May 2011

SeaTac firefighters finally have a contract.

The firefighters have been working without an agreement since 2010, but SeaTac lawmakers unanimously approved a three-year contract on May 10.

The city and the International Association of Firefighters Local #2919 had been negotiating since October 2009 with a tentative agreement reached during the mediation process in September. Firefighters ratified the agreement in March.

The City Council was scheduled to vote on the contract April 26. However, Councilwoman Pam Fernald asked that the vote be delayed two weeks so she could ask some questions during an executive session. Personnel decisions are handled in private sessions with the public barred.

City Attorney Mary Mirante Bartolo reported May 10 that an executive session had been held with Fernald, Councilman Rick Forschler and Mayor Terry Anderson present. Fernald was absent from the May 10 council meeting.
Forschler said he would vote for the contract because it would cost the city more to go through arbitration.

Despite a student march from Highline High School to district headquarters and impassioned pleas from students, parents and coaches, Highline Public Schools board president Sili Savusa announced May 11 that Dr. Jim Rice will not be allowed to volunteer as a coach and doctor for Highline athletics.

The board upheld a decision by new district athletic director Terri McMahan. The board held two executive sessions on the matter, including one with Rice.

Rice, former Emergency Department lead physician at Highline Medical Center, has been giving low- cost sports physicals at Highline High for 25 years. He has also served as assistant wrestling coach and has been the Highline football team sidelines doctor since 1985.

While saying she could not discuss the details of personnel matters, Savusa said the decision was made for the safety of students and to uphold compliance with district rules and regulations.

"I wish I could say more to you," Savusa told board meeting audience members. "I understand your commitment and passion. This is not about a person's character, it is about working within the parameters of the district."

On Friday, May 13 and Saturday May 14, overnight from 9:00 PM - 5:00 AM, each night; Routes 21,22,56 & 85 will be rerouted off of 1 Av S at Spokane St.

During these nightly closures, 1st Av S will be closed northbound at S Spokane St.

Heading toward downtown Seattle, Routes 21, 22, 25 & 85 Night Owl will travel instead via 4th Av S & S Horton St with no missed stops and will serve all posted stops along the reroute. The southbound service heading toward West Seattle will not be affected.

California Nails Salon, 4824 California Av. SW, reopens Monday, one month after a car drove through the shop's front door. Nobody was seriously injured, although owners Anh and Binh Nguyen were inside at the time. It was April 11. Anh told the West Seattle Herald that they received some money through the driver's liability insurance policy but that it has been a financial struggle to reopen. They live in White Center.

"We just took the business over last June," said Anh, 46. "We have four spa and pedicure tables and four manicure tables." Binh is known for her waxing. "She has been doing this for a long time in Vietnam. I went back and married her. I sponsored her to come here nine years ago. Our daughter, Evian, is going on 8."

"I walk around and people see me, give me a hug, ask 'When are you open again?'" said Binh. "Everybody please come back. Thank you very much."

California Nails Salon
4824 California Ave. SW

(206) 935-4014

SLIDESHOW: CLICK THE PHOTO TO VIEW SLIDESHOW

The new musical, "I'm Into Something" is playing at the Centerstage in Federal Way through June 5.

The theatre is located at 3200 S.W. Dash Point Road. Tickets and information are available at 253-661-1444 or www.centerstagetheatre.com.

Centerstage offers this quote about the musical:
"The United States of America may have declared independence in 1776, but they were invaded again by the Brits in the 1960's. This high energy, high octane musical is fuelled by the hit songs of the Great British bands of the day."

Highline Community College in Des Moines has selected Linda Yoshida - nonprofit leader, award-winning author and entrepreneur - its 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award winner for her dedication to philanthropic work.

She will be honored 3 p.m. June 9 during the college's commencement ceremony at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

"In addition to being a successful business woman and author, she uses her talents to serve her community," said vice president of Institutional Advancement Lisa Skari, who nominated Yoshida for the award. "Linda has a special place in her heart for Highline, and she has recognized Highline for its part in her success."

Yoshida discovered her passion for writing while attending Highline and graduated with her Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in literature and business administration in 1974.

She has won numerous literary awards and was a 2008 finalist for the prestigious Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest that promotes excellence in the romance genre. Her first novel, "Flaherty's Crossing," is being considered for a Hallmark Channel film.

A group of residents came out to the Ballard District Meeting last night specifically to hear more information about the lane changes coming to 20th Avenue N.W.

The Seattle Department of Transportation is planning to add bicycle lanes to 20th Avenue NW between NW
Market St and NW 65th St to make "bicycling easier and safer in the Ballard Neighborhood."

To make way for these bike lanes on either side of the street, SDOT will be removing the center turn lane on that stretch of 20th Avenue NW.

Carol McMahan from SDOT said the project ranked high in the bike master plan priorities list as it will connect the Ballard Business District with residential areas. Re-striping is scheduled to start in July or August.

"We ask you to get the word out and forward concerns before construction this summer," she said.

According to SDOT data, this change will not affect traffic flow or inhibit access to residential side streets due to a low traffic volume on this particular stretch of road.

"These changes are happening to make 20th Ave NW a complete street so that it works better for all forms of transportation," according to SDOT.

Editors note: more photos from the game will be added shortly.

The Tyee Totems varsity soccer team clashed with the White River Hornets in a Division 2A playoff game on the evening of May 11 at Foster HS’s Werner L. Neudorf Stadium.

It took the full 80 minutes plus 10 minutes of extra time and a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner in a tight back and forth game between the squads.

First Half
Tyee came out strong, stretching the field to their outside midfielders, pulling defenders out and creating space for dangerous crosses into the Hornets’ box. Tyee had many early chances on goal and held the ball in the Hornets’ third of the field for extended periods.

When White River broke free from the pressure they showed off a potent counterattack, creating quick chances and finally capitalized in the 20th minute. Zac Morris brought down a chipped pass outside the 18-yard-box and carried it towards goal. He lofted a shot over the Totem’s keeper to the far post – one of those goals where everyone was expecting a cross and he put it on goal instead. White River goes up 1-0.

The "Bring the Ring Back to Ballard" project from the Ballard Historical Society to get the Ballard Avenue bell ringing again is moving forward and the Society is looking for community participation.

In March the Historical Society received $9,700 from the Small and Simple Projects Fund and they have now purchased the necessary part to get the bell ringing again. The part is scheduled to be installed sometime this summer.

The Ballard Historical Society wants to involve the community in the process and encourages people to participate in the final planning of the project.

There will be an informational meeting at the Ballard Library on Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m.
 
See www.ballardhistory.wordpress.com for more information.

Service on the West Seattle-downtown route of the King County Water Taxi has been restored. It was cancelled earlier today due to a mechanical problem but KCDOT reports that repairs have been completed.

Please monitor service alerts, check the Water Taxi web site, www.kingcounty.gov/watertaxi, or call the Water Taxi information line at 206-684-1551 for updates.