June 2009

The opening of Admiral’s incoming Brickyard BBQ restaurant has been delayed a couple weeks until the middle of July.

Ryan Ackerson, who will be the restaurants’ chef, said the city just approved their plans today and that they will need additional time to build an indoor dining structure.

Brickyard BBQ will feature indoor and outdoor seating, as can be seen in a painted model of the restaurant. It will offer both dine-in and take-out service.

Ackerson has been a chef at How To Cook a Wolf and Tabulata in Queen Anne and opened Café Venus in Lake Union. He has already planned a menu which will include:

• Brick Chicken
• Beef Brisket
• Pulled Pork
• Baby Back Ribs
• Daily Seafood Special
• Jalapeño Cornbread
• Coleslaw
• Baked Beans
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Corn on the Cob
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Sweet Pea Salad
• Potato Salad

Brickyard BBQ will be opening at 2310 California Ave. S.W., just south of the Admiral Pub.

A mixed-use condominium complex was previously proposed for the site between 2006 and 2007.

The City Auditor yesterday released a comprehensive audit of Seattle’s neighborhood District Council system, how it functions, and how the system has aged since inception in 1987.  

The audit, requested by Seattle City council member Sally Clark and citizen advocates, details recent conflicts over district council mission and expectations, and highlights the need for a renewed commitment to citizen engagement in Seattle.

"The audit results reflect what many of us already know: there is keen interest, citywide, in real civic engagement," said Clark. "The 13 district councils play a key role in brokering dialogue both inside their territories and with city government. In 22 years, among thousands of important conversations and projects, we’ve had some missteps, mission drift and misunderstandings.”

Seattle's 13 district councils cover the entire area of the city. They are city-recognized and supported organizations made up of representatives from community councils, community clubs, neighborhood associations, business groups and other groups.

Mayor Greg Nickels and Seattle City Council members Richard Conlin and Tim Burgess announced today a proposal to encourage job growth by repealing a tax paid by Seattle businesses.

The annual tax of $25 per employee, known as the “employee hours tax,” was imposed in 2006 as part of a package to provide additional funding for transportation projects. The repeal would be effective Jan. 1, 2010.

“In these tough economic times, we want to do everything possible to create jobs and help businesses grow," said Nickels in a statement. "I want to thank council members Burgess and Conlin for their leadership in repealing this tax. By taking this action, we will both improve our business climate and still meet our commitment to fixing roads.”

“We have worked closely with the mayor over the past few months to identify obstacles to economic growth and we agree that repeal of this tax will encourage job growth,” Burgess said. “The employee hours tax has generated less revenue than anticipated, but more importantly it has negative consequences because it taxes the creation of new jobs.”

Never thought this old Depression Baby would see the younger generation of shoppers seeking out yard sales.

Gucci bags and Ralph Lauren designer sheets were once daily fare for these new bargain hunters. So if you are one of those who walks about with a cell phone light blinking in your ear and more than five credit cards in your purse, listen up. Take it from this seasoned bargain shopper. You can get it cheaper outside the mall—in fact right in the thrift shops and yard sales of West Seattle.

For many years I have practiced what I learned in early life. Never Buy Retail.

There is no shame in reusing what others have decided to sell for a modest price. Don’t you just love to browse amongst the books and belongings of your near neighbors?

My daughter is an inveterate yard sale junkie. We together can find special birthday presents and Christmas gifts on any given weekend when yards become shopping paradises. Just look at this software for managing a checking account! What a find.

And this special plush Easter basket shaped like a bunny lying on its back or bunny ears to clip on a granddaughter’s head.

While $750,000 has been secured for the Delridge Skatepark, designers are now working to determine how much that will fund and what the community wants to see in its first skatepark.

At the latest community meeting on June 22, Micah Shapiro of Grindline Concrete Skatepark Design and Construction presented a preliminary design to the community and asked the group of skateboarders and community members what they would like to change.

The park design includes 15,000 square feet of skateable concrete surface, which Shapiro claims could accommodate about 30 skateboarders at once.

The design includes transitional elements like a stair set, hubbas, ledges, a birdbath and a death box. It includes one large bowl that drops between five and seven feet.

Some aesthetic features include brickwork and integrated trees.

"We really strive to make every one of our parks unique to the place it's going," said Shapiro.

When asked what they would like to change about the park design, many skateboarders requested that the one large bowl be divided into two so that more skateboarders can use them at once.

Shapiro said that change would almost definitely happen.

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously passed a motion June 22 calling on Metro Transit, which is facing a $168 million shortfall over the next two years, to report on efforts to leverage Transit Division resources through partnerships and entrepreneurial activities.

“When the Girl Scouts need extra money, they sell cookies. Looking at a $168 million budget hole, what kind of clever revenue-generating activities can Metro come up with to fill the budget gap and protect bus service?” said Council member Larry Phillips, sponsor of the motion. “It’s time to think outside the box and explore innovative ideas for keeping bus service on the streets.”

According to the county, the Transit Division has been successful in leveraging resources through initiatives, such as the Transit Now service partnerships, employer Flex Pass programs and Adopt-a-Stop programs where volunteers take responsibility for keeping bus shelters clean.

On Monday, June 22, just shortly after 3 p.m., a man displaying a handgun robbed a bank in the 400 block of North 85th Street.

The suspect was described as a white male, in his 50s. The suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The investigation is ongoing.

Well, the kids are mostly out of school now, or will be soon, so it got me to thinking about safety.

Sometimes the end of school is accompanied by some pranks. Some are classics like toilet-papering a house or soaping windows, and some also involve cars – which is why the Car Counselor is thinking about it now.

Some classic car pranks like letting the air out of one or more tires or shoe polish on the windshield are more annoying than harmful, but there are others like sugar in the gas tank or damage to the paint job with keys, knives, etc. that can lead to expensive repairs.

Being aware of your car's condition is always a good idea, but it is very easy to become complacent about it. This is what makes the point about the kids' pranks. Be aware of your car when you go out to start it in the morning. Take a minute to just walk around and size it up.

Do the tires all look evenly inflated or are any of them low? Keeping our tires properly inflated maximizes the life of the tire, provides the best handling and traction, and helps to get the best mileage you can.

Monday night's music recital at Tibbetts United Methodist Church was a demonstration of diversity. Twenty-three young children, teens, adults, and even a Yorkshire Terrier played everything from "Chop Sticks" to "Misty" to Chopin's "Waltz in C# minor" on the piano, organ, and cello.

OK. The dog didn't play Chopin. "Biscuit" was more of a novelty act when his paws tickled the ivories.

Showcased were the final performances of students in a competition initiated by piano instructor John H. Van Lierop, Jr., who also happens to be the church organist for Tibbetts where he has played for nearly 30 years.

"Tonight they got awards for (two) things they've been in, the Gold Cup competition at the U.W. plus an evaluation of up to ten pieces in front of one judge," said Lierop with pride.

"If you're musical you can go as far as you want to go."

To reach John H. Van Lierop, Jr., (206) 937-6982.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE SLIDE SHOW OF PHOTO OF EACH MUSICIAN.

After almost 50 years in business, Olsen’s Scandinavian Foods on Northwest Market Street announced over the weekend they will close.

Though the final day is uncertain, owners said they will likely shutter in July. A sign announcing the store would close was posted in the front window on June 22.

Several other Market Street businesses have closed or announced they will close this year, including All the King's Flags, Best Regards, Bella's Best, Annabelle's Consignment and Antiques and Mandrakes Antiques.

Founded in 1960 by Einar Johnsen, Olsen's was called B.D. & D. and was located across the street from its current location at 2248 N.W. Market St. But three years later, the owners realized the store needed more room due to Ballard’s vast Scandinavian community.

In 1972, Johnsen decided to retire and move back to Norway selling the store to Reidar Olsen. Reidar kept the original named and continued to sell Scandinavian goods and later decided to retire in 1992, after 20 years.