May 2011

Locöl Barley and Vine at 7902 35th s.w has quickly grown to be a West Seattle favorite and on many nights, it is hard to get a seat inside. With a capacity of between 50 and 60 people that means it can be crowded.

But the plan from the beginning, according to owners Kyle Duce and Shane Whitall was to install and open an outdoor patio area allow people to enjoy the same kind of atmosphere outside (and take a little pressure off the crowd).

That patio is now open though more remains to be done. It's a 12' x 12' space enclosed by a cedar fence that when complete will feature a full bench around the inside edge, art, plants and an outdoor heater. It will eventually seat (or accommodate 20 to 25 people. There are drink ledges and some decor in place now though more is coming.

Since it's an outdoor space and there are neighbors, Duce and Whitall kindly ask people to keep the noise level to a minimum and of course there is no smoking.

Here's the Farmers Market Fresh Sheet for this week.
Download and print out this sheet at the link above and take it with you for a shopping list.
May 29 – June 5, 2011

Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance Markets:
University District (UD) – Saturdays, 9 am – 2 pm, YEAR ROUND –
West Seattle (WS) – Sundays, 10 am – 2 pm, YEAR ROUND
Columbia City (CC) – Wednesdays, 3 pm – 7 pm, April 27 – October 19
Broadway Farmers Market – (BW) – Sundays, 11 am – 3:00 pm, May 8 – December 18
Lake City Farmers Market – (LC) – Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm – June 2 – October 8
Phinney Farmers Market – (PH) – Fridays, 3 pm – 7 pm – June 3 – October 7

Locations, Hours, Vendor and Event Info: www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org

New this Week:

*****NEW ITEMS IN ITALICS*****

Pea Vines
Sugar Snap Peas – first of season – limited quantities
Morel Mushrooms – Fresh, wild foraged – from Foraged and Found at WS, UD, BW
Bamboo Shoots – Rockridge Orchards – at UD, WS and CC
Sea Beans – Wild tidal flat weed – rich in salt –from Foraged and Found at WS, UD, BW
Beef Jerky – New flavors from Olsen Farms; Pepper and Teriyaki – at all markets

If you’re staying close to home this Memorial Day weekend, stay warm and dry with 2-for-1 tickets to Taproot Theatre’s production of Brownie Points. The “Memorial Day Discount” counts for Saturday's 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances.

In Brownie Points, the girls' club pledge never promised camping would be easy...for the moms. In the late night mayhem of a backwoods campout a storm rages outside, while a squall builds inside the cabin. Set against tranquil mountains, the close quarters, diverse backgrounds and differing walks of life collide, spurring hilarious but meaningful conversations about race, religion and parenting.

See our previous coverage for an interview with the director.

Tickets are available through the box office at 206.781.9707 or online at www.taproottheatre.org (discount code: “Memorial Day”).

Here's the May 27 report from the SPD Blotter on violators:

On May 27th officers from the Aggressive Driver Response Team (ADRT) issued the following tickets:

3100 block of SW Admiral Way – 30 mph zone

1 at 55 mph

1 at 50 mph

2 at 49 mph

1 at 46 mph

3 at 45 mph

2 No Proof of Insurance

West Seattle Bridge – 45 mph zone

1 at 65 mph

1 at 61 mph

1 at 59 mph

1 Cell Phone violation

Spokane Street Viaduct – 35 mph zone

1 at 58 mph

Airport Way South – 30 mph zone

1 at 42 mph

1 at 41 mph

2 at 40 mph

2 No Proof of insurance

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.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Nichole Curry is a woman who understands her life purpose. At a time when so many are changing careers and seeking new directions that means she's something of a rarity.

Being a deeply committed Christian helps and is the foundation for every aspect of her life but it is her expression of that faith through action that defines her.

Curry operates a canine services business that does much more than just walk dogs.

Services with a Smile offers:

• Basic obedience training including up to 15 commands
Behavioral Click and Squeak training.
• Basic agility and trick training
• Dog park adventures
• Dog walking

• Pet and House sitting
• Boarding
• Pet cab

"I provide all around dog care," said Curry. She's seeking just a few new clients since she's already pretty busy.
She can handle any size dog and surprisingly she said, "I actually prefer to work with aggressive breeds because they are misrepresented. It's always the people, not the dog."

This week, President Obama appointed New Futures board member and UW professor Luis Fraga to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. This commission will develop a set of action proposals to give to the White House and the Secretary of Education for a policy agenda to improve the educational attainment of Latino students.
New Futures operates learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in Burien and SeaTac. The nonprofit provides on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for over 1,800 people on an annual basis.
Fraga is currently Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, director of the Diversity Research Institute, Russell F. Stark University Professor, and professor of Political Science at the University of Washington.
In a press release, New Futures staffers wrote, “New Futures is honored to have his dedicated participation as a board member, helping us ensure that children succeed in school and in life.”

The West Seattle Summer Fest, set for July 8, 9 and 10 has released this years promotional poster designed by local designer and Feedback Lounge co-owner Jeff Gilbert.

“Being asked to design the poster for Summer Fest is the West Seattle equivalent of winning an Academy Award. I've been such a huge fan of the festival, every since I was a kid. More so now that I'm old enough to get in the beer garden! It's an absolute honor to be asked to contribute to the West Seattle community," said Gilbert.

The Fest is seeking performance ideas from the community as they nail down the event details. They are looking to hear from artists, dancers, and performers who'd like to showcase their talents in the heart of the festival.

Performers will have a dedicated area (but not a stage) and a sound system. They note that this is an opportunity for school groups, clubs, teams and specialized schools to demonstrate their talents and promote their message.

Email info@westseattlefestival.com to express your interest in performing.

Press Release:
South Seattle Community College will host a very special presentation Thursday, June 2, exploring the often untold and unknown history of Seattle’s Civil Rights movement. Four original and active members of CORE – Joan Singler, Jean Durning, Bettylou Valentine, and Maid Adams – will share their eyewitness accounts and observations as they tell this riveting story.

The presentation is sponsored by South’s Black Student Union and Continuing Education Department.

This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, June 2
12 – 1:30 pm

Olympic Hall Theater
South Seattle Community College
6000 16th Avenue SW
Phone: (206) 934 -6895
Email: laura.matson@seattlecolleges.com

For neighbors living in the neighborhood around 22nd Ave s.w. and s.w. 110th St in White Center, the time has come to gather, meet and start watching out for each other.

Coordinated by White Center resident Aileen Sison, a group of about twenty assembled to share a potluck dinner and, for many, meet each other for the first time on May 27.

“I know the cars in my neighborhood better than the people,” Sison said, prompting her to print out flyers and go door to door to nearly 40 houses, asking people to come to the Blockwatch Party and learn how they can organize.

Over the last year or so, Sison said the neighborhood has seen an uptick in burglaries, car prowls and illegal dumping in the rather remote neighborhood of White Center.

She remembered reading about a huge spike in West Seattle burglaries in April:

“And I’m thinking wow, if its happening over there on the good side of the hill I wonder what it’s like over hear – double, triple?”

Neighbors gathered to share good food on a pleasant Friday evening, swapping stories evenly mixed between tales of their burglary experiences and more lighthearted topics.

Eleven Italian lawmakers signed a letter May 25 to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano questioning the fairness of the treatment of West Seattle raised Amanda Knox by the prosecution that handed her a 26-year jail sentence for the 2007 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox's appeal process continues. They also questioned the handling of her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito's case.

Here is the letter, in English:

The lawmakers, led by Member of Parliament Rocco Girlanda, called for an investigation. Girlanda is President, Italy-USA Foundation, and is with the Chamber of Deputies - Judiciary Committee in Italy.

The lawmakers told Justice Minister Angelino Alfano, in a letter and petition, that the two defendants had not been treated fairly and they call upon him to use his office to “help reconcile and mitigate the many controversies that this incident has generated on this side of the Atlantic and beyond.”