November 2010

For Seattle playwright John Longenbaugh the wait is finally over - his play debuts Friday night, one year after its supposed premiere.

Last year, the cast and crew were in the rehearsal stage when an arson damaged Taproot theatre. Without a stage, the play was cancelled.

“I started on the play in 2007,” said Longenbaugh. “So in reality, I have been waiting for three years.”

It’s been a long time waiting but Longenbaugh said that at this point, he’s not nervous but keeps his fingers crossed all the same.

“After the arson, I’m really hoping for no snowfall, no meteor showers or anything like that’” he said.

Longenbaugh’s play combines two classic stories: Arthur Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes” and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.

It takes place on Christmas Eve of the year 1894 on 221B Baker Street. After being presumed dead for three years, a hardened Sherlock Holmes resurfaces, turning his back on the people who need him most. Three unexpected callers arrive on Christmas Eve uncovering clues from the detective’s past, present and future.

The concept of combining Sherlock Holmes with other literary characters is nothing new, Longenbaugh said.

Press Release:
Last chance to experience these public programs. Only volunteer opportunities and school/organized groups will continue in 2011.

Camp Long, located at 5200 35th Avenue SW, offers numerous opportunities to Explore Urban Nature.
For more information go to: http://seattle.gov/parks/environment/elc.htm

December

Nighttime Beach Low Tide
Ages 8 and older – kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Have you ever been at the beach for a low tide at nighttime? If not, you will see why it is worth bundling up, staying up late and bringing your friends. Meet at Constellation Park. Please register by calling 206-684-7434.

Location: Richie Viewpoint – 63rd Ave SW and Beach Dr. SW
December 4 Sat 8 – 10 p.m.
Course #59675 Activity Fee: $8

West Seattle Bird Loop
Ages 8 and older – kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Press Release:
On Saturday, December 4th, the White Center Community Development Association (CDA) is proud to host the 8th Annual Community Summit – an event that celebrates the White Center neighborhood and the many efforts of residents, organizations, and community partners to connect to resources and one another. This year’s theme – “White Center Promise- Uniting to Improve Our Lives and Community” – is driven by the concerns that local residents have raised about housing, healthcare, employment, and education in 2010. The Summit will feature workshops in each of these areas.

EVENT DETAILS
What: The White Center Promise – Uniting to Improve Our Lives and Community
When: Saturday, December 4; 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: White Center Heights Elementary & Educare Early Learning Center
10015 6th Avenue SW; Seattle, WA 98106

The Community Summit is a catalyst for local change led by the community. It aims to help residents find solutions to improve their lives in 2011 and beyond.

By Ken Robinson

The house at 16705 Maplewild, the one that the City of Burien condemned this week, was once my home. A little more than 20 years ago, my wife and I lived the beach-side life of Three Tree Point in what was then a rental. The house was owned by Bud and Sally Nelson. The Nelson's lived at the top of the hill on Maplewild where the road is at its highest point above the beach between Burien and Normandy Park.

They lived in a house designed by Bud. He designed the one on the beach too and they briefly lived there while their larger house above was being built.

Living on the beach in that locale requires some degree of sacrifice. There is no garage to pull into off Maplewild. You park on the side of the road snugged up against the embankment (and hope no one breaks into your car at night). Then, with whatever you might be carrying, you set out on a dark, dirt trail met by steps made from railroad ties, 95 of them, to get to your front door.

You learn to go the grocery story daily because the prospect of carrying five or six sacks of groceries down the hill is daunting. And you don't want to have to make multiple trips.

Press Release:

The National Weather Service says the snowfall may not be over in King County, with up to an inch predicted on Thursday morning.

So, Metro Transit will continue to have buses on snow routes on Thanksgiving and reminds bus riders that it will operate with a Sunday schedule for the holiday. As snow and ice melt and roadways return to normal, Metro will begin to ease back into regular operations.

The long holiday weekend includes already-scheduled changes for Metro service:

Thursday, Nov. 25, Metro Transit buses operate on Sunday schedule.
Friday, Nov. 26 there is a reduced weekday schedule which features more service than weekends but less than a regular weekday. This is done during holiday periods when Metro traditionally sees 20-40 percent lower ridership.

There are many holiday events in Seattle this weekend that will cause temporary reroutes and delays for bus service including the Ballard Turkey Trot on Thursday, the downtown Macy’s Holiday Parade on Friday morning, the Friday evening Westlake Tree Lighting ceremony, and the Seattle Marathon on Sunday and related events on Saturday.

The large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks has been reopened on a normal operating schedule.

The large lock was in limited operation from Oct. 10 until Nov. 9 due to an electrical power surge from a lightning strike. I was closed down on Nov. 10 for annual maintenance.

The damages from the power surge were more extensive than the maintenance crew originally thought. The main damage occurred in the large lock's hydraulic system driver and relay cards. Relay cards tell the hydraulic system what fluids to pump and control the speed of the opening and closing of the gates.

Because the center gates still require additional parts before they are fully operational, large lockings will be done using the full chamber.

For current information about activities at the locks, visit the Locks’ Web site at http://go.usa.gov/3sV.

Click on photo for slideshow

State Senator Joe McDermott was sworn in at 2 pm today, Nov. 24, as a member of the King County Council. The oath took place in the King County Council Chambers, 10th floor of the King County Courthouse, 3rd and James, in downtown Seattle. McDermott was scheduled to take the oath yesterday, but due to inclement weather the canvassing board that certifies the General Election postponed its meeting from yesterday to earlier today.

Holiday season is here. Kids are home from school and family comes to visit. How are you going to entertain them? Check the listings below for local events to put you in the holiday spirit.

The print deadline for calendar submissions is two weeks before the date of the event to be publicized. Email calendar@ballardnewstribune.com, or to get it posted online immediately, email anner@robinsonnews.com.

Winter Wonderland at Ballard Landmark
The holiday is drawing near,
The time to celebrate is here,
Join us for an evening of holiday cheer.
Hors D'oeuvres and Hot Toddy's, Tree lighting and a visit with Santa.
Free Event. RSVP to 206.452.1333
Friday Dec. 10th, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
5422 Leary Ave. N.W.

Reindeer at Swanson's Nursery
Swanson’s Nursery is once again home to reindeer Blitzer and Dasher, who will be staying at the nursery until Christmas.
Daily feeding at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
9701 15th Avenue Northwest
(206) 782-2543

Kathy Casey Food Studios Holiday Open House
Saturday De. 11th, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
5130 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-784-7840

Press Release:
The City of Seattle continues its response in treating snow routes through the day in response to the first snowstorm of the season.

The National Weather Service is forecasting sub-freezing temperatures to last through Thanksgiving morning and to warm later that afternoon.

SDOT:

SDOT continues working to prevent freezing on snow routes:
· Currently have 7 plow/spreader trucks operating in the north end and eight operating in the south end. One brine flush truck in the north end and two in the south end.

· Shift change from night shift to day shift was completed at 8:00 a.m.

· SDOT dispatched pedestrian response crews from both its Haller Lake and Charles Street bases of operations by 8:00 a.m., with help from its Urban Forestry unit, for a total of twelve crews dispatched citywide.

· Staff will continue to monitor elevated structures all day and will continue applying salt to them to achieve the best possible surface condition before the evening commute

· The Street Maintenance Division will stay on 12-hour shifts with 24-hour coverage into Thursday morning.

Waste Management has posted on their site that for Wednesday, Nov 24, as of 8:30 a.m.:
There will be no waste pickup for these areas of King County.

No residential service in these areas:
Burien
Enumclaw
Maple Valley Newcastle
Renton
Seattle
Woodinville
Limited residential service in other areas as safe access allows

Delayed Collection Schedule: In most areas, up to twice as much material will be accepted from residences on the next regular collection day for each container* except in Renton.

Limited commercial service in all areas as safe access allows.