September 2008

Some nightlife venue operators in Ballard feel the mayor's new incentives won't do enough to help clubs and bars.

At a press conference last month, Mayor Greg Nickels announced a proposed tax exemption for live music venues as part of an incentives package to encourage the city's music scene.

The exemption would be on the admissions tax venues pay to the city and would affect venues that have a capacity less than 1,000 people, host live music an average of three times per week and hire an average of 16 musicians per week.

After the washout of Golden Gardens Drive last December, one of two main roads leading in and out of the popular beach destination, many residents have taken to walking instead of driving and out of that has blossomed the areas newest community group.

Throughout the neighborhood more and more people were walking around, which offered an opportunity to get to know one another.

The 2009-2010 proposed biennial budget is expected to include more than $9 million for a new initiative to prevent youth violence with a focus on children at highest risk of perpetuating violence or becoming victims.

The Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative will set a new direction by identifying and helping children who are at a vulnerable point in their lives by:

Assisting youth with repeat offenses re-enter society from state detention programs.

Providing alternatives for youth who are arrested for crimes but released because they don't meet t

The Washington Drug Card, which is free to all residents and provides savings of up to 75 percent on prescription drugs, can now be accessed by simply visiting any Safeway pharmacy location.

In the past residents were required to obtain and present a member card in order to receive prescription discounts through the program.

"This presented a problem as many uninsured and underinsured residents were not getting access to the program and this will solve that problem," said Eric Brown, development director for the Washington Drug Card.

As a result of their commit

At the international Pro Walk/ Pro Bike Conference, Mayor Greg Nickels was presented with a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community award by the League of American Bicyclists.

The award recognizes Seattle's commitment to, and investment in, improving conditions for bicyclists. More than four percent of Seattle residents commute by bicycle, 10 times the national average.

"Seattle is honored that our work on enhancing cycling citywide has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists," said Nickels.

As the fall season quickly approaches and people begin to close up their homes windows and doors, household pets are at higher risk of being accidentally lost. To protect pets the Seattle Animal Shelter continues its aggressive campaign to make sure pet owners license their pets.

"A license is like a life insurance policy for your pet.

While violent crime is down, some City Council members still get many complaints about graffiti, open-air drug markets and other crimes from citizens concerned about the safety of their neighborhoods.

So Seattle Council member Tim Burgess submitted the Safer Streets Initiative to the Public Safety, Human Services, and Education Committee for discussion.

The initiative is a series of 12 steps intended to cut down crime citywide through the coordination of the government and the private sector.

With city funds already tight, Burgess said the initiative should be

The dance hall was quiet recently when only 40 people came to the open house for the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Engineers and managers from the state and city departments of transportation stood at displays, ready to answer people's questions about reconnecting surface streets, increasing transit, restriping I-5, and replacing the viaduct itself - the different combinations of building blocks that make up each scenario.

A slide presentation played on a loop.

In the Sept. 17 issue of the Ballard News Tribune, incorrect information was given about the height of the suicide-prevention barrier on Aurora Bridge. The height of the barrier fence along the Aurora Bridge will be 10 feet. We regret the error.

Despite two furious comebacks and a small but shockingly fervent crowd, the Ballard High School volleyball team was unable to defeat Skyline High School, falling to the Spartans three games to two.

The Beavers dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while Skyline's victory put the team at 2-3 overall but 2-0 in the conference.

Senior Maddie Grant had 15 digs, junior Lisa Day had 22 kills and three aces, and senior Libby Singer had 29 assists for Ballard.

Ballard started the match off well, taking a 6-5 lead against Skyline in the first game and never