The Locks provides a link for boats between the saltwater of the Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal connecting to Lake Union and Lake Washington.
Both tourists and locals enjoy watching the parade of sailboats, motorboats, tugs, barges and yachts passing through. Pass a sunny day watching boats of all shapes and sizes come into the locks, and the water level is adjusted to allow their safe passage to the lake or sound.
Dear Editor,
I read Chris Leman’s comment on "how to make Seattle government as open as it claims to be." After blaming Bush era thinking for the problem, he goes on to suggest solutions.
Since Seattle almost never elects Republicans to any office, the problem is not due to Bush but due to something else. I suggest the lack of openness is caused by ONE PARTY RULE in Seattle. The presence of a meaningful opposition party is society’s best defense of democracy.
One party control regardless of the party involved has always led to three things: Corruption, Lack of Concern with what the average person thinks, and Unchecked Government control over the citizens. The reason Mayor Greg Nickels does not want to implement openness policy is obvious, he does not want to lose power and expose the corruption that is surely hidden inside his administration.
President Obama has said “Change happens because the American people demand it.” If you desire openness and transparency in Seattle government or in state government for that matter where there is also ONE PARTY RULE, then you are going to have to kick out incumbents.
So far, 13 probable cases of swine flu have been reported in King County and Swedish Medical Center in Ballard is in the process of taking steps to prepare for what the World Health Organization is warning could be a pandemic.
Rayburn Lewis, executive and medical director at Swedish, said Swedish is studying recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization on what they can do to prepare.
"We're taking this very seriously and urging people to take the precautions in the news and on Web sites," Lewis said.
He said he is deciding what measures can be implemented at Swedish within the day and what will take more time.
The medical center is considering types of isolation procedures for infected patients to protect staff, visitors and other patients, Lewis said.
Jennifer Graves, administrative director for the Ballard Swedish Medical Center, said Swedish will look into setting up separate screening areas for possible swine flu cases.
To stay healthy, the King County Health Department is urging residents to practice the same procedures, such as washing hands regularly and staying home if sick, they would during a typical flu season.
A preliminary schedule for the Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) repaving and restriping of Fauntleroy Way Southwest suggests that construction of the project will begin May 26 and last through early October 2009.
Work on Fauntleroy between California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street has been scheduled in three phases which travel in a circular pattern.
First, starting on the north end and traveling south, the west side of the street will be paved. Next, beginning in the south end and heading north the east side will be paved. Finally, the center lane will be paved beginning at the north end.
Each of the three phases will last six weeks.
The repaving of Fauntleroy Way further west, between California Avenue and Southwest Holly Street, has not been scheduled yet but Murphey says a separate crew could work at the same time as the already scheduled crew.
Murphey said that the failing asphalt and concrete panels will be completely dug out and that some drainage improvements will take place to better filter rainwater. Curb ramps will be completed before repaving begins.
Getting energy from the sun is a dream for many that until recently was either very expensive or very unlikely, especially in the Pacific Northwest, but Eric Thomas is out to change people's minds about solar power through education and demonstration.
At the moment Eric works for the rail road as a signal maintainer and he and his wife also own Red Cup Espresso in the Junction. But his dream is to get people excited about using the sun for energy.
He showed the westseattleherald.com a solar water heater that preheats ground water using an array of vacuum tubes filled with demineralized water. The system, which costs around $6,000 to be installed, heats enough water for two people's average use per day.
Over time it could save a lot of electricity by taking the load off a standard water heater, which is among the most power hungry devices in the average home.
Eric is clearly an entrepreneur, and is spreading the solar message through classes in West Seattle and Burien.
Internationally recognized, the Nordic Heritage Museum shares Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experiences, and serving as a community gathering place.
Ballard's public Seattle Library.
Greenwood's public Seattle library.
The Phinney Neighborhood Association is a non-profit community organization founded in 1980 by Phinney neighbors to build community. The PNA provides and promotes programs, services and activities aimed at encouraging connections between neighbors and fostering civic involvement in a diverse community.
