August 2009

Council gives Greenwood Fire Station remodel green light

In a final full Seattle City Council vote, the redesign proposal for the Greenwood Fire Station 21 was approved unanimously.

The vote took place Monday, Aug. 17 in council chambers.

Last week the council Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods committee approved the design. Read that coverage here.

The Greenwood station is located at 7304 Greenwood Ave. N.

Design and waivers included allowing a fire station in a neighborhood commercial zone with a pedestrian designation; allowing an additional 10 feet to be added to the curb cut; allowing a reduction from 60 to 25 percent transparency on street level and allowing the first floor of the station to be set at 12 feet from floor to ceiling in a commercial zone that requires a minimum of 13 feet.

Council member Sally Clark, chair of the planning and land use committee, said the lower floor to ceiling height was acceptable, considering the fire station is not a retail building.

Neighborhood
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Parks are free under county budget reduction plan

King County Executive Kurt Triplett said he will give away 39 parks, worth about $57 million dollars, in order to help close a $56 million budget shortfall next year.

Two of the parks on the list include the 5.6- acre White Center Heights Park (Southwest 102nd and 7th Avenue Southwest) and the 9.4- acre White Center Pond Natural Area (102nd Southwest and 12th Avenue Southwest).

The parks would close Jan. 1

The county is targeting school districts, cities other public or private agencies as likely to take over the parks, of which several lie in unincorporated areas of King County. Triplett said the county is "out of money."

The land must remain park land. Triplett said if takers are not found, maintenance would be severely reduced for those 39 parks, and fences put up around playgrounds and parking lots.

Thirteen jobs would be lost by closing the parks, and it's expected to save the county $4.6 million, said Triplett.

Neighborhood
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Pet of the Week: Winston loves firemen

But he's not a dalmatian

Bobby Hines got his lab mix Winston as a rescue dog from an accidental breeding.

His mother was a pure bred lab and his father was a wolf and Australian shepherd mix , so he's got an interesting background. Winston is only six months old and loves chewing -- anything.

"We almost had a direct deposit at the local pet store for chew toys,"explained Hines, "He has to have his pacifier."

Winston has a special affection for firemen.

"They park in front of our house a couple of times a week to visit a nearby coffee shop," said Hines," And they always play with him. So, now, anytime he sees firemen he goes nuts."

Hines keeps Winston on a 'Gentle Leader' leash for their walks. It prevents the dog from pulling against the leash.

"It doubles the length of our daily walk because I don't get worn out," said Hines.

How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:

Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Veterinary Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.

Neighborhood
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Locks closure Aug. 20

This Thursday, Aug. 20, both the large lock and small lock will be closed from approximately about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for inspection of the Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure.

There will be divers in the water during the time period, preventing lock operations, according to a press release from the Army Corps of Engineers.

The only exception will be for emergency vessels (Seattle Fire and Police, Coast Guard) on an emergency call. Any questions should be referred to the Lockmaster on duty, 206-783-7000 or 206-789-2622 ext. 234.

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Voters name zoo's snow leopard cub

Voters have chosen to name Woodland Park Zoo’s male snow leopard cub “Gobi,” evoking the mighty Mongolian desert.

In total, 35,740 votes were cast from all around the world through the zoo’s naming poll.

The poll, held online and on zoo grounds Aug. 4 through Aug. 12, offered four Mongolian name choices in honor of one of 12 countries that is home to the endangered snow leopard: Gobi, Boke, Irbis and Vachir.

Gobi’s twin sister has been named Batu, a Mongolian word meaning firm, hard and honest.

After weeks of bonding with their mother behind the scenes, Woodland Park Zoo’s two 11-week-old snow leopard cubs took their first official steps into their exhibit Aug. 15 at the zoo’s third annual Snow Leopard Day.

The cubs were born on May 25.

Neighborhood
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Police Blotter Week of 8.17.09: (Un)common scents

With a good tip from citizens who witnessed the damage, officers were able to narrow down their search for two graffiti “taggers” who defaced a Junction business. Once the officers entered the apartment building on Southwest Alaska, they simply followed their noses: the distinctive odor of spray paint led them straight to one apartment door. A 26-year-old man was identified as the culprit and booked into King County Jail.

When her 43-year-old grandson huffed (inhaled) a toxic substance and then became abusive--pacing, acting “crazy,” and twisting her wrist--an 80-year-old Arbor Heights woman called 911. He was booked into King County Jail for investigation of domestic violence assault.

Neighborhood

Police Blotter Week of 8.17.09: Sorry, wrong number

On the morning of Aug. 4, an elderly Ballard gentleman received a phone call from a young man who claimed to be his grandson. Sonny said that he was in Canada, had been drinking with friends, and got in a car accident. If “Grandpa” sent money for the car repairs, it would be a real help. Savvy Grandpa said, “Well, I don't have any money. It's all tied up. Why don't you ask your dad?” The caller mumbled something and the phone went, “click.”

About three in the morning on Aug. 4, a burglar sneaked through an unlocked window in a home in the 8000 block of 14th Avenue Northwest and stole $3,000 as well as full drawers from a china cabinet.

Late on July 30, a citizen interrupted a car prowl on her vehicle in the 100 block of Northwest 76th. The suspect was a white female in her late teens, with a slim build a strawberry or blond hair. She fled in a dark Oldsmobile sedan. The plate is registered to an address in eastern Washington.

Overnight on the Aug. 2, someone slashed all four tires on a car parked in the 900 block of Northwest 56th. $320 loss.

Neighborhood

The 'Max' in West Seattle

The Maxmobile was at the Morgan Street Thriftway on Sunday, Aug. 16.

The "Max," a bright, yellow, 33-foot custom-built mobile adoption and education center, visits local stores in neighborhoods six days a week.

The Max has travelled all over Seattle and King County bringing adoptable dogs and cats to schools, shopping malls, community events and festivals.

If interested in having the Max visit your school, event, or community group, email humane@seattlehumane.org.

Neighborhood
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Ribbon cut at Crown Hill Center

A large crowd of friends, neighbors and well-wishers gathered together on a sunny Sunday afternoon to witness the official ribbon cutting of the Crown Hill Center.

The old Crown Hill Elementary building was purchased by Small Faces Child Development Center, a 30-year tenant of the building, on June 30. And, on Aug. 16 if officially became the Crown Hill Center.

"This building has a long and wonderful history of serving the community," said 36th District Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, on hand for the ribbon cutting. "Now it is going to be an even stronger builder of community."

Jason Rhodes, president of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, sang the praises of two of the driving forces behind the creation of the Crown Hill Center – retiring Small Faces Executive Director Lynn Wirta and Crown Hill Center Project Manager Catharine Weatbrook.

He said Wirta has always been equated with stability and Weatbrook epitomizes hard work and dedication. Together, they demonstrate the qualities of the Crown Hill neighborhood, he said.

Neighborhood
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Something to celebrate

Dear Editor,

Thanks for the front page article “Married in spirit” (Aug. 12) about the Darling-Burleys, a male couple who recently wed. Congratulations to them!

In time-honored fashion, their community, friends and loved ones celebrate their lifelong commitment. Marriage is not easy but these two deserve our society’s support for doing the work of staying together and supporting each other.
 
Same-sex couples can currently marry in every way but one. They can marry in the eyes of their community, their religion, and their families. The only way they cannot marry in Washington, unfortunately, is in the eyes of the law. That is a shame.
 
Civil marriage is not just a social status. It is a legal status that has profound impact on the lives of the married couple. Over 400 state laws pertain to married couples, mandating legal responsibilities and providing legal protections to them – responsibilities and protections that are denied to same-sex couples.
 

Neighborhood