May 2010

Residents and employees at Ballard Care and Rehabilitation Center came together May 7 to speak our against budget cuts to nursing homes at the state and national level and to sign a petition urging Washington's congressional delegation to fight against further cuts.

Gary Weeks, president and CEO of the Washington Health Care Association, said nursing homes were hit hard in the latest legislative sessions, with $15 million being cut to Medicaid at the state level and $14.5 billion being cut to Medicare at the national level.

There are 10,200 residents in nursing homes in the state, and that number is growing, Weeks said. He said the money being cut is needed to keep a great staff, up-to-date facilities and a high-quality of life for residents.

Sabine von Prevss-Friedman, long-term care medical director at Ballard Care, said margins are not large for nursing homes – any budget cuts are cuts in staff and necessary services.

Ballard Care administrator Angie Davis called the cuts dangerous and unacceptable.

For the past 24 years, longtime Ballard resident Faye Cluckey has been battling cancer within her family in one form or another. On May 9, the Seattle Mariners will honor her commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer in a pregame ceremony.

In 1986, Cluckey's younger sister was diagnosed with cancer. Later, Cluckey's dog Tinker Bell was diagnosed with breast cancer and successfully treated. Last year, Tinker Bell's incessant pawing at Cluckey's chest led her to get a mammogram. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and treated.

"That dog would not leave my breasts alone," Cluckey said. "She lived so she could help me live."

She said a strong faith and the ability to smile through life's bumps has kept her going through the difficult times.

"I believe in prayer," Cluckey said. "If I didn't know I had the Lord with me, I couldn't keep going."

Since her sister's first experience with cancer, Cluckey has dedicated herself to raising awareness about breast cancer.

Mayor Mike McGinn released the following statement today:

"I commend Boeing and the other parties for reaching agreement on cleanup and restoration of Duwamish Waterway habitat. Undoing some of the damage caused by decades of manufacturing and industry in this area is not only the right thing to do, it's the law. I'm pleased that the company – working with the City and with federal, state and tribal officials – is meeting this important responsibility."

Here is the Boeing press release, issued Wednesday:

Boeing Announces Duwamish Waterway Environmental Cleanup and Habitat Restoration

Boeing today announced an environmental cleanup and habitat restoration project that will create nearly 5 acres of contiguous intertidal wetlands, restore more than half a mile of waterway and establish a resting area for migratory fish in and along the lower Duwamish Waterway.

As the Des Moines City Council discusses plans for downtown, the contentious issue of increasing building heights comes up again.
Looking to improve the downtown the council discussed doing an analysis of the parking downtown and the impact, if any, the 35 foot building height has on development downtown.
Many residents who live along 8 ave. and 10 ave. in Des Moines were worried about what they described as a wall of buildings blocking their view, if the building height in the downtown was increased from 35 feet to 65.
“Yes, I have a beautiful view, but I do not want to take the financial hit of not being able to sell my house because there is a wall of buildings in front of it,” said Des Moines resident Victoria Nichols.
Ken Klose told the council increasing the building height would only help developers, not the people living in the City.
“The City Council was elected to represent the residents not the developers,” Klose said.

AFS Intercultural Programs (formerly the American Field Service) is accepting applications from local families interested in opening their homes and lives to Exchange Students who will be attending high school in the Seattle area. AFS is a worldwide nonprofit that has been leading international high school student exchange for more than 60 years.

More than 2,500 AFS Exchange Students arrive in the U.S. each year to be welcomed into families, high schools, and communities. Host families provide a bed and meals, share their daily lives with students, and help guide and support students as they would their own children. AFS differs from many other exchange organizations thanks to its network of thousands of volunteers in the U.S., many of whom have hosted themselves or studied abroad with AFS. In addition to paid staff, over 300 local volunteers for AFS-Greater Puget Sound support families, their hosted students, and schools to ensure everybody gets the most out of the hosting experience.

Given the steady stream of news and controversy coming out of Seattle City Hall, and the state and federal capitols, it's possible to overlook the reach and importance to our daily lives of King County government. King County is responsible for Metro transit, wastewater treatment, public health, criminal and civil justice systems and jails, property tax assessments, an airport, social and community services, and added law enforcement, roads and garbage services in unincorporated areas. That’s quite a “to do” list. All told, King County serves 1.8 million people who live within its 39 cities or unincorporated areas.

A steady flow of eager shoppers moved around the booths at opening day of the Burien Farmer's Market Thursday. They came for the fun, flowers and fantastic fresh veggies as well as the jazz music. The market operates each Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m through mid October.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.

After a brief closure due to a delay in the arrival of some coolers, West Seattle Produce will open for business again on Friday May 7.
They plan to be fully stocked with produce and ready to go. This is still the "soft open" period for the business and the Grand Opening event is still set for June 5-6.
Once the business is running at full speed they will have a full nursery with trees, shrubs and plants and flowers year round supplied by Rich's Nursery in Redmond. The company will also carry starter plants like tomato plants and peas from farmers in Carnation.

The annual Friends of the College dinner for South Seattle Community College was held Thursday May 5 to honor students who have been awarded scholarships, faculty members who have earned awards in excellence in education and to recognize and thank the many donors from the community including SSCC employees. Interim President of SSCC Dr. Jean Hernandez spoke about the college's gratitude to the community for it's support and said that more than 100 scholarships have been awarded since last fall. Each year the South Seattle Community College Foundation awards more than $200,000 in scholarships. SSCC is seeing record enrollment. They are currently 150 annualized full time enrollments over their projected target for the year. Hernandez reminded the audience that SSCC has received baccalaureate accreditation, and "An A+ score... the accreditors were here in October, we found out in February that SSCC is now a four year college."

The Burien Farmers Market opened today in Burien Town Square. Handmade crafts, organic local food, honey soaps and flowers are just some of the items the different vendors had available. There was live music from the local band two scoops played earlier in the day. The beautiful blue sky stayed for the entire day.

The Burien Famers Market will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.