March 2009

Recently I was interviewed by Jeannie Yandel on KUOW about my life as an educator and activist. I mentioned that I decried the system of segregating people by age in our society and hoped that I would never end up in my polyester pants sitting in a rocking chair without interacting with younger people.

A young boy in second grade heard the interview and wondered if I could be one of the giraffes his teacher had been talking about--giraffe meaning anyone who sticks one's neck out to change things.

His mother called me and asked if she could bring her son over to meet me and soon we were sitting in my office talking about what
it means to be a giraffe.
 
When asked what I did to reach out to make a difference, I answered that I was an activist who was either a founder or founding member of
many groups in the Seattle area. I related that I had gone to a special meeting in downtown Seattle many years ago where changes were

Seattle Storm’s ownership group, Force 10 Hoops L.L.C., was awarded Business of the Year from the King County Municipal League at a ceremony Wednesday, March 25.

The Business of the Year award honors a business that has made the most outstanding contribution to the community.

The Municipal League awardees were nominated by the public, evaluated by the league's Civic Awards Committee and approved by the league's trustees. The league created the Civic Awards in 1960 to honor a diverse array of community leadership.

This year's ceremony took place at the Seattle Art Museum, where co-owner Dawn Trudeau accepted the award. Co-owner Anne Levinson was also present to accept the award.

This Saturday, March 28, the Leif Erikson Lodge, Sons of Norway in Ballard will host Tastes of Norway/Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be presentations and demonstrations of many traditional Norwegian handicrafts, music, song, dance and food take place during the day. Judge local pickled herring for yourself and find out who makes the best according to your tastes. Artists demonstrate weaving, rug tying, and knitting.

Rose painting, or rosemaling, is a traditional craft dating from the 1700's and many items will be featured with this elaborate painting style of Norway. Local genealogy researchers will be available to assist you with your questions about your Norwegian ancestors.
 
See our beautiful bunader or Norwegian folk costumes which represent the unique areas of Norway at the bunad parade at 3 p.m. Entertainment includes at 10 a.m. Tre Norske with their fiddles and accordion music; at 11 a.m. Richard Svensson on his accordion; at noon the Norwegian Male Chorus of Seattle; 1 p.m. Norwegian folk dance performance by the children and families of Barneleikarringen, and at 2 p.m. the Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle.
 

Today, March 26 at 4:59 a.m., Southwest Precinct patrol officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress. The victim reported that this was the second time in two weeks that his home was burglarized. The victim told arriving officers that the suspect had fled and was last seen in the alley.

Patrol officers conducting an area check made contact with some additional witnesses who indicated that the suspect had fled into a nearby residence. Officers made contact with the suspect and arrested him. Officers located the victim’s property from both the current and the previous burglary. Southwest Precinct burglary detectives responded to the scene and will take the lead in the investigation. The suspect was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.

Today, March 26 at about 11:11 a.m., Southwest Precinct patrol officers responded to a report of people trespassing in a vacant building in the 3800 block of 19th Avenue Southwest. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the complainant and owner of the building in question. The officers proceeded to enter the building in an effort to search for anyone who might be there unlawfully.

Once inside, the officers made contact with an adult male and an adult female. As they did so, their pit bull charged at the officers. One of the officers fired his duty handgun at the dog once, striking it and injuring it.

Both suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Seattle Animal Control responded to the scene and took custody of the injured pit bull. Both suspects were transported to the Southwest Precinct for questioning. It is expected that they will both be booked into King County Jail for Criminal Trespass. The -condition of the injured dog is unknown.

One month after the last note was played at Capitol Hill's now-defunct King Cobra, a part of that bar will live on at Ballard's Bit Saloon.

Up the Punks, a free, weekly punk night, lost its home when King Cobra went out of business Feb. 27. But, the Bit Saloon is resurrecting it March 30 with help from bands the Americommies and A Global Killer.

Bit owner Ed Konek said Up the Punks will take place every-other Monday and will still be free as long as there is an interest and Pabst Blue Ribbon, which sponsors the event, will keep paying for it.

Drew Smith, drummer for the Americommies, played Up the Punks when it was still at King Cobra and said that night always had a good vibe.

Smith has never played at the Bit, but his friends tell him its a great venue and he's excited to break-in Up the Punks there, he said.

The regular punk night isn't the only thing the Bit Saloon inherited from King Cobra. Konek said ex-King Cobra booker Justin Wojslaw and a few bartenders have made the switch as well.

Smith said Wojslaw has a reputation for taking care of bands, offering them money for gas and drinks.

Downtown Ballard is getting two new restaurants as O'Shan Sushi opened for business March 26 in the old Austin Cantina location on 24th Avenue Northwest and Plaka Estiatorio, a Greek restaurant, will be opening soon on 20th Avenue Northwest, just south of Market Street.

Popular Ballard eatery La Isla at 2320 N.W. Market St. received a permit from the Seattle Department of Planning and Development March 18 to expand into a portion of the now-empty Bella Consignment next door.

O'Shan Sushi, at 5809 24th Ave. N.W., is owned by Chun Kim, who worked at Bento Sushi, which opened at 85th and 15th in 2001. Kim's father, Yong, owns Bento and is the head chef at O'Shan.

Plaka Estiatorio will be opening soon for lunch and dinner at 5407 20th Ave. N.W.

Jason Mikos at La Isla said the restaurant had been wanting to expand for some time, and Bella's recent closure presented the easiest opportunity for that.

La Isla will stay open for much of the construction, which is about eight to 10 weeks away, but it will be closed for one to two weeks while work is done with the adjoining wall, Mikos said.

The Seattle Department of Transportation today launched the Traveler’s Information Web site, which provides real time information on traffic conditions for major arterial streets in Seattle as well as nearby highways.

The trip planner features color-coded roadways indicating traffic volumes as well as easily accessed images from city and state roadside cameras. It also displays information about traffic impacts from ongoing incidents or planned events, ensuring the public has all the necessary information to select the optimal route.

“Part of our ongoing investment in intelligent transportation systems, the Traveler’s Information Web site shows residents the fastest ways to get around,” said Mayor Greg Nickels in a statement. “With a few clicks on our Web site, motorists and commercial drivers can now select the best routes throughout the city.”

The Traveler’s Information Web site additionally features:

-An interactive Virtual Earth map that allows users to zoom in for
additional details;

-Roadside camera images that can be viewed merely by hovering over a
camera icon;

-Constantly updated incident and planned event information, mapped for

“And the tide rises, the tide falls.” Henry Wordsworth Longfellow

During the last few years who hasn’t wondered what is going to be the final product of construction and renovation on the dock just south of Ray’s Boathouse? Whether you remember the business as a former ferry dock, Golden Tides nightclub or an Azteca Mexican Restaurant, people are very curious about what will next be unveiled at 6017 Seaview Ave. N.W.

The site owner is Ballard High School alum John A. Goodman, president of Goodman Real Estate, founder of Pinnacle Management Services and chairman of numerous other business affiliates, such as Triad Development.

Purchased through a business entity called GRE, Golden Tides LLC it is still unclear whether the property will be for business or personal use. A generous contributor to local causes such as Ballard High School Foundation and Boys & Girls Club through his company and The Goodman Foundation, Goodman is reticent about media attention. I’ve heard him referred to as one of Seattle’s “stealth millionaires.”

Former Seattle Sonic player, James Donaldson announced today that he will be running for mayor of Seattle against incumbent Greg Nickels and north Seattle resident, Mike McGinn.

Former Greenwood Community Council President and north Seattle resident McGinn announced his campaign for mayor Tuesday, March 24.

Donaldson, who owns a small business in MIll Creek, said he hopes that in these challenging economic times, he can bring a different perspective and fresh approach for the people of Seattle.

As mayor, Donaldson said he would initiate performance audits in every city office. He said based on those audits he would work with the city council to re-invent government in Seattle.

Donaldson also said he would appoint a Blue Ribbon commission for small and large business leaders to make recommendations on how the city can become more business and job friendly and ensure that the current viaduct replacement tunnel proposal addresses better solutions and access for the Port of Seattle and for the northwest corridor of Seattle.