November 2009

By Nick Licata, Seattle City Council

Ed. Note: This column originally appeared in Nick Licata's "Urban Politics" Newsletter.

Friday afternoon, Councilmember Jan Drago stuck her head into my office and said in a jovial manner, "Hey, if you want to see the new mayor, come next door." That would be Councilmember Sally Clark's office.

Drago and I found Mayor-elect Mike McGinn in the middle of Clark's office, smiling broadly (his seemingly ever-present smile may become his trademark) and talking in a casual style to both staff and Clark.

Councilmember Tim Burgess soon walked over and joined us.

McGinn explained that rather than making courtesy calls to all the councilmembers, he thought it better to just walk over and meet face-to-face on a casual basis.

This is a departure from Mayor Nickel's style, which was to rely more on Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis to walk the council hallway.

In another way McGinn is making a more dramatic departure from not only the Nickels' transition but others that have gone before him as well.

On Nov. 12, Mayor-elect Mike McGinn released a video on YouTube describing his “Open Souce Transition,” and put forth three questions to the people of Seattle.

McGinn said he wants to hear from everybody, so I have decided to give him my opinion. His questions, taken from the video, are as follows:

How do we build the strongest possible team to achieve the policy objectives and values set forth (in the campaign)?

Make sure that you get the right kind of help. In other words, strike a balance between getting input from the community and making sure you have experienced professionals on your team.

A bunch of community organizers aren’t going to be much help if there’s an earthquake and the Viaduct falls over or if it snows again.

How do we build public trust in the new administration?

Get everyone to believe in Seattle again.

Seattle is in a unique position to become one of the major cities of the 21st century and has much going for it. But, a lot of people are feeling left out.

Please join the King County Board for Developmental Disabilities and the King County Parent Coalitiion with its program, The Arc, an evening forum for members of the Washington State Legislature from King County.

Welcome by King County Executive-elect Dow Constantine.

WHEN: Monday, November 23, 2009

TIME: 6:30 p.m. – Sign in and socializing
7:00 p.m. – Program begins

WHERE: The DoubleTree Guest Suites
16500 Southcenter Parkway

The Arc of King County’s board member, Eric Matthes , a West Seattle resident, will be speaking at this event. He is 32 years old and has a developmental disability. Matthes served as a board member of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council for three years. He was a consumer member of the Utah Transit Authority's committee for Accessible Transportation, participated in the youth mentoring program (Power In You) developed by First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman, and was involved in many other community volunteer services.

As we reported here Dennis Hinton, longtime volunteer with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council has been working with Council Project Manager, Judy Pickens, on overseeing the spawning coho salmon in Fauntleroy Creek this time of year.

Hinton, whose daughter Lori is a West Seattle Herald contributor and author of "West Seattle 101," would like to share his story with West Seattle Herald readers:

MY FACINATION WITH THE COHO RETURNING
TO SPAWN AT FAUNTLEROY CREEK
By Dennis Hinton
November 16, 2009

Several days ago a reporter from the West Seattle Herald asked me why I am so passionate about salmon returning to our little Fauntleroy Creek. I did not have a very good answer for him, but it got me to thinking.

In the big picture, I think it is an absolute miracle that they return at all. And proof that miracles can happen---for me a source of inspiration for overcoming long odds. When salmon mate and lay eggs in the creek, those eggs become fry, which can stay in the fresh water of the creek for nearly a year.

"LEGEND & LYRICS: Native Story Telling & Hip Hop" performs at the Duwamish Longhouse, this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21 at 7PM.

Featuring the Savage Family & traditional story tellers. Traditional native story telling & young strong native voices use hip hop as their expression in a mixing of generations speaking with one voice.

Free workshops open to the public during both days from 10AM to 5PM. This is a family friendly event and food will be provided. Come and watch as the performers work together to come up with something new. Young and old working together to come up with a fusion of traditional and modern, a powerfull statement.

Performers include: Savage Family, United Nations fr Tulalip, Na-Haan, Ryan Alive with Skies, Native Storytellers Roger Fernandes, Elaine Grinnell, Robert Fredickson.

$5 - $10 at the door.
(206) 431-1582

Duwamish Longhouse
4705 W. Marginal Way SW

West Seattle Garden Club

Alki Congregational Church

6115 S.W. Hinds St.

206-932-2540

Friday, Nov. 20, 10-2 p.m.
West Seattle Garden Club presents Dan Hess, experienced Master Gardener, as their Afternoon speaker on "Compost and Soils", the importance of building healthy soil for a successful garden. The Morning study program will be given by member, Julie Gramm on "Air Plants". Followed by commentary on design and horticulture exhibits. Brown Bag lunch at noon. Dessert and beverages provided by the club. $5.00 donation.
Visitors welcome.

Wildlife Garden Work Party

Seacrest Park

1660 Harbor Ave. S.W.

Sat. Nov. 21,
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Come join the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project for the work party we've all been waiting for. Creating the wildlife habitat demonstration garden at Seacrest Park!  We will start with some weeding, and then put lots of native plants in the ground around the driftwood and along the boatyard fence.  Some warm drinks and snacks will be provided to keep everyone energized.  Bring your own work gloves and tools if you prefer, otherwise there will be some available.

Allen McBride is a man who loves hunting dogs. He's owned quite a few over the last 50 years and his latest, Abby, a German Short Hair Pointer is a great one. "We think she's five, we got her from the shelter. The one the county has been complaining about down in Kent. I've used them before and they've always been clean, courteous...I think they got a bum rap," McBride said chuckling.

He got the dog about a year ago. As for her hunting ability, "She points everything, she's not supposed to point squirrels but she does point squirrels and I haven't had her out on birds but I'm sure she's going to do ok." McBride said. He's planning on taking her hunting this year for Pheasant and Chucker.

She's a pure bred and has beautiful markings. "I got my first in 1961 or 62," McBride explained.

The Historical Society of Federal Way is pleased to announce a Book Signing to be held this Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Federal Way Costco store from 1pm until 3 pm.

Come celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the publication of the book Images of America – Federal Way. Meet the editors/authors Marie Sciacqua, Dick Caster and Ann Hagen and have your copy signed by them.

Lillian Riley’s four children went to Webster School. But after it closed, the neighborhood lost more than a school; it lost a playground.

In the late 1980s, Riley set out to turn “gray to green” and launched a community effort that created Groundswell NW and many other reclamation projects.

On Nov. 17, she will be presented with a Lifetime Achievements Award for outstanding volunteer stewardship from the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department during its 2009 Denny Awards in a ceremony at the Northwest African-American Museum.

A former teacher and longtime member of the League of Woman Voters, Riley drew on that organization’s commitment to democratic process when she decided to do something about the asphalt at the former Webster School site.

She woke up one morning with the thought, “If this is going to succeed, I need to organize.”

She founded Groundswell NW in 1989; Webster Park opened in 1997. She readily admits that projects take lots of time, patience and perseverance, “But, not every effort is going to take so long.”

OLYMPIA--Mount Rainier played some of its best soccer of the season in its last game.

Problem was, they played it against a team Rams head coach Gary Hunter said was the best team that they played this season – Camas.

They lost, 6-0, to the Papermakers in a preliminary district round playoff eliminator. The game played Saturday, Nov. 7 at South Sound Stadium in Olympia precedes the 3A state tournament.

The Rams finished the season 12-4-1 in the Seamount League and 11-6-1 overall. They took third in their league before advancing to districts after having won their crossover game over Auburn-Mountainview the game before that. For having a first year coach, the Rams did great this season, just missing eclipsing last year’s mark of losing in the first round of state to eventual 2008 state champ, Everett, under then-coach Jerry Cappondanno

“That was the best team we’ve played all season,” said Hunter of Camas.

Better than Kennedy?

“Them and Kennedy are the two best teams we’ve played this year,” elaborated Hunter.