July 2010

Tully’s Coffee announced on June 29 that it is rolling out a new franchise program, opening up Single-Unit Franchise opportunities in Western Washington.

According to its press release, "The move makes Tully’s the largest, best known coffee brand in the state to offer single-unit franchise opportunities. In recent years, Tully’s has been focused on its licensed store strategy, which has allowed it open 107 of stores in grocery stores, airports, gas stations, malls and other locations in the past 5 years. Now the company is shifting its strategy, looking to grow its business by tapping into a rising interest by investors and small business leaders to create their own jobs and generate new jobs through a franchise investment.

On July 20, Tully’s will host their First Annual Franchise Expo at their headquarters, where they’ll unveil available trade area markets, new franchise opportunities and make available its Tully’s executive team available to prospective franchisees.

WHAT: Tully’s Coffee first annual Franchise Expo

WHO: Those interested in learning about franchise opportunities with Tully’s Coffee

There are days when the lead story on every TV news program and in every newspaper around seems to be about West Seattle UW student, Amanda Knox, beginning with her arrest as a suspect, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, five days following the murder of her college roommate in Perugia, Italy, Meredith Kercher.

The media, and public, was again consumed with her case more than two years later, with Knox held in Capanne Prison the whole time, when she first appeared in the courtroom Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. The "sensational" event was described by British tabloid journalist Nick Pisa like this, "She made her entrance like a Hollywood diva sashaying along the red carpet."

The crescendo of attention paid to Knox was perhaps on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, when she appeared before the judge and jury for her guilty verdict and sentencing was read. Interest sparked recently, on Thursday, June 17, when Knox appeared in court for a preliminary hearing regarding her appeal, and then there will of course be her appeal, which some say begins in November.

After 80 years of service, the last pedestrian, bicycle rider, and motor vehicle crossed the double-leaf bascule South Park Bridge bridge at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30. A bittersweet neighborhood event coined a "wake" celebrated the closing, and while Mayor McGinn, Seattle Councilmembers Richard Conlin, Sally Clark, Tom Rassmussen, and other dignitaries attended, the bridge was the star of the show.

It seemed many in the crowd expressed a mixture of frustration and hope. The bridge was laid to rest, but with $80 million raised for a new bridge, there seemed a spark of optimism among politicians and neighborhood residents.

"I just thought it was important to be down here," said Mayor Mike McGinn, dressed in casual attire. "This bridge is a real loss to the community so I wanted to come down and be with them. There's a lot of movement on the funding and the city will do its share but there are still some hurdles to come so I hope we can put it together."

After more than six years providing care for young children and hands-on learning for high schoolers, Casa Maria Montessori Language and Cultural Center was packed up this week and moved from its home at Ballard High School to a storage garage.

According to Seattle Public Schools, the termination of Casa Maria's lease, which was announced in December, was a result of a lack of space and the need for the high school make room for programs for students with autism.

Casa Maria Director Gail Longo said she was led to believe the partnership between Casa Maria and Ballard High School was long term. She said she the removal of the program was surprising and unnatural.

"I realized that I placed my trust in a system that I regarded as having shared goals for the education of youth, aware of the possibility that our program at Ballard High would open the way to greater understanding of what it means to be human in the 21st Century," Longo said.

The "StandUp For Kids Charity Chowdown" at McMenamins, Roy Street and 3rd Avenue in Queen Anne is coming up, on Wednesday, July 14th, 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

"It's wonderful to be able to engage the community in such an important cause, and in a way that will be great fun for everyone!" enthused
West Seattle resident, Stephenie Hansen, Director of Outreach.

Fifty-percent of food and drink purchases will go to StandUp For Kids. People will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for chances to win several prizes donated from local hotels, restaurants and shops.

StandUp For Kids - Seattle is a non-profit organization with a focus on the needs of the homeless and at-risk youth of Seattle.

Check them out at: www.standupforkids.org

This story has been corrected. We previously wrote that Cox & Box was a Gilbert & Sullivan piece, which it is not. We apologize for the error and appreciate those who pointed out our mistake. Thank you.

Ballard resident Richard S. Hodsdon has performed with the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, which recently celebrated the grand opening of its new rehearsal space in the Crown Hill Center, since 1974. He said he loves their music and lyrics.

Hodsdon stars as Mr. Box in the comedy opera "Cox & Box" about a greedy landlord who rents a room to two different men who work two different shifts without their knowing about it until, of course, they find out.

"It offers a surmountable challenge in terms of music and theatricality," said Hodsdon, who is retired from his work with sea food companies, including Trident Seafoods in Ballard.

He recently earned a Masters of Arts in teaching at Seattle Pacific University.