February 2011

Murray is an unusual combination of American Eskimo and Poodle which results in the unique name of Eskipoo for this kind of dog. He is owned by Kristin and Tim Shea and while he came from a breeder in Bellevue, he first arrived as a gift. "Murray was a Christmas present that showed up on our doorstep six years ago," Kristin said. "It was from me to her," said Tim.

"We were living in a condo at the time so he was small and doesn't shed too much, Tim explained.

Murray enjoys Science Diet dog food and loves rawhide chewies as treats.

Even though he's not particularly fierce, or large, or really menacing in any way "he saved us from a burglar," Kristin said. "Someone broke into our house in West Seattle and our bedroom door on the bottom level. Murray was upstairs and must have barked and you could see where the footprints came in and turned around, like he never went further than a few steps in."

"If he had opened the door, Murray would have taken off running the other direction," Tim said laughing.

Summer might seem a long way off but the people in the Morgan Junction Community Association are looking forward to it. They just set the date and time for the 6th Annual Morgan Junction Festival. It will be held this year on Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 10:30am to 7:00 pm.

As it has been since the pocket park at Morgan Junction was constructed at 6415 California Avenue s.w. that's where it will happen again with vendor booths around it and extending to the side street and into the parking lot behind Feedback Lounge, and Zeeks Pizza.

Part of the festival are kids' activities, live music throughout the day and the third annual "Bite of Morgan"!

If you would like to help plan or volunteer at the festival please don't hestiate to contact the organizers at cgstine33@gmail.com.

After suffering a fire in Sept. 2009 the Juneau Street Market at the corner of California Ave. s.w. and Juneau Street (5901 California Avenue s.w.) actually reopened eight months later but then closed again 6 months later and has been for lease ever since.

Now Mike Mikhail, who is of Egyptian descent, has signed the lease and will reopen the market "in the next seven to ten days." He said he already owns a Union 76 gas station-convenience store in Redmond.

Burgers, chicken, burritos and hot wings will all be available at the store, though not cooked on the premises, there is no kitchen. The store will stock the usual fare of beer, frozen foods and dairy products.

Mikhail said he plans on having some kind of opening celebration but that is still being planned.

Working behind the counter will be his cousin, Antonios Hana.

The store will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The Port of Seattle reports that it met with the Port of Moses Lake today to discover possible partnerships in economic development for King and Grant Counties. Commissioners and executive staff from both ports held a roundtable discussion highlighting ways the two agencies could work together to promote economic growth across the state.

From the press release:

"The Port of Seattle had a record cargo year in 2010 and is beginning to see signs of growth in all of its business divisions. "We are partnering with ports across the state to ignite Washington's economic recovery," said Seattle Commission President Bill Bryant. "We are committed to finding ways to increase exports and jobs."

Like Seattle, Port of Moses Lake operates an airport, the Grant County International Airport, and has a thriving industrial park within the agency's Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). The port is also working with WSDOT to study and fund the North Columbia Basin Railroad Project, which would increase access to rail for businesses in surrounding areas.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association will host its 21st Annual Wine Taste event on Saturday, Feb 26.

Co-sponsored by Ballard Market and Ken’s Market, the fundraising event includes elegant hors d'oeuvres, music by Pourquoi Pas and the opportunity to purchase wines tasted at the event.

For $30 you can taste up to 10 wines from 16 of the Northwest wineries. Several varieties will be offered by each winery, ranging from sweet whites to oaky reds.

Participating wineries include Airfield Estates, Animale, Auclair Winery, Charles Smith Wines, Chatter Creek Winery, Domanico Cellars, Elevation Cellars, Hestia Cellars, Northwest Wine Academy, Plaza Winery, Saviah Cellars, Sleight of Hand Cellars, Trust Cellars, Two Mountain Winery, Va Piano Vineyards, Windy Point Vineyards.

The 2011 PNA Wine Taste will take place at the Phinney Neighborhood Center at 6532 Phinney Avenue N. on Saturday, Feb 26, from 7:30p.m. until 10 p.m.

City officials and around 50 West Seattle residents gathered at the Senior Center of West Seattle on Feb. 7 to discuss the ever-evolving future vision of The Triangle, an area of the peninsula defined by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) as, “bounded and bisected by three major arterials – Fauntleroy Way s.w., 35th Avenue s.w. and s.w. Alaska Street … (it) serves as a major gateway to West Seattle.”

“Now is the time, with your help and input, to develop the type of community we want for the Fauntleroy Triangle,” councilmember Tom Rasmussen said at the open house.

“It’s an opportunity to prepare for the future and build on what is already great about the neighborhood,” Susan McLain, senior urban planner with DPD said.

There have already been several meetings between DPD and members of the West Seattle Triangle Advisory Group (they met six times in 2010) to lay the groundwork for what that vision is: a mixed-use neighborhood flush with green spaces, comfortable and safe travel whether on foot, bike, transit or car and a mix of business and neighborhood. In addition, the hope is to better connect to The Junction retail district on California Avenue s.w.

Five Burien residents were chosen Monday, Feb. 7 by the Burien City Council to receive the city’s annual citizen awards.
The five are Debra George, business leader; Maggie Larrick and Eric Dickman, community leaders; Michael Stein-Ross, education leader; and Brooks Stanfield, environmental leader.
The awards will be presented at a dinner event on March 4 at 8:15 p.m. at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W. The event, organized by Discover Burien, will include a silent auction.
George is a former executive director of Discover Burien and plans events for the group. She is also co owner of the Mark Restaurant in Olde Burien.
Larrick, a former Times/News editor, is managing director of the Burien Little Theatre. Dickman, her husband, is artistic director for the theatre.
Stein-Ross teaches at St. Francis of Assisi School in Seahurst. He and his students are building a rain garden at the school.
Stanfield organized the bike rodeo at last year’s Burien Wild Strawberry Festival and has been an advocate for bicycle use.
The council also heard a presentation on the King County Library System’s North Highline Library Service Area analysis.

The Pierce County Animal Control’s (PCAC) review of the shooting death of a Newfoundland dog named Rosie by Des Moines police officers in November recommends officers receive animal control training, but did not find anything significantly wrong with how the officers handled the incident.

Rosie was shot by Des Moines police officers after the officers decided all other methods had failed, and that she was a dangerous animal.
Since the incident, there has been a huge public outcry and large amount of scrutiny placed on the Des Moines Police Department.

The city sent the case to the King County prosecutor who found no criminal culpability against the police officers who shot Rosie. The city promised a third part review of the case, which was conducted by Tim Anderson, manager of Pierce County Animal Control (PCAC) and president of the Washington Animal Control Association (WACA). The review by the PCAC is not a criminal investigation, nor was it looking at whether Des Moines policies and protocol had been followed.

The first thing brought up in the report was Rosie’s lack of a collar.

Press release:

WORLD DANCE PARTY

Show Up, Get down- NO partner needed

Wednesday, February 16 , 2011

6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Senior Center West Seattle

4217 S.W. Oregon St., Seattle, WA 98116

6:00 pm – Share a Favorite dish for the Int’l Potluck or $5 donation –

Assorted Beverages available

6:45 pm- 9:00 pm - Free Mini lessons will be offered:

* Folk Dances * Hula * Jewish Dance * Salsa * Tap

*Charleston * Line Dancing and more if there is time

Reservations – 206-932-4044 SCWS

Co-sponsored by various Dance Instructors

Carol Johnston, Program Coordinator
Senior Center West Seattle
4217 S.W. Oregon St, Seattle, WA 98116
(P) 206-932-4044 ext. 3
(Fax) 206-932-4077

Press release:

Greetings, West Seattle High community!

Please mark your calendars, grab your friends, family and neighbors to come join us for a fun evening of fantasy gambling - all ages welcome! This is an important fundraiser allowing the WSHS Grad Night event to be offered at a price making it more affordable for all students. Grad Night is a fun, safe, legal event where our seniors can enjoy a final celebration. Help protect our future by keeping our kids safe!

WSHS GRAD NIGHT Fundraiser!

Fantasy Casino Blackjack

YOU’RE INVITED
to support the WSHS Class of 2011!

Thursday, March 3

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Pyramid Alehouse Restaurant

1201 1st Ave S, Seattle 98134 (SODO District)

~ Appetizers ~

~ Fantasy Casino Entertainment ~

Raffle ~ Music ~ Easy & Fun for All Ages!

Tickets $20 students, $30 pre-sale, $35 at the door (5 and under free)

Includes appetizers and $3,000 in Fantasy Casino money.
Prizes for the top 3 high rollers.

$5 raffle tickets - need not be present to win – exciting prizes!