt will be the auctioneer.

To donate an item to the silent or live auction or to make dinner reservations ($40/person), call Center Director Kim Sheridan at 935-9590. FCA is sponsoring a table. Proceeds will help fund tuition assistance, staff training, and a playground upgrade at this 20-year-old Fauntleroy institution.

COMMUNITY MEAL. If you would welcome a free and nourishing hot meal or know someone in the neighborhood who would, mark Sunday, April 29, on your calendar. The youth of Fauntleroy Church will prepare and serve a hearty lunch in Fellowship Hall between 1 and 3 p.m. as part of an ongoing service coordinated by West Seattle Help Line. Contact Help Line at 932-4357 for free tickets and more information.

FCA ANNUAL MEETING. The Fauntleroy Community Association's annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church. Board members are putting together an interesting and informative agenda that will include the annual election of officers. If you have suggestions for the agenda or could help in some way, call Bruce Butterfield at 932-2400.

COMMUNITY-SAFETY PARTNERSHIP

If you would like to keep current on public-safety issues and trends in our area, attend the monthly meetings of the West Seattle Community Safety Partnership (formerly the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council).

Each evening meeting customarily opens with a summary of police activity from the South Precinct and then focuses on a particular interest, such as juvenile crime, car prowls, or restitution. Speakers and panelists are specialists from a variety of perspectives. The partnership also organizes forums on "hot" public-safety topics.

Forums and monthly meetings (at the ArtsWest Playhouse) are free and open to the public. Watch the "Public Meetings" column in the West Seattle Herald for dates or call 933-0340.