November 2010

I would like to comment on your article about parking regulations. Two-hour parking is OK, except when you are with a group and having diner or lunch at a local restaurant

Usually with a large group it does take over 2 hours for dinner and if there is a 2-hour limit it may mean that our group may have to go outside the Burien area where there is no time limit on our parking.

The other concern is that there are doctors, dentists and other offices that sometimes take more than 2 hrs.

There must be a different approach to this problem than limiting parking along 152nd.

James Jacobs
Burien

The Andy MacDonald 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit boys vs. girls soccer game will be held Saturday, Nov. 27 at Highline Memorial Stadium.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the game begins at 12:15 p.m.

All proceeds will go to the Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship for Burien's Puget Sound Skills center firefighting program.

Admission by donation is accepted at the stadium and after the game at the Normandy Park Cove, 1500 S.W. Shorebrook Dr., where the gathering will continue.

Donations may also be sent to Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship Fund, C/o Puget Sound Skills Center, 18010 8th Ave. S., Burien 98148.

MacDonald was a friend, son, brother, and volunteer firefighter who, tragically, lost his life in the November 2006 flooding of the Cowlitz River. He was on a hunting trip with his family when the riverbank that his car was parked near gave way.

Out of tragedy, something good was born; MacDonald's family and close friends set up a scholarship in his name.

After 25 years, the Alki Bakery location on Alki Avenue closed its doors for good, according to employees. The other two outlets remain open. Apparently, they had a special arrangement with the landlord that just ran out.

Owners, CEO Kevin Piper and father, Dean, are saddened by the close, and especially for their employees, but say they will continue with their wholesale bakery business and are trying help their employees find related work. However, they asked not to be interviewed during this troubling evening.

Some passersby stopped and seemed shocked when they read the sign on the front door that the bakery closed.

"I assumed they were going through a remodel," said one onlooker. "Closed for good? I can't believe this."

A second sign reads, "Please visit our cafes at 5700 1st Avenue South, Georgetown, and 20809 72nd Avenue South in Centerpoint Corporate Park, Kent. Our products are also available at Metropolitan Market, West Seattle Thriftway, and many local coffee shops and cafes."

The South Seattle Community College Culinary Arts Program often has guest chefs, but on Monday, Nov. 15 they welcomed an industry professional who could teach them some of the basics of butchery. Joey Brewer, Head Butcher at The Swinery at 3207 California Ave. s.w. was on hand to show students how to 'break down' a pig into its component parts.

Approximately 40 to 50 students (there are close to 80 in the program) crowded around two large tables in the kitchen at the College to watch an experienced professional do his work.

There's a lot to know and much of the work involves tools you might expect to find on a construction site, including a large hack saw and a mechanical saw called a Sawzall. Brewer made quick work of the process, first removing the head with a powerful twist, and then using a series of knives, cleavers, saws and brute strength to create the parts of the pig that people in the grocery store are familiar with.

Press Release:
Fifteen of the region’s top chefs will participate in South’s 2011 Gifts from the Earth gala, the annual event that celebrates the hospitality industry and raises funds for college programs and student scholarships. The singular event provides food and wine aficionados, donors, and sponsors a unique opportunity to interact with celebrity chefs and South students while enjoying innovative cuisine and the finest Washington wines.

The festivities, sponsored by Food Services of America, take place Saturday, January 29, 2011, at South Seattle Community College beginning at 5 pm. The evening features hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting and a silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction that includes unique wine and dining packages.

It’s the can’t-miss event of the year, as the region’s celebrity chefs create their own menus and prepare a multi-course gourmet feast for two tables (10 guests) each. All the courses are paired with fine wine from one of 30 Washington wineries, poured by student sommeliers from South’s own Northwest Wine Academy.

Some very lucky birds paid a visit to West Seattle Monday, Nov. 15.

Two large white commercial turkeys, part of the flock of birds from which a pair to be pardoned by the President will be chosen, came to the Delridge Community Center for a special school assembly.

As part of a statewide Washington Agriculture in the Classroom program in partnership with Foster Farms the turkeys were on display as officials from the company spoke to an assembly of children from West Seattle Montessori. The school is one of only two chosen to host assemblies in the Northwest.

The children, in preparation for the event made special turkey headbands and created turkey art

A West Seattle house on s.w. Manning St. became a media magnet Monday morning, Nov. 15, as city officials used a city employee’s abode to exemplify precautions homeowners should take to minimize the threat of a landslide.

“As the rainy season begins in Seattle, residents and homeowners need to be alert that the chance of having landslides greatly increases,” Bill Benzer, geotechnical engineer and landslide expert for the City of Seattle, said in a press release. “The soil will be saturated, which reduces slope stability, but certain measures can be taken to help protect yourself and your property from landslides.”

“What we found looking in our records over the years is about 84 percent of the slides that occur in Seattle have some kind of a human influence …,” Benzer said.

“There have been quite a few slides in West Seattle, and when I say West Seattle I’m going to lump both sides of the hill. Pretty much wherever there are steep slopes there is a potential for slides,” he added.

Benzer gave a tour of the house, built on a steep slope overlooking the downtown skyline, and pointed out several landslide prevention tips.

It has been nearly a year since West Seattle resident and UW student, Amanda Knox, was found guilty in Perugia, Italy for the murder of her British college roommate there, Meredith Kercher, Nov. 1, 2007.  Also found guilty was her boyfriend of six days, Raffaele Sollecito, and an unemployed drifter, Rudy Guede, with a long criminal history.

Knox's parents, who live in West Seattle's Arbor Heights neighborhood where Amanda was raised, maintain she is innocent of all charges. Her appeal trial starts Nov. 24, also in Perugia.

Complicating the case is the slander suit the prosecution and police have against Knox. She appeared in court Monday, Nov. 8, where it was determined there was enough evidence to try her on a separate case for slander. The case involves her statements during her murder trial in court that police mistreated her in custody while she was interrogated. Her parents face charges for speaking about this publicly.

Amanda's stepfather, Chris Mellas, is staying near Perugia and plans to remain until the appeal verdict is reached, which he believes will be in February or March.

So what will take place in court Nov. 24?

By MaryBeth Dagg
There’s quite a buzz around town, and it includes recent sightings of Otis Redding, the Duke, E.T., Woody and Queen Latifah here on our own Alki beach.

These non-celebrities are leading players in a drama unfolding on our West Seattle beaches and are actually just a few of the many harbor seals that “haul out” on our beaches throughout the year.

Seal sightings are just one of the joys of living in our beach community, but the combination of these cute creatures, people and pets can be dangerous. They’re adorable. We’re curious. And that’s where the trouble begins. Truth is, only 50 percent of seal pups make it alive out of their first year and human interaction can be extremely hazardous to their survival. If beach-goers get too close or leave their scent on a seal pup, the mother can easily be scared away or even not recognize her own pup, leading to abandonment. People need to know that feeding, moving or covering up a seal for warmth can have fatal consequences.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the City of Seattle invites the Ballard community to speak up about the proposed SR 99 bored tunnel. Together they’re hosting public hearings regarding the recently released Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The report analyzes the bored tunnel alternative for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct and describes its potential effects on transportation, nearby neighborhoods and the environment.

These hearings provide an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions, provide written comments and speak directly with a court reporter.

The hearing takes place at Ballard High School on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

The 45-day public comment period ends on Dec. 13, 2010 so now is your time to speak. The project team will respond to all comments in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, expected to be released in summer 2011.



To review the environmental document

- View documents online: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/library-environmental.htm.
- Visit local libraries in the greater Seattle area.