June 2011

After three days of hearing last week, the Missing Link trial will continue and wrap up the testimonies today.

At the annual Friends of the Burke Gilman Trail meeting last week, attorney Jeff Eustis, who's working on behalf of the Cascade Bicycle Club in the Missing Link appeal, gave the group an update of what's happening inside court rooms.

The "Missing Link" section of the Burke Gilman trail refers to the area where the trail ends at Ballard's Fred Meyer and people are left to find their own route to the Chittenden Locks where the trail picks up again.

In February, SDOT completed additional environmental review of the Burke-Gilman Trail Extension to include a trail alignment along Shilshole Avenue NW, between 17th Avenue NW and NW Vernon Place. SDOT determined that the project will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment.

This decision was made after review of the project's potential impacts on several elements of the environment, including geology, endangered species, cultural resources, hazardous materials, transportation, and parking.

The new West Seattle Smoke Company, at 4748 California Ave. s.w.the Herald first told you about here, opened quietly the last week of May. After a delay in getting a stock of cigars, these have now arrived and are in stock. The store will also have a leather couch near the door. Further changes and updates are in the works including events that are now in the planning stage.

Omar Khan the Manager said the cigars for the store had been delayed as glass for the large humidors near the front the store had to be re-cut to fit the cases.

The shop occupies a very narrow but deep space that used to house a laundromat but they've met the space challenge by having very tall and shallow shelving that has the effect of showing off what appears to be a large inventory of products.

The captain and four crew members of the Rachel Marie Elliott Bay Water Taxi were recognized today for their heroism by Joe McDermott, West Seattle resident, King County Councilmember, and King County Ferry District Board Chair, and Larry Phillips, King County Councilmember and Ferry District Board Chair. McDermott and Phillips read a citation celebrating the captain and crew for saving a diver's life May 10 not far off of Seacrest Park.

They are Captain Neal Amaral, Frank Massaro, Aaron Barnett, and Vik Misic.

You can read our story about that rescue here:

McDermott spoke. "We are here to honor crew members of Rachel Marie (...) Whether they believe they are heroes or not I think they took action immediately, and quickly and because of that the diver is recovering today."

Also on hand was Scott Davis, Division Director, Marine Division,King County Department of Transportation.

By Chris Menges

Inside the Woodland Park Zoo, at the Raptor Flight Program, a red-tailed hawk is run through its paces by the trainer, a 20-minute daily exhibition is a delight to young and old alike. The hawk was rescued from a collision with a car where it lost an eye. It cannot be released back into the wild as it has lost the depth perception required to survive.

For more info, visit www.zoo.org.

The locally based and produced television show the Divine Marigold is still shopping their pilot episode but you have a chance to see it yourself at a special screening on Friday, June 3 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.

The screening starts at 7:00 pm.

The show was profiled in the West Seattle Herald last November.

As described by writer/producer/actress Lisa Coronado, "The Divine Marigolds is an off kilter family comedy about a large Irish family living in West Seattle. All the adult children have moved back home, resulting in hilarious yet deeply affecting moments as they all learn to live under the same roof again.
The Pilot episode finds the eldest daughter, Cora Marigold, dropping in on the family at dinner time after a long absence. Old feuds, forgotten love, questionable art, a Twilight obsession and a kooky priest combine to make this family truly Divine and unforgettable."

The White Center Business District Mixer meeting taking place Monday, June 13, 6-7:30pm at the Salvadorean Bakery 1719 Roxbury Ave s.w. promises to be a busy one according to Nahn Nguyen of the White Center Community Development Association.

Here's Nguyens list:

1. We will hear an update from the May 14, 2011 Spring Clean. For the business district, our volunteers picked up litter, planted edibles, painted a mural, and planted shrubs. Does anyone want to lead a regular clean-up for our business district? The CDA can supply trash pickers, garbage bags and gloves.

2. We will have a robust discussion on a Shopper Card including food guide that the CDA and the Chamber are working together. We need your ideas to design and promote it.

3. We have designed a resource guide for businesses to include important contact info for organizations/government entities that serve small businesses. We need your input to see if it will be useful to you. Are there other information you want to see in there?

A woman survived after being shot at the intersection of S. 136th and Ambaum Blvd. S.W. in Burien on June 1 at approximately 12:20 p.m.

According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, the woman was a passenger in the vehicle when an unknown male suspect opened fire, sending five bullets into the car and striking only the woman in her early 20’s. She was hit once in the upper body.

It is unclear whether she was specifically targeted or if there is a relationship between the victim and shooter, according to King County Sgt. John Urquart.

The victim was driven to a 7-11 store at 13456 1st Ave S.W. where emergency responders were called and an aid car rushed her to Harborview Medical Center.

King County and Burien Police swarmed the area after the shooting but were unable to locate a suspect.

Approximately 25,000 black bears live in Washington along with a couple dozen grizzlies. Bear ecologist Chris Morgan will visit the Woodland Park Zoo to demonstrate what happens when you don't "bear proof" your campsite and how to avoid attracting bears as Woodland Park Zoo’s grizzlies eat their way through a mock campsite.

As part of Brown Bear Car Wash sponsored Bear Affair & Big Howl for Wolves event, this demonstration highlights the world of bears as renowned bear ecologist and adventurer Chris Morgan makes a guest appearance for bear demonstrations and a book signing.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson and Rep. Reuven Carlyle will host a town hall forum to talk about the 2011 Legislative Session and what future steps our state should take.

The state legislators all represent the 36th legislative district, which includes the Seattle neighborhoods of Queen Anne, Ballard, Magnolia, Belltown, and others.

The 36th Legislative District Town Hall Forum will take place Saturday, June 11th at 9:30 a.m. at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 North 85th St.

Ballard Rotary, a volunteer-based organization that raises funds to invest in the community, is hosting the first annual Ballard 5K Run & Walk on June 12.

Under the slogan of "Do the Ballard", the event celebrates Ballard by welcoming participants to Ballard's beloved Golden Gardens Park, while the proceeds will benefit The Ballard Boys and Girls Club, The Ballard Northwest Senior Center, and Ballard Rotary.

Creative Scandinavian and/or Viking costumers are encouraged.

The starting line will be located in the overflow parking lot above Golden Gardens Park from which the participants have the option of "a briskly challenging 5k run and walk" or a flat 4.5k walk for families with children.

Children 12 and under run free with a registered adult, and receive a free Viking hHat compliments of Viking Bank.

Registration is available online and day of registration starts June 12 at 7:30 a.m.

For more information visit the Ballard Rotary website at www.ballardrotary.org.