April 2011

You may well think that it's sometime in early October but no, the days are actually getting longer and the warmth of the sun is slowing improving things. In an optimistic move The Wing Dome, West Seattle has put the finishing touches to their brand new patio and it is now open for business.

Speaking on behalf of the Wingdome Katie B. Williamson said, "So eventually when Spring decides to make an appearance do come enjoy some hot wings and cold brews and soak up those sunbreaks. No worries if there’s a chill in the air - if the wings don’t take care of it, the warmth of the cozy fire pit hopefully will!"

The West Seattle Herald covered the opening of the restaurant in October.

So if the sun is out, you can in fact sit outside...but if not, there's plenty of hot sauce inside to keep you toasty.

Silhouette artist Karl Johnson made paper silhouettes of dozens of children Tuesday at Curious Kidstuff, 4740 California Ave SW. He will appear at Capers, 4525 California Ave SW, this Saturday, April 23. Call them at 206-932-0371 to reserve a spot.

"Silhouettes take only 90 seconds and squirmy children are welcome," said Johnson, 46. "Most parents think it will take a lot longer, and fear that their kid won't sit still long enough to do it."

Johnson is known in the celebrity playground of Los Angeles as the guy to hire to capture the profiles of high-profile stars with his black paper tiles and oval frames. He appeared three weeks ago at the wedding of Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth. He said he did not exactly learn the art from his father, who did what he does. However, his father gave him his scissors at age 10, which he continues to use. His father once did the silhouette of jimmy Durante, nose and all,. He even uses his father's "medical scissors" as his lone tool for snipping which he carefully carries in a pouch on a strap around his neck.

Press Release:
If you live in District 1 or District 2 (see District boundaries below) of the North Highline Unincorporated Area, and are thinking of running for a seat on the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, there is still time to submit an application.

There will be a special three day filing period, April 26, 27, and 28, for the upcoming Council election to be held on May 19, 2011. Applications will be accepted for a two year terms for these two districts.

District One. All precincts lying easterly of State Route 509.
District Two. All unincorporated area bordered on the north by the City of Seattle, on the south by the City of Burien, on the east by State Route 509 and on the west by 4th Avenue SW.

To obtain a Candidate Filing Statement or to learn more about the position contact Barbara Dobkin, Chairperson, Elections Committee, bdobkin@northhighlineuac.org or click here.

Gigi the cat lives with Ben, Porsche and nine month old Vera Howard. She was originally owned by a college student in Bellingham that really wanted a cat but took it back to her parents in Seattle when she realized it wasn't working out. The Howards lived nearby and Gigi was spending a lot of time at their house so the owners said "why don't you just keep her?" That was two years ago and she is now two and a half.

Gigi's nickname is "Bugs" short for 'jitterbug' because she is so active. "We call her the catdog', "said Porsche. "She does almost everything like a dog. She greets the neighbors when they come home from work, most cats are skittish and run away. Every time we leave the house we can't help but find people that say, Oh we love your cat."

She is well known for cruising through the neighbors houses to check in.

Ben says it's fun to watch Gigi frolic with her cat friends in the "cat forest', the large shrubs between the houses. Gigi is the ring leader of the neighborhood cats.

She is also friendly with the neighborhood dogs, walking right up to them and sniffing and playing like a good dog would.

The Super Deli Mart at 35th Ave. and Barton St. was packed Tuesday night with beer tasting enthusiasts, a ritual every other Tuesday night there since January. This was the last until October, but many unusual beers on tap will be offered every day during business hours.

Owner Min Chung had his hands full. "Over 100 people came to this tasting so far," he said with about an hour to go. "The majority of my customers are local. I know half of my regulars by name and about 80-percent of my customers are regulars."

Min lives about a mile from his business.

"Every day I serve on tap," he said. "It's a rotating tap handle so every time it's different. This is a special tasting with special breweries. Tonight we have Stone Beer. We had Dogfish Head, Pike, Elysian. I wanted my customers to taste beer off the tap. It is more cost-effective than out of bottles. This (beer tasting) started off in January with 35 people. It's overwhelming sometimes, but it's fun."

West Seattle Be Prepared and the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network held a free SNAP training session for area residents at the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct on April 18.

Debbie Goetz from the City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management ran the interactive training that focused on organizing one’s neighborhood or office ahead of time to be fully prepared if a disaster, most likely an earthquake, hits West Seattle. Goetz said preparedness is on many Puget Sound residents’ minds in the aftermath of Japan’s 9.0 earthquake on March 11, making today a “teachable moment.”

In a lighthearted presentation underlining a serious topic, Goetz used the analogy, “the day of the prom is not the day to take your dance lessons,” and encouraged Seattleites to prepare ahead of time for the “when, not if” occurrence of a major earthquake.

Culture getting in the way of preparation

Today was a perfect sunny day for the water feature at Commons Park to be activated. A few kids were already playing in the water while their parents watched. The water will be turned on everyday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be enjoyed until mid October.

From the SPD Blotter:

Today, there were TWO motorists tied for the dubious distinction of speeder of the day. The location: the West Seattle Bridge where the posted speed limit is 45 mph. The officers: members of the Seattle Police Department Aggressive Driving Response Team. Both violators were travelling at 70 mph and were cited accordingly.

Many other motorists were cited as well for a variety of other infractions.

The Seattle Police Department encourages all motor vehicle operators to be familiar with and obey all local and state traffic laws and to always drive with due regard for all others on the roadway.

The Women in Black will stand vigil for Ken Trygg at noon today.

Trygg was a local transient who was found dead last Thursday behind a dumpster on Market Street.

The vigil will take place from noon until 1 p.m. outside the Seattle Justice Center at 5th and Cherry.

The Women in Black will be joined by members of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, who are fasting, praying and calling for action for a compassionate State budget.

The Women in Black hold silent vigils whenever a homeless person dies outside in King County.

Justin Amorrantanasuchad, a 2008 graduate of Ballard High School died over the weekend in an accident in Boston.

Amorratanasuchad, was a film production student at Emerson College and died after falling off a five-story building.

According to a statement from the school's President Jackie Liebergott, Amorratanasuchad was filming a school project when the accident happened.  

"I wish to express my deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved Justin," Liebergott said. "A service to remember and celebrate Justin's life will be organized at an appropriate time."

Amorratanasuchad discovered an interest in film in high school and joined the Ballard High School Video Production Program.

"Justin was a very talented filmmaker and an inspiration to me and his fellow students in our Video Production Program here at Ballard High School. It was impossible not to enjoy working with him.  When he was happy, it was contagious.  His smile lit up the room," said instructor Matt Lawrence, who stayed in touch with Amorratanasuchad.