February 2009

King County Metro Transit bus service is back to normal operations after Thursday's snowfall, according to the county.

Roads in the immediate area are clear of ice and snow throughout the service area. Crews have been patrolling local roadways overnight looking for ice and slick roads that could disrupt bus service.

After Thursday morning’s snowfall and dropping temperatures overnight, there was concern that highways and local streets could become icy for today’s morning commute.

As of 5 a.m. today, transit staff report normal driving conditions. But, everyone is urged to take care in traveling to and from the bus, because there could be isolated icy spots on overpasses, roads, shoulders, and sidewalks.

On Thursday morning, bus travel was hampered by varying amounts of snow throughout the county and significant traffic delays for about 15 Metro routes.

A few days ago, I announced my candidacy to lead and reform King County. I did not take this decision lightly. The responsibilities of the King County Executive, who oversees a $5 billion government that serves nearly two million people, are immense. And the challenges awaiting the next Executive are unprecedented.

While King County remains a great place to live, the threats we face today are serious and growing: Our economy is in trouble, our people are hurting. At a time when people need help the most, King County government is faced with declining revenues, unmet human service needs, spiraling criminal justice costs, rapidly expanding transit demand, and a critical need to protect the clean air, water and food we rely on to support our quality of life. 

I believe that we can deal with these issues - but only if we are willing to look beyond business as usual. At this moment of change for our nation, King County needs change as well. Now is the moment to clear away that which is no longer working, improve that which is, and build an efficient, modern government that delivers for citizens across King County.

After nearly 10 years in Ballard, Madame K's is being sold and will no longer operate here.

It's probably a matter of weeks before the Italian restaurant, famous for its brothel-like atmosphere, will close up shop and become something else, said owner Kirsten Burt.

"It's sad and it's a good time," said Burt from her home in Carnation, where she has recently opened another restaurant, Lazy K's.

Burt said the decision to sell had nothing to do with the economic downturn but that her "heart has just not been in it." Her new endeavor, she said, has taken up much of her energy and time. She said hasn't been very involved in Madame K's operations for the past four years.

"It was just time to make a decision," she said. "I need a new challenge. It is sad-- it's a magical little restaurant."

Burt also has a home in Sunset Hill, so she won't be leaving Ballard altogether. She said she will greatly miss her employees and regular customers, but much of the reason she has decided to sell the business is the shift in the community's character from when she first opened 10 years ago.

The West Seattle Herald last visited Highland Park resident Merritt Sherman one year ago when he turned 99. This year his fans at Highland Park Elementary School held a birthday party for the spry centegenarian, born a mere 177 years to the day after George Washington. That was under the Roosevelt administration…That’s Theodore, not Franklin.

He is the oldest living graduate of that school, and was its crossing guard for 17 years, retiring four years ago. According to the school's administrative secretary, Margaret Young, the highlight of Mr. Sherman’s birthday party assembly was his birthday cake, complete with 100 candles.

"It took four teachers to light them and four students to help him blow them out before they all melted in a mass of candle flames. We used those long match sticks so that no one would burn their fingers,” she explained.

The assembly ended with 400 students robustly singing, “Happy Birthday To You, Mr. Sherman.”

“The kids got a big kick when I told them that I rode my horse, Tinky, to grade school with my sister, Mildred,” said Sherman.

'zaw, one of Ballard's many new pizza purveyors, had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Ballard business community Feb. 26.

Greg Waring, owner of 'zaw, said the company, which also has locations in Capitol Hill and South Lake Union, did informal focus groups in various neighborhoods and found that Ballard had a lot of interest from busy professionals who didn't always have time to cook.

'zaw opened for business at 5458 Leary Ave. N.W. in mid-December and specializes in take-and-bake pizzas.

The Ballard Trader Joe's is set to open March 6 in the Ballard Blocks development.

The shelves are mostly stocked and the employees are being trained for the grocery store, which will be the second business to open in Ballard Blocks, following L.A. Fitness.

The Ballard Trader Joe's will the the fourth Seattle location for the national chain and the 13th in Washington.

After combining their two West Seattle offices in January, Prudential Northwest Realty Associates has announced another change.

Mike Gain, the former owner of Prudential Northwest Realty Associates and Cayce & Gain Real Estate, and a 30-year veteran in the greater Seattle real-estate industry, has assumed the management of the Puget Sound Company--which currently has 575 agents and a relocation firm headquartered in Bellevue, WA.

Gain has assembled a leadership group to assist him in the firm’s ongoing operations. Roger Cayce, Michael Smith, and Al Lynch will make up that team.

Roger Cayce, Gain’s business partner for more than 30 years, will assist and consult in operations activities.

Michael Smith, former owner of Prudential Michael Smith Realtors, brings 36 years of real estate experience to the company, and will head up the firm’s eastside operations, including Business Development and Corporate Marketing Services.

Al Lynch, former manager of the firm’s West Seattle/Jefferson Square office with over 20 years in real estate experience and an extensive background in business and finance, will serve as the firm’s chief operating officer.

Council members Tom Rasmussen and Nick Licata say they are offended that Mayor Greg Nickels and council member Jan Drago allegedly knew the state Legislature would not include funding for improvements in its stimulus package for the Mercer Corridor before the council voted this earlier week to release funding for the project.

“The need for crucial information to the council I think has offended a number of council members to authorize construction,” said Rasmussen. “I think council members who voted for this construction are considering receding the authorization because they were not given complete information from Drago who is the chair of transportation.”

The council members sent out a joint statement earlier this week expressing their disappointment.

On Monday, both, along with council member Sally Clark, voted against releasing lifting the remaining spending restrictions on the Mercer Corridor and allowing construction to begin. But it passed 6-3.

Seattle Transportation estimated the Mercer Project to cost $116 million. Currently they have secured $52 million and a reported $64 million, 55 percent, of non secured construction costs is still needed.

Sidewalk repair that started earlier this month on the south end of Ballard Avenue moved north Feb. 23 and is affecting businesses along the street, according to some business owners.

Krystle Dyksterhuis at Cugini Cafe said business had been down by 25 percent since construction started in front of the cafe, and Liz Steaning, manager at Bark, said she has seen business cut in half.

"We just try to grin and bear it," said Brad Kelly at Bark.

Giavonna Duque, owner of Duque Salon and Spa, said the construction out front of her store is killing sidewalk customers.

"See that guy walking by," she said. "He didn't even notice anything was here."

It's not only the war-zone appearance out front, but the removal of parking, which is already scarce in Ballard, caused by the sidewalk repairs that is hurting business, said Linda Arkin at Lucca.

Jill Andersen at Horseshoe is trying to see the positive side of construction, which is causing rocks and gravel to scuff up her floor.

"It's a gift that my floor is already distressed," she said. "I would be distraught if someone had just lacquered and polished it."

The West Seattle Food Bank announced today the elections of Dave Rosler and Dawn Nelson to its Board of Directors. 

Serving as the Board’s 2009-2010 Executive Committee are: President Pete Spalding, Vice President Cara Mohammadian, Secretary Shannon Braddock and Treasurer Corey Limbaugh.

“Even though we lost some great talent from our board last year, we are very fortunate to have some exceptionally committed West Seattleites helping us continue to meet the mission of the West Seattle Food Bank in these trying times,” said Board President Pete Spalding.

Board members contribute to the continued fiscal and operational strength of the West Seattle Food Bank through fundraising, oversight, and general support.

The food bank has been serving West Seattle since 1981 and as well as providing food to the needy in the community, offers nutrition education and aims to generate public awareness about hunger in the community. It also coordinates a range of community services for clients.