February 2011

Ballardite Tony Comito remembers his friends Dr. Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle who lost their lives with Jean and Scott Adam at the hands of Somali pirates Feb. 22:

I first heard about it on the national news. I immediately recognized the names as two people who were very good friends of mine and members, as I am, of the Seattle Singles Yacht Club. I was the bartender at the Elks Club at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club where the club met Monday nights and I helped hosted their going away party two and a half years ago.

They were singles, but really a couple. Just a delight. It was almost as if opposites attracted. Bob was very shy. I never served him a drink in the bar. He didn't drink. Phyllis was the life of the party, and dressed up in wild costumes and danced. She was just a hoot. On Halloween she dressed as a very elaborate cat. She was always there to decorate and organized by the group.

They kind of got rid of everything and set off here and do their dream voyage around the world.

Some Metro buses are on snow routes this morning. Check www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow before you travel this morning. You can also call Metro at (206) 553-3000. Expect bus service status to change frequently throughout the day.

Seattle Public Schools reports that all schools are closed and Mid-Winter Break enrichment classes have been cancelled for today.

Press Release:
The City of Seattle Emergency Operations Center activated at 5:00 am this morning to coordinate the City’s snow response and monitor the impact of overnight snowfall on this morning’s commute. The National Weather Service is predicting an accumulation of one to two more inches of snow in Seattle up until 4 p.m. today.

As part of its ongoing response, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews will continue monitoring and treating trouble spots with 22 vehicles conducting anti-icing operations. Motorists can check on current traffic conditions and roadway images at SDOT’s Traveler’s Map at: http://web5.seattle.gov/travelers/.

There are several ways to find out if your bus is on a snow route:
· Sign up for a transit alert at: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/signup/index.html.
· Visit Metro's Snow, Ice and Flood page at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/rr/adverseweather.html
· Call Metro customer information at 206-553-3000.
· Metro may implement reroutes anytime and may return buses to regular routing on a route-by-route basis as conditions allow.

The field of alternative medicine offers many modalities from the questionable to the controversial and those offering the services or products are sometimes seen with a deeply skeptical eye. Medical marijuana and the recent growth of outlets that provide it have absolutely been in that questionable category but that is changing.

Two entrepreneurs on Alki believe they can accelerate greater acceptance and help a lot of people in the process.

Chris Montgomerie and Joey Phinney are the men behind a medical marijuana outlet called Pharmaseed Cooperative located on Alki (the exact location is disclosed only to patients). It is now one of two in the West Seattle area. The West Seattle Herald previously covered the story of an outlet in the Junction.

Press Release:

At the start of service on Thursday morning, Metro routes in the Central Seattle, North Seattle, North King County and most of the South Seatle Snow Areas are operating via their normal routes and stops, with possible delays due to conditions and service that is affected in East, Southeast and Southwest King County.

All Metro routes in the East King County, Southeast King
County and Southwest King County Snow Areas are on their snow routes.

Only rotues 106 and 107 are currently affected in the South Seattle Snow Area.

It is possible for conditions to change rapidly. Please plan your travel accordingly. Be aware of conditions in your immediate area, watch media reports, visit Metro Online for information and watch for Transit Alerts with updates as we get them.

Metro’s online Trip Planner does not reflect snow routing; use it to plan your trip as it would be under normal circumstances, but always check for service disruptions we’ve been able to plan on; they are posted in the Alerts section of Metro Online. Please note that unexpected disruptions may occur.

Press Release:
The City of Seattle Emergency Operations Center has released information on the snow event response and de-activated at 7:15 p.m. The Emergency Operations Center will re-activate 5 a.m to monitor the morning commute and coordinate the City’s response to the snow event. The Seattle Department of Transportation will continue to operate overnight. The National Weather Service continues to predict an accumulation of snow overnight in Seattle with additional snow likely to fall before 4 p.m. on Thursday.

There are several ways to find out if your bus is on a snow route:
· Sign up for a transit alert at: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/signup/index.html.
· Visit Metro's Snow, Ice and Flood page at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/rr/adverseweather.html
· Call Metro customer information at 206-553-3000.
· Metro may implement reroutes anytime and may return buses to regular routing on a route-by-route basis as conditions allow.

For information on Sound Transit services during snow events, please visit http://soundtransit.org/Riding-Sound-Transit/Schedules-and-Facilities/S….

By Patrick Dunn

For the workshop dreamers among us, it’s always a tough reality to face. You decide that it’s finally time to get all the tools you need to truly supply your new home workshop. Visions of routers, table saws, bandsaws, and jointers all dance in your head. Norm Abrams and Bob Villa start popping up in your dreams. You even start to design a workflow plan for your garage that’ll allow you to glide from one gloriously shiny new tool to the other, as if choreographing a woodworker’s waltz. This all continues until the day you have that horrible realization. If you’re actually going to have a workshop, before you get any that fancy stuff, one of the first things you’re going to need is probably just a lot of plain old, boring clamps.

The Bridge, West Seattle's newest bar/restaurant held a soft open on Wed, Feb. 23 with an invitation only event offering special prices and food and beverages for a select group of friends and associates.

The West Seattle Herald told you about The Bridge last week here.

The 17 person staff, including owners Trevor Garand and Rita Dixson will be on hand for the official Grand Opening Thursday, Feb. 24 which just happens to be Dixson's birthday.

After a few last minute jitters and some rush preparation to get menus and other items in place, everything came together at the last minute.

The new business has been remodeled extensively adding an outdoor seating area with a music stage. "It's going to be awesome this spring and summer when we can get some live music out there," Garand said.

For this weekend only the vacant lot has been made available for those wishing to park just adjacent to the new bar. "The Huling Brothers have been extremely gracious in letting us use the property this weekend," said Garand.

Press Release:
The Community College Business Officers (CCBO) announced during the 2010 Annual International Conference held in Hilton Head, S.C. that Dr. Kurt Buttleman will serve as the 2011 CCBO president.

In January, 2011, Dr. Buttleman assumed the newly-created position of executive vice president for Instruction and Administrative Services at South Seattle Community College. In that role, he is responsible for planning, directing and supervising all instructional and business functions of the college

Dr. Buttleman’s background in the Seattle Community Colleges is extensive. He has served as District Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and held positions at South Seattle and Seattle Central Community College campuses as vice president for Administrative Services, interim vice president for Student Services, and interim vice president for Instruction

His educational background includes a doctorate from North Carolina State University in higher education administration, a master’s degree from the University of Washington, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, both in business and finance.

Press Release:
The City of Seattle Emergency Operations Center has released an update on City operations and response to the predicted snow event tonight and tomorrow. Severe weather shelters will open tonight for those in need and the Seattle Department of Transportation is now working 12-hour shifts for 24-hour operations. Seattle Public Utilities advises customers to treat Thursday as a normal day for garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection. Community Centers and pools are following normal operating hours and athletic fields are open tonight.

Further details are below:

Human Services

Severe Weather Shelters will be available tonight and Thursday night at the Seattle Center Rainier Room. The Rainier Room is located on the grounds of the Seattle Center just north of Key Arena at 805 Harrison Street. The site serves adult men and women and opens at 9 p.m.

The City Hall and Frye Shelters are also open

The City Hall Shelter is co-ed and is located on Fourth Avenue between James and Cherry Streets. Shelter doors open at 9 p.m. People seeking shelter should arrive no earlier than 8:30 p.m.