July 2008

Mayor Greg Nickels, behaving more like the would-be ruler of a city state than the chief official of a public municipality, has decided to ignore Washington State's long-standing firearms statute regarding the legal carry of concealed handguns by properly-licensed private citizens on city property.

He recently blustered during a press conference that he is banning all guns from city parks and other public areas - places that belong to all citizens, including those who are legally armed - by executive order, which is not subject to review by the City Council.

This arrogant

Plans to install a suicide-prevention barrier on the Aurora Bridge are moving forward as a citizen advisory committee continues to meet and discuss proposed designs.

The Aurora Bridge, officially named the George Washington Memorial Bridge when it was built in 1931, has the second highest rate of suicides in the United States after the Golden Gate Bridge.

Mayor Greg Nickels has announced new proposed regulations for building townhomes, spurring concern from builders worried about the impact on future developments.

Covering 10 percent of the city, newer townhomes have been an ongoing sore spot for single-family homeowners who oppose what they call cookie-cutter designs.

Nickels' proposal aims to ease these concerns by creating policies for townhome construction that increase community bonds and accessibility to more affordable housing.

A local woman's quest to save a house has been put on hold because available land is scarce in Seattle.

Margaret Todd wants to recycle the house previously owned by the 7th Elect Church of Israel, which sits on the land recently purchased by the city for the purpose of creating a new public park.

The city does plan on selling the house, but is expecting little or no profit from the sale because the cost to move a house is so expensive, said Donald Harris, property and acquisition services manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

"It is city property, but it's

Plans for the Olympic Athletic Club to turn adjacent property on Ballard Avenue into a $14 million, 29-room boutique hotel are back underway after trouble with financing the project caused delays.

Construction for the hotel was originally meant to begin in October 2007, but the recent mortgage crisis prevented the owners of the club from acquiring all the funding necessary, said Mark Durall, general manager and part owner of the club.

Durall said he is hoping for construction to get underway this year and the club is currently accepting bids from contractors.

Pico Corporation, owners of the new Pizza Picolino on 32nd Avenue Northwest, has entered a "Community Good Neighbor Agreement" with the city of Seattle over its liquor license.

As of this printing, the Washington State Liquor Control Board has not yet approved the liquor license and could make its decision soon.

The restaurant, set to open later this summer, generated controversy over its spirits, beer and wine license application with the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

Suzie is poured from family's mold

By Jerry Robinson

Meet Suzie Burke. The Iron Lady from White Center, schooled at Holy Family Elementary and Holy Names and now Queen of Fremont.

Eldest daughter of Joe and Florence Burke, she is poured from the same mold.

Charming, affable, a mind honed on a razor strap, Suzie was born to play keeper of the Burke legend.

I met Joe, now deceased way back in 1950, when he was living at the mouth of Salmon Creek, where it flows into the Sound in the Shorewood community of Burien.

East Ballard August Night Out Potlucks on Tuesday August 5 at 6 p.m. The East Ballard Community Association, in association with the 14th Ave NW Visioning Project, are closing down 2 blocks on 14th Ave NW (between NW 59th and 60th and between NW 62nd and 63rd).

Another block will be closed off to traffic on 11th Ave NW between NW 60th and NW 61st. Bring a dish to share and come meet your neighbors for this great East Ballard event!

Last weekend's 34th Annual SeafoodFest in Ballard was a feast for the eyes, ears, and of course, stomach, as musicians on accordions, electric guitars, and banjos serenaded thousands who shopped the colorful booths and ate salmon, seafood crepes, and even land-based goodies.

Some strolled to downtown Ballard from Sunset Hill while others came from a bit farther away, like Dorte Brandsrub, in from Denmark. She was supported by her Ballard family as she won the "Eighth Annual Slotky Memorial Couture Coverall Contest" as an 1800's era local.

Get ready to pay for those disposal bags at local stores.

Monday July, 28 the City Council voted to impose a fee on disposable shopping bags to encourage residents to bring their own reusable ones.

A separate ordinance also bans expanded polystyrene food containers.

"These new laws are an integral part of the City?s Zero Waste strategy-- and translating Seattle?s environmental values into concrete actions," said Council President Richard Conlin in a statement released by the city.

"They will help marine life, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and move ou