December 2010

Dear West Seattleites.

I would like to thank each and every member, participant, and community member that has been a part of the Senior Center in these past years.

The Center is a part of the community to assist with services for the more mature – over 50 years of age (I being one!) members of the community as well as classes and fun activities that are needed and requested by the participants.

The year of 2010 has been very challenging as far as fundraising, and 2011 will be even more of an adventure. The County has backed out their $56,000.00 of support, and Senior Services has reduced funding by $30,000.00, however the City is still with us with a donation of $22,000.00 out of our $500,000.00 budget.

We will be adding fundraising opportunities to assist the bottom line. Most of our budget is for upkeep of the building and staff, and I do not want to have to cut any further than we have already. So, here is to a new year that will bring us and the other not for profits in our community a stable donation base to allow our services to continue at the present level.


The Blue Glass

704 NW 65th

206-420-163
1
http://www.theblueglass.net/





The Blue Glass -- opened in early December in the spot on N.W. 65th Street that’s been empty for a while since the demise of the interesting but doomed Tiger Tail-- has kicked up quite a stir in the neighborhood. And the anticipation and buzz are fully warranted.


Marching into existence with the winning style and confidence of a venue that is packed to the gills with experienced owners, managers, cooks, bartenders and servers, The Blue Glass fulfills its mission of being casual yet classy.
Co-owner Dan Cowan, with a long resume of reliable spots, is partnering with Patti Bellafato, formerly of Saltoro. Let it be noted they have indeed hit the ground running.

 Wisely, they’ve left the warm and inviting bar and basic floor plan from Tiger Tail, while getting rid of some of the fun-but-busy clutter (like the pillows and the tiny non-functional stage) that could make Tiger Tail feel cramped and congested.

In 2011, Taproot Theatre, founded in 1976, will celebrate its 35th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone year, Taproot has made tickets available for everyone. Previously available for subscribers, tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale next Tuesday, Jan 4 at 12 p.m.

The line up for the 2011 season includes,

The Odyssesy, February 2-March 5.
Originally directed by Mary Zimmerman, Homer's classic is the epic myth of the brave and courageous Odysseus as he valiantly seeks his homeland and the arms of his wife and child. You’re sure to recognize yourself in this sometimes comic, sometimes harrowing but always thrilling adventure.

The Beams are Creaking by Douglas Anderson, March 23-April 23.
Set in Germany in 1933, this true story revolves around Dietrich Bonhoeffer as he battles questions of morality, political allegiance and religious conviction. This true story will keep you on the edge of your seat as a tale of intrigue, conspiracy and high treason unfolds.

Brownie Points - A west Coast Premiere, May 18-June 28.

I have often heard criticism of some of my articles because they offer no solutions to the educational problems that America seems to be facing.

While visiting my son in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area a significant news item dominated the television for the better part of the week that I felt illustrates the problem. The solution, at least a significant part of it, to the reasons why other nations have surpassed us is in educating their youth.

A 13 year old girl was reported missing after attending a Monday night middle school basketball game. TV monitors showed her voluntarily leaving the game, and getting into a car with two adult males. By the time I arrived in the area she had been missing for several days. The parents were on TV pleading for her to return home. It was stated that she was an excellent student at the middle school with no history of running away.

There is more to this story, but let’s analyze these facts first for some clues as to why our education system might not be able to compete with those countries that are beating us hands down.

High winds Sunday, Dec. 26 were blamed for bringing down a large dead tree on four cars in the parking lot of the India Pentecostal Assembly of Seattle church at 1443 South 99th Street in South Park. No one was injured. The tree was from an adjacent piece of land.

The Pastor Matthew Samuel said that at 12:50 pm he was finishing his sermon of the week, ironically enough about the financial trials people sometimes face, when the entire congregation heard a huge crashing sound.

While area flora fanatics must wait until July 17th for the 17th Annual West Seattle Garden Tour, the 10 featured gardens have been chosen.

"Our reason for wanting publicity now is that we could really use more members and we would like people to know that it is a fun group with great food and wine at our meetings," said Bill Hibler, sponsorship chair.

There are now 25 to 30 volunteers. That number doubles during the tour itself.

"The tour is a 12-month long event that raises money to support local organizations," he added. "We want to emphasize that 100- percent of net proceeds stay in the community to support education, sustainability and gardening. In 2010 we distributed over $23,000 to local organizations.  Our goal for 2011 is $25,000.
 
"Our 2011 tour will include the Coleman Estate as well as five homes together in one neighborhood."

The West Seattle Garden Tour's sponsors accounted for over half last year's revenue, and seeks sponsors for its 2011 tour, including both cash sponsorship and in-kind business donations.

The Nordic Heritage Museum will hold its second annual Nordic Lights Film Festival on the second weekend in January, Jan 7 to 9. The festival focuses on contemporary, award-winning films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden and will be presented at SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall.

“We have a great line-up of Nordic movies, documentaries and shorts that will appeal to the general public as well as to those who are specifically interested in Nordic film,” said Eric Nelson, CEO of the Nordic Heritage Museum.

“Scandinavia generates so many superb films, but few make it to mainstream US theaters. This is a unique opportunity to watch high-quality films from these countries, that you would probably otherwise miss.”

The festival opens on Friday, Jan 7 at 7:00 p.m. with a humorous collection of recent Nordic shorts, and a look at the wilder side of the Nordic countries with “sexy Nordic shorts” beginning at 9:00 p.m.

New this week at area Farmers Markets around Seattle for the week of Dec. 26 including the West Seattle Farmers Market open every Sunday year round behind the Junction from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The West Seattle Farmers Market will be open Sunday, 12/26 and Sunday, 1/2/11. The West Seattle Farmers Market is featuring a special “Boxing Day” on Sunday, December 26th. Farmers have been encouraged to provide good deals in boxes all day long to market shoppers. Lucky loyal West Seattle shoppers can benefit big time and those of you who have missed the U-District Market over the holidays can make the short drive to the Junction – “Downtown West Seattle” and get your Farmers Market fix for the week.

A 26 year-old man wound up at the Kirkland hospital intensive care unit after a brutal beating outside 9 Million in Unmarked Bills on 3400 block of Fremont Place N.

According to a police report, the victim's brother contacted police on Friday, Dec. 18, after the victim was admitted to Overlake Hospital with a fractured jaw and injuries to his neck, shoulder, and face.

The man told police the victim had been at the Fremont bar earlier that night where he was "beaten, hit in the head multiple times, and left for dead on the sidewalk outside the bar."

The man wasn't with the victim during the incident but told officers several of the victim's friends had been at the bar that night, and said the victim got into an altercation with several "bigger guys" inside the bar.
One of the victim's friends intervened and bought the large men a round of drinks.
When the victim left the bar a short time later, the group of men followed him outside and attacked him, the report states.

The victim was taken to Swedish Hospital in Ballard, where he was treated and released several hours later.

4:40 p.m. on December 19th. 6800 block of 16th Ave. NE.

When homeowners returned to their residence on Sunday, Dec 19, they notice one of the glass panes on the front door broken out. After approaching the door, the victims heard someone snoring inside and looking in, found an unknown male sleeping on the couch. After seeing this, the victims returned to their vehicle and called police.

When officers arrived, they found the suspect still sleeping on the couch. The suspect's cell phone was plugged into the wall, and the suspect had indulged in wine and cheese belonging to the homeowners.

The suspect was immediately taken into custody.

A neighbor stated that around 9 a.m. that morning, she had witnessed the suspect knocking on the front door then shaking it before leaving. She also observed him attempting to open the lock on a bicycle sitting near the stoop. The witness later positively identified the suspect police had in custody.

6:06 p.m. on December 18th. 3500 block of Fremont PL N.