June 2011

While the final tallies won't be available on Tuesday, June 28, the Seattle Foundation's one-day GiveBIG challenge is already being called the biggest single day of charitable giving in King County history.
More than 18,800 donations were made in 17 hours on June 23, totaling more than $3.5 million to go towards local nonprofits.

A “stretch pool” of an additional $500,000 was provided by GiveBIG partners, bringing the total amount raised to more than $4 million. The stretch pool will be distributed among all of the approximately 900 nonprofits that received donations during GiveBIG. Each nonprofit will receive a portion of the stretch pool according to the percentage it received of the total amount of GiveBIG donations.

“GiveBIG proved that King County residents are both generous and dedicated to improving their communities,” said Norman Rice, president and CEO of the Seattle Foundation, in a press release. “This event represents the democratization of philanthropy, in which everyone can make a difference in the world around them.”

By David Rosen

Seattle firefighters quickly responded to a garage fire in West Seattle shortly after 11:00 pm Thursday night around the 6300 block of 37th Ave SW on June 23.

Michael Silva the homeowner said, "There was a fire in my office which is in the garage, my wife had stepped outside and smelled something funny and she came inside and said 'You know it smells like something's burning outside.' And I said 'Well the neighbors are having a fire,' so I didn't think of anything of it but she said 'And I hear a beeping'. I jumped out of bed because I thought it might be the smoke alarm in my office and sure enough you could see smoke just billowing out of the roofline. I came back, felt the door to see if it was hot, opened it up and full on smoke, and there was fire in my office, so I could only expect it probably happened in the roof area since I couldn't see any flames immediately."

There were no injuries to be reported.

According to Seattle Fire Investigators the fire was caused by over heated wiring and was contained only to the attic portion of the garage. Damage estimates were set at $30,000.

Conner Homes’ planned two-building, seven story apartment/retail complex at the southeast corner of West Seattle’s Alaska Junction got the go ahead by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development today in a decision posted on their website.

Conner must get several approvals going forward as stated in the decisions on the land use application including a design review, the alley vacation, and an environmental determination:

"Land Use Application to allow two 7-story structures, one (the west structure) containing 10,355 square feet of a retail commercial at ground level, with a total of 70 residential units above ground level, and the other containing 15,330 square feet of retail commercial and three residential units at ground level and 123 residential units above. Parking for 271 vehicles and 64 bicycles will be provided in three levels of connected below-grade parking to be shared by each building. Project includes 55,000 cubic yards of grading. Existing structures on each site are to be demolished.

Advanced Marketing students in Alana Vinther’s Global Connections High School class in SeaTac were one of the first U.S. participants in an international Eco-Office program this spring – an experience (with a lot of hard work along the way) that culminated in sharing their experience with other Eco-Office students from Shanghai, China and New Delhi, India in a Skype online conference call on June 21.

As background, Eco-Office teaches students in 76 high schools around the globe how to evaluate local businesses for an environmental sustainability score, according to a Highline School District press release. The program is sponsored by Shanghai Roots and Shoots, “a China-based organization founded by Dr. Jane Goodall.”

Today, the Ballard Historical Society is completing their Bring the Ring Back project and invites the community to celebrate.

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, the ring returns to Ballard at last.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., the event will include a brief tribute to the Ballardites who brought the bell back to Ballard in 1989, hear its first automated ring, and a reception at the Ballard Landmark. The all-ages reception will feature live music, bell-themed treats and a no-host bar.

This project was made possible by a Neighborhood Matching Fund award of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks & Recreation and many generous volunteer efforts. The Ballard Historical Society in conjunction with the Bring the Ring Back to Ballard Steering Committee is particularly delighted to honor the original Ballard Centennial group, including late State Senator Ted Peterson and beloved teacher Bertha Davis by restoring the daily ring to the historic bell.

The event will take place starting at 5:30 p.m. at Marvin's Gardens, Ballard Avenue & 22nd Avenue NW.

Visit www.ballardbell.org for more information.

The map above shows crime density for West Seattle in the first five months of 2011.

Press release:

The city-wide and precinct major crime statistics for the first five months of 2011 have now been posted to the Seattle Police Department’s website.

SNAPSHOT ANALYSIS: Through May, major crimes were down citywide by 12% when compared with the same time period in 2010. This continues the downward crime trend that occurred citywide in 2010. Through May of 2011, violent crime is down 2% compared with the same time period in 2010, with homicides, rapes and robberies trending down and only aggravated assaults showing an increase. Property crimes were down 13% across the city through May 2011, when compared with the same time period in 2010. Vehicle thefts and larceny/thefts were down by double-digits and burglaries were up slightly.

For additional information and details, go to the link posted below:

http://www.seattle.gov/police/Crime/STATS.HTM

West Seattle Elementary is competing in a contest, sponsored by variety store Big Lots to win their share of $100,000 in cash prizes:

As part of the 2011 Lots2Give contest, the public is being invited to view the videos submitted by the participating schools at http://www.biglots.com/lots2give and vote for their favorite. To enter the contest, schools submitted a 90 second video and a brief essay on why their school could use some additional financial support.

One $20,000 grand prize, four $5,000 first prizes and 30 $2,000 second prizes will be awarded.

Big Lots is encouraging the public to cast a ballot for their favorites and help support education at the same time.

o Voting began on June 6 and ends on July 4, 2011, at 11:59pm (EDT).
o Videos can be viewed and votes cast at: http://www.biglots.com/lots2give
o Individuals can cast three votes per person, per day.
o Winners will be announced on August 13, 2011.

UPDATE

Mayor Mike McGinn shares his reaction to plot with West Seattle Herald:

"My reaction was to be grateful for the hard work of the police department. This is a reminder that we also need to be vigilant, if you look back to the Jewish Center shooting, and Christopher Monfort (who killed Officer Timothy Brenton), and things that have happened in other places. I'm grateful to the community member who came forward and alerted the police department."

Press release from SPD:

Defendants Sought Firearms and Grenades to Attack Complex where Enlistees Report

Press release:
Jerry P. Palmer, MD, from Des Moines will receive the American Diabetes Association’s prestigious Outstanding Physician Clinician in Diabetes Award. The award will be presented at the Association’s 71st Scientific Sessions that will take place in San Diego, CA, June 24-28.

The Outstanding Physician Clinician in Diabetes Award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding efforts in diabetes care and is recognized as a highly regarded clinician and educator with more than 10 years of distinguished service.

"Dr. Palmer has contributed tremendously to unlocking the mysteries of the immune system and expanding learning about diabetes," said Linda Henderson, Executive Director, American Diabetes Association of Washington.

Currently a professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center, University of Washington, and chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Palmer has a distinguished career as clinician, educator, mentor, and scientist.

Hotel Ballard is celebrating their Grand Opening on Saturday, June 25. Located in the historic Bank Building at 5300 Ballard Avenue, the hotel offers 16 intimate rooms. completely restored to 1902 elegance with 21 century amenities.

The community is invited to celebrate the hotel's opening with hors d'oeuvres, music, and a tour of the hotel.

The Grand Opening takes place from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. RSVP to info@hotelballard.com