September 2010

On Thursday Sept. 2 the north leaf of the South Park Bridge was removed under significantly better weather conditions than the first one cut and placed on a barge Aug. 31. See our previous coverage including video here.

With blue skies and warmer weather General Construction made the final cuts to the East bascule leaf of the South Park bridge thereby ending its nearly 80 year tenure of access to South Park.

The removal went smoothly and was faster than the west bascule leaf. This was due in part to the learning curve established during Tuesday's separation of the West leaf. Workers had a more refined plan of the order in which to cut the steel supports that hold the leaf in place. The final cut was made at 3:05 pm.

An assault occurred near the corner of 37th and Myrtle and 911 was called just before 5:00 p.m.

Numerous police officers responded. One person is injured.

An investigation is underway.

One person is in custody and the injured party is being taken to the hospital.

The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will present the Everyday Hero Award to Mr. Jim Sweeney on behalf of his support of the West Seattle Community on Wednesday September 8th at 12 noon at Be’s Restaurant, 4509 California Ave SW. The public is welcome to attend.

Jim Sweeney, owner of Alki Lumber and Hardware, recently donated materials for a recent Kiwanis service project.

The company was founded by his father, William J. Sweeney, a charter member of the 82 year old Kiwanis club. His father was president in 1941, and was very active in the community at large. The Kiwanis Everyday Hero Award honors people who may go unnoticed or unappreciated for their work or commitment to the community. Kiwanis Club president West Niver said “We are thrilled to recognize Jim for his commitment to serving the community and his support of our club over the years”.

The West Seattle Kiwanis club is one of the oldest service clubs in West Seattle, beginning in 1929.

King County celebrated 25 years of 9-1-1 service at a ceremony on Thursday to recognize youth heroes and educate residents about appropriate use of the emergency number. Four children who used quick, calm thinking and appropriately dialed 9-1-1 were on hand to receive special recognition. King County Executive Dow Constantine and Sheriff’s Office Technical Services Chief Robin Fenton awarded the children with medals for doing the right thing in an emergency, and thanked the 9-1-1 operators who took their calls.

“These young heroes who dialed 9-1-1 during an emergency deserve our thanks for their quick thinking, and praise for remaining calm and providing information during a stressful situation,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “King County is pleased to have provided this life saving service for 25 years, and over the next 25 years, we will continue to keep up with technology so that we can best serve our residents.”

Bob Warden, the Renton attorney who challenged the City of Seattle's ban on guns in city parks has withdrawn his appeal that was pending before the Ninth Circuit. He initiated his challenge by entering the Southwest Community Center carrying a concealed weapon violating a rule put in place by then Mayor Greg Nickels. Warden's original lawsuit was against Nickels in Federal District Court. That lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Marsha Pechman on March 11 and was a challenge to the Firearms Rule.

Warden offered his reasoning:
"In their June 28, 2010 McDonald v. Chicago decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled specifically that the Second Amendment right of individual citizens to bear arms for the purpose of self-defense was binding on states and municipalities. McDonald effectively reversed Judge Marsha Pechman’s March 11 federal district court ruling in Warden v. Nickels. It is now a settled fact that the Second Amendment fully applies to the actions of City of Seattle officials.

Bilingual Books, located in Fishermen's Terminal, has recently released a new tool for U.S. military forces serving in Afghanistan.

"Pashto: A Language Map" is an ultra-thin, lightweight, durable language guide to the dominant language in Afghanistan.

“This release was prompted by military requests for critical needs languages,” Kristine Kershul, president of Bilingual Books, said in a press release. “The current war in Afghanistan started nine years ago, on Oct. 7, 2001, and the majority of our troops have had an extremely limited choice of language tools."

The language map will give soldiers what they need to communicate immediately and work effectively in the field, Kershul said.

The company is committed to helping U.S. forces overseas, according to the press release. Bilingual Books released an Arabic language map in 2003 to assist troops deploying to Iraq.

Every dog owner in greater Ballard knows about the park at upper Golden Gardens. The off-leash area has become a popular spot for pooches and their pals.

Before the dog park, it was an open field where I spent plenty of youthful summers at family picnics, Girl Scout outings and elementary school field trips and where I saw my first Maypole dance. The surrounding woods provided a backdrop.

As a teen, I got a bit more intimate with the woodland trails when we’d have (yes, I admit) parties with kegs tucked away in the trees.

And later, as a fitness-conscious adult, I’ve run along those woodland trails, as well as up and down the stairs that cut from beach to hilltop.

While I’ve enjoyed the small urban forest, I haven’t given it much thought in terms of care and feeding, assuming the city took care of it as part of its Parks and Recreation division, or given its woodsy nature, that (maybe!) it took care of itself.

From the Seattle Police Department blotter:

Robbery Detectives developed information during the course of the investigation that led them to the identity of one of the suspects involved in last week’s home invasion robbery in Highland Park.

On September 1, detectives with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force located and arrested a 37 year old suspect at 260th and Pacific Highway South in Des Moines.

Robbery Detectives were following up on additional leads at a motel in Federal Way when another suspect wanted in this crime was spotted. He fled when he saw detectives and multiple units responded to the area in an attempt to locate him. The suspect was able to elude capture.

At approximately 6:20 PM that 45 year old suspect was located and arrested by Federal Way Police and turned over to the Robbery Detectives. Both suspects were interviewed by detectives and later booked into the King County Jail on Investigation of Robbery.

This remains an on going investigation as there may be additional suspects involved.

Janet Rodgers, director of the Ballard High School Foundation, dedicated her life to serving others. Before her work with the foundation, she served in the Peace Corps, worked as a public health nurse, managed Seattle's UNICEF operations and was a Ballard Boys & Girls Club board member.

When Rodgers passed away Aug. 26 at the University of Washington Medical Center due to complications from breast cancer, the community lost one of its best.

"She was a true visionary and leader," reads the Ballard High School Foundation's "Golden Beaver" newsletter. "She inspired us to do more for Ballard, the community and our families."

As director of the foundation, Rodgers built a great team of community members, alumni, faculty and staff that has worked on countless projects benefitting Ballard High School students, said her son Billy Rodgers, a member of the foundation's board and the Ballard High School boys basketball coach.

Ross Parker, Project Architect with Bassetti Architects for the Sealth remodel now in it's final days, led a tour of about 45 people through the renovated school Wednesday Sept. 1. See our previous coverage here.

The $50 fee the attendees paid will go to assist art programs and other parts of the Sealth curriculum this year.

Debbie Taylor of the Friends of Sealth spoke briefly about her excitement about the changes that have been made and acknowledged her early opposition, but later came to really appreciate the value of what has been done.

Principal John Boyd thanked Irene Stewart and the members of the design and construction team including Project Manager Robert Evans, DKA Architecture, Bassetti Architects and the entire crew for their hard work.

Parker pointed out numerous details and changes that have been made to the structures including the new cloth seats in the 900 seat auditorium, the improved lighting and sound capabilities and expanded stage.