October 2010

The Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard and a private cleanup contractor are responded to an oil spill reported Oct. 27 on Salmon Bay.

An unknown source, most likely one or more commercial vessels, released diesel fuel and hydraulic oil into the freshwater bay at Fishermen’s Terminal, on the southern shore, according tot he Department of Ecology.

This morning winds from the south pushed the oil north across the bay into a private marina on the north shore, according to the department.

An oil coating could be seen on the water’s surface in both locations, but it is too thin for cleanup in most areas, according to the department.

A cleanup contractor recovered oil from the water at the Ballard Mill Marina, north of Fishermen’s Terminal. Crews in boats and on the dock placed oil cleanup pads on the water.

Department of Ecology and Coast Guard investigators continued their efforts to identify the source of the spill. They found one fishing vessel which had a small release of hydraulic oil, but it may not account for all of oil in the bay, according to the Department of Ecology.

While campaigning for reelection on a platform of bringing help to Main Street, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray did her best to single-handedly save Ballard's main street, leaving her Oct. 28 tour of Market Street businesses with a SeafoodFest tote bulging with books, records, cupcakes and more.

Murray, who is running for reelection against challenger Dino Rossi, said Wall Street was bailed out in the past year but more needs to be done to protect Main Street, where lines of credit for small businesses have been cut off by banks.

"I really believe that these small businesses like we have visited today are the key to our economic recovery," she said.

After getting underway at La Tienda, Murray's tour of Market Street rolled on to Bop Street Records while Ballard Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beth Miller and Cupcake Royale owner Jody Hall explained Ballard's annual Syttende Mai celebration.

Stay calm.

That is the most important factor when calling 911, whether it’s for a medical emergency or a crime, according to Community Police Team Officer Kiehn with the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct.

“The way citizens most often deal with police is through 911 calls and I think to understand how to use the system and what the system is for is the best thing I can inform you about,” Officer Kiehn said to the West Seattle blockwatch captains during their monthly meeting on Oct. 26.

He spoke primarily about how to call in a crime, however many of the tips help with any emergency.

Back to staying calm, Officer Kiehn explained that dispatch has a series of questions they need to ask callers in order to get police to the emergency location quickly.

The most basic information a caller needs to give dispatch is simply, “I am this person and I am trying to report this crime,” then just wait for the dispatcher to ask questions and guide the conversation, Kiehn said.

A year of financial limbo for the Burien Town Square condos will be broken on Friday, when the unsold Burien Town Square units and condos are foreclosed on and S.T. Residential sells them in a trustee’s sale.
“The Burien Town Square property is scheduled to be sold pursuant to a trustee’s sale on Friday, October 29,” S.T. Residential spokesman Pete Marino said on Thursday.
As late as last Saturday, Oct. 23, Amy Hoffman, a development associate with Urban Partners, said it would come down to the wire, but they were confident they would successfully negotiate new terms on the construction loan for Burien Town Square before the foreclosure deadline.
Urban Partners was the developer of the Burien Town Square project.
As of press time Amy Hoffman and Urban Partners Principal Paul Keller were unavailable for comment.
Six out of the 124-condo units sold before Corus Bank, who issued Urban Partners the construction loan, failed last year.
The construction loan was then taken over by S.T. Residential, which is the managing member of a partnership between the FDIC and several private equity investors.

"Who is looking out for our safety?" "Is this a done deal, or can we fight this?"

Those were popular sentiments from most of the three-dozen residents at the Oct. 27 meeting for the Low Income Housing Institute's proposed Ballard project as anger and frustration took over, especially in regard to the project's Urban Rest Stop component.

LIHI's $13 million to $15 million Ballard development would include 40 to 60 units of housing for singles, couples and families earning less than 60 percent of King County's median income, with 20 percent of the units set aside for formerly homeless individuals and families.

The Urban Rest Stop, a facility that would provide free restrooms, showers, laundry and some medical care, would be located on the first floor of the development at 2014 N.W. 57th St. It would be Seattle's second Urban Rest Stop.

The third in a series of meetings about the proposed driving range at West Seattle Golf Course was jam packed with golfers, neighbors and others anxious to see what the design team for the project had come up with Wednesday, night Oct. 27. This, following a meeting in September that was marked by a very vocal contingent of local golfers who saw the proposed changes as "desecration" of the 70 year old, Chandler Egan designed course.

The design team presented a plan that was intended to address, "the environmental concerns, neighborhood concerns and golfer concerns."

(See the attached image files for the current view of the plan plus a phased approach to construction and a meeting outline).

The changes in the latest version, as described by Todd Schoeder of iCon Golf Studio, architect for the design team are, "The biggest changes from our last plan are threefold. We've created three new golf holes and a new driving range facility but in a different location from the other plan that negatively impacted the golf course.

The Associated Study Body (ASB) of Chief Sealth International High School is a hosting a youth Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 30th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

This event will feature a large bounce house sponsored by the Chief Sealth PTSA and a variety of games run by students with plenty of candy and prizes, with a prize for every kid.

games include:
• Sail boat races
• Balloon Stomp
• Bank A-Shot
• Bean Bag Toss
• Bowling Pin Knockdown
• Funny Photos
• Hoopla
• Basket Ball toss
• Pick my pocket
• Tattoo parlor & Face Painting
• Lollipop Tree & CAKE WALK

There is no entry fee although donations are gladly accepted at the door with all proceeds benefitting the Class of 2011 Grad Night activities.

In addition, ASB is supporting a local organization, Family Promise of Seattle, and all money that is raised from kid’s face painting will go directly to them. Family Promise of Seattle helps newly homeless children and their families by getting them off the streets and into a stable, supportive environment that moves them toward self-sufficiency.

The West Seattle Herald was contacted by Southwest Youth and Family Services yesterday Oct. 27 regarding the Cambodian family scarred by the violence of the murder suicide that took place in White Center Sep. 23. They have reported that the money assessed by the family's landlord for damages has been raised.

"THANK YOU to everyone who is helping the family! SWYFS is beyond lucky to have such a loving community. We have raised the $1800 thanks to you and are now using the remaining money to help cover the costs of moving. They will be moving into two separate households if all goes as planned and will need deposit money, moving help and whatever gently used household items you might have. Does anyone know of a good storage company here in West Seattle? We could really use a small space to store the donations until they move into permanent housing. Thank you for all you do to help SWYFS make the community safer and supported!

Best, Cara

Cara Kroenke
Fundraising Director
Southwest Youth and Family Services
4555 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA 98106
ph: 206/937-7680
fax: 206/935-9967
www.swyfs.org

SDOT Press Release:

The northbound, far left lane of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day from Monday, November 2 to Friday, November 5. The lane will be closed from South Holgate Street to South Massachusetts Street. Seattle Department of Transportation crews will repair a concrete rail.

Highline Medical Center's Cancer Center and Habitat for Humanity are hosting a morning full of information, screenings and fun, during a discussion of early detection of cancer, wellness and self-care regarding cancer education.
The event will take place, Saturday, Oct. 30th from 11 am to 3 pm at the Habitat for Humanity house, 6501 31st Ave S.W.
The event will offer free screenings for blood pressure and skin cancer. Men will have the opportunity to get free information on prostate health and testicular screening. Women can learn more about breast health and self breast exams as well as pre-screening and enrollment for qualified attendees, made possible by a grant from the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
No registration is required. For more information, call 206-431-5248 or log on to www.HighlineMedicalCenter.org.