September 2009

Resolution 30990, the Zero Waste Strategy, which I initiated and which was approved by the council in 2007, includes an array of strategies to prevent or reduce the use of problem products, those that are hard to recycle, are significant elements of the waste stream, or contain toxic materials.

In 2008, the council adopted two pieces of legislation that covered products of concern. The ban on expanded polystyrene ("Styrofoam") food containers took effect on Jan. 1, 2009, and has been implemented with little controversy.

The proposed fee on disposable shopping bags was adopted by the council, but was subsequently petitioned to a voter referendum, where it was defeated, being approved by only 47 percent of the voters, following a $1.4 million campaign against it by the American Chemistry Council.

After a one-day postponement due to an M.I.A. bus, the Ballard High School boys tennis team suffered a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Woodinville Sept. 23. It was the team's third 5-2 loss of the year.

Neal Berg was once again a highlight for the Beavers, winning his singles match 2-1 by scores of 2-6, 6-1 and 6-4.

Berg has won all four of his singles matches this season for the 1-3 boys tennis team.

Duncan Moore and Nate Hegerberg gave Ballard its only other point of the day by winning their doubles match 2-1 by scores of 7-6, 3-7 and 6-4.

It was the second win in a row for the duo of Moore and Hegerberg.

The Beavers take on Roosevelt at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Lower Woodland Tennis Courts.

Teame Georgio, with Blackbird Painting in West Seattle, prepares gutters on a hot apartment roof on California Avenue Southwest on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Seattle mayoral candidate Mike McGinn will host several town halls during the next few days at the following locations:

Prince Hall Grand Lodge/Central District (306 24th Ave. S.)
8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24

University Heights Center (5031 University Way N.E., Room 209)

Noon, Saturday, Sept. 26

Magnuson Park, View Ridge Room at building 406 (7400 Sand Point Way N.E.)

2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26

Green Lake Public Library (7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N.)

4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26

Leif Erickson Hall (2245 N.W. 57th St.)

2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27

Magnolia Community Center (2550 34th Ave. W.)

4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27


Candidates for Seattle City Council, Port of Seattle Commission and mayor discussed the future of the South Park Bridge, the proposed Alaskan Way tunnel, and even touched on legalizing marijuana, during a candidate forum hosted by the Highland Park Action Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The economy and the recession, however, were consistent themes.

“It’s economic opportunity,” said Tom Albro, a candidate for port commissioner. “It’s jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Albro’s talk on job creation touched on a broader populist note that candidates repeatedly turned to: listening to the people, creating jobs, working for the environment and lowering housing costs.

Improving (and approving of) transit options like buses, vanpools and bicycles were popular among the candidates. Seattle City Council candidate Mike O’Brien—who had perhaps heard that mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan lost his endorsement from the 42rd District Democrats partially because he’d chosen to drive his car six blocks rather than use a bicycle—began his speech by apologizing for his disheveled appearance because he had biked to the venue from Fremont.

Boys tennis

Thomas Jefferson 5, A-R 0

Joe Lee led the Raiders to victory Tuesday, Sept. 22 by taking the No. 1 singles match, 6-3, 6-0. Branden Muraki posted a 6-4, 6-0 No. 2 singles victory and Makoa Rosa and Kainoa Rosa combined for a 6-1, 6-2 No. 1 doubles win.
Brandyn Gomez and Kyle Creek were 6-0, 6-1 No. 2 doubles winners and James Lee teamed up with Alex Lee for a 7-5, 6-2 No. 3 doubles win.

Decatur 3, Curtis 2

Murali scored a 6-3, 6-4 No. 1 singles win for the Gators Tuesday, Sept. 22 and Choi and Murphy were 6-2, 2-7, 7-6 No. 1 doubles winners. Eddy and Crahan won No. 2 doubles, 6-1, 6-3.

Girls golf

Thomas Jefferson 70, Federal Way 61

Alex Song of Thomas Jefferson scored a round of 44 last Tuesday, Sept. 22 and Federal Way's Emily Victor took second

Hula-hooping "Hooters girls" and dueling outdoor pianos kicked off the grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 23 of a new Hooters restaurant and casino at 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive South.

It replaces Rascals Casino in the South Park area.

The 6,000-sqaure-foot casino in back of the restaurant will feature 15 table games, in varying combinations of Texas Hold-'em, Blackjack, Spanish 21, Pai Gow, Mini Baccarat and 4-card poker.

While in the up-front restaurant, the "Hooters girls" will wear the signature scanty orange and white uniforms, the female casino dealers will wear "a sexy combination of black vests and orange bow ties," according to a company press release. The dealers are all professional card handlers.

"I don't think we would have done the brand justice if we weren't bringing the aesthetic appeal of Hooters into the card room," Ed Pilarz, president of Altium Development, parent company of the local franchise, said.

Added Pilarz," We couldn't be prouder to stand behind this new space and use it to elevate the Hooters brand in such a way that allows our guests to experience more excitement and satisfaction than ever before.

The re-opening of Burien Nissan has been rumored for nearly a month, but as of last Friday, the deal had not been finalized.

An advertisement posted on Craigslist Aug. 31 suggested that the Nissan dealership would be re-opening with new ownership from Car Pros, which owns local dealerships in Tacoma and Seattle.

The ad was seeking potential employees with automotive experience in parts or service.

Burien Nissan, under its former ownership closed back in March.

Ken Phillips, owner of Car Pros, said the plan was to originally be able to open back in April, but they have continued to run into problems finalizing the deal.

"We haven't closed the deal on the properties," Phillips said.

Phillips did not elaborate on the details, but expected to know more soon.

Economic Development Director for the city of Burien, Dick Loman, thinks the potential re-opening will be good for the community.

"I am very pleased that Nissan will be re-opening and that we are going to have to the opportunity to buy Nissan products here again," Loman said. "The city will benefit by some additional jobs and of course some retail sales tax income on the sale of the automobiles."

The new Hooters Casino and Restaurant in South Park opens its doors Thursday, Sept. 24.

Wednesday featured a ceremonial opening for the press and a dry run for the employees. Guests sat outside the entrance in folding chairs and were treated to two musicians singing and playing grand pianos while Hooters employees entertained the crowd with smiles and cheers.

Speeches were made by Ed Pilarz, president of Altium Development, parent company of the local Hooters franchises, Kim Best, Hooters South Park general manager, and Robert Nunnenkamp, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation representative . A portion of Hooters proceeds will be donated to that organization.

"This area needs something like this - fun and vibrant," said Karina Calderon, a "Hooters Girl" and White Center resident. Prior to this position, she worked in a daycare at Holy Family Catholic School on Roxbury.

According to its press release, Hooters is still hiring.

Hooters is located at 9635 Des Moines Memorial Blvd. at Southwest 96th Street and Highway 99. For more information, (206) 762-4000.

Another new Hooters is scheduled to open in Renton.

Nearly three years of work came to a conclusion Sept. 21 when the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to pass the Pedestrian Master Plan.

The goal of the plan, which was put in motion by the council in January 2007, is to make Seattle the most walkable city in the nation.

"This is about a cultural change and continuing that push to recognize that transportation is more than just figuring out what happens in the middle of the roadway where the cars are," council member Sally Clark said during the vote.

The plan includes objectives, strategies and analysis that can help the city increase the safety of pedestrians and the vibrancy of walkable communities.

Council member Nick Licata said the plan will create better opportunities for citizens to walk and use transit to move about the city safely.

It will give the city a more comprehensive approach to creating new sidewalks in the future, he said.

"We can now make substantial progress in bringing sidewalks to that 30 percent of the city that does not have sidewalks on either side of the street," Licata said.