July 2011

Ever wonder where your property tax dollars go, and why your property taxes may have gone up, but the assessed value of your home has gone down - now is a good time to find out as Lloyd Hara, King County Tax Assessor, will be on hand at the North Highline Unincorprated Area Council meeting Aug. 4 to provide information and answer questions about these issues.

Sung Yang, Director of King County External Affairs and Government, will provide information regarding the "Project Team" that has been developing a new model for "Public Engagement" with King County Government and residents.

All are Welcome.

Here's the Agenda:

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL
www.northhiglineuac.org

North Highline Fire Station 1243 s.w.112 St. White Center

AGENDA
August 4, 2011

7:00 pm Call to Order
Flag Salute
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes

7:05 pm Public Announcements

7:10 pm Public Comment
3minutes for Individuals
5 minutes for Groups

7:15 pm Lloyd Hara, King County Tax Assessor
7:30 pm Mike Martin, Burien City Manager
7:40 pm KCSO – Major James Graddon

Alki Beach went Hawaiian Saturday when over 200 outrigger canoe paddlers from age 7 to over 60 participated in three races, two beginning near the Alki bathhouse, rounding Blake island, and returning for 12 and a half miles, and a shorter one to Duwamish Head and back. They paddle six to a boat. The boats are fiberglass and traditionally weigh 400 pounds, the same as their traditional wooden Hawaiian counterparts. However, a new design in what is called the "Unlimited Class" weighs 275, quicker and easier for six people to lift and carry.

Boy Chun Fook, who is Hawaiian, is a member of Federal Way's Kikaha O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club, which translates to "Glide over the sea". He is also president of Pacific NorthWest Outrigger Racing Association, or PNWORCA, 18 clubs, while the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club is the sponsor and host of this event. It's called "DaGrind".

"We got a new course today," he enthused. "Last year we had two, six-mile loops. This is really nice, going around Blake Island. "It's all family over here, 'ohana. We have crews from Oregon, Bellingham, Tri-Cities, all coming together."

Click on photo for SLIDESHOW

Floats lined up on the south side of Mercer Street north of the Space Needle while marching bands practiced at Seattle Center during the "Taste of Torchlight", a preview of tonight's Seafair Torchlight Parade.

Before West Seattle resident and King County Executive Dow Constantine helped kick off the parade (he was #10 of #106 entries) there was some participation from West Seattle in the "Taste" including the Hi-Yu Festival Float, South Park Legacy of Innovation Float, & All City Band with numerous Chief Sealth students and alumni.

Village Green Nursery, still facing foreclosure and whose future is decidedly uncertain will be the focus of a fundraiser now set for August, 31 at Big Al Brewery 9832 14th Ave s.w. in White Center at 6:00 pm.

The West Seattle Herald detailed Vera Johnson and Village Green Nursery's story here.

Aileen Sison of WC B.O.S.S. and Justin Cline of Full Tilt Ice Cream are working to bring the event to reality.

The benefit will also be showing a entertaining and informative short film as well as feature guest speakers addressing the housing crisis to raise foreclosure prevention awareness.

At this time only one musical act is booked, Rats in The Grass, but more are expected as the date approaches and they are seeking more

Members of an unusual but by no means unpopular group called Gasukan gathered at Lincoln Park on Saturday July 30 to dress up in sometimes amazing costumes, socialize and share their love for anime, and fantasy fiction.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

Cliff Nordman, one of the members explained, "It's basically a monthly costume party. Every month we pick some public place and some date and we all show up and wear costumes (...) It started back in 2007 and we've had 40 of them so far. Gasworks was the first one which is kind of where the name came from. We had to have kan at the end and we need a name at the beginning so we chose Gas for Gasworks, and we had Gasukan. Some people are photographers, some people show up to have super awesome costumes, some people just show for fun to share food. It's a lot about socializing."

Costume play or Cosplay is a type of performance art in which participants wear costumes, makeup and accessories to represent a specific character or idea.

The Nordic Heritage Museum announced today that a free memorial concert, “Alt for Norge,” will be presented at the Museum on August 14 at 2:00 p.m. in response to the recent tragedy in Norway. The concert is being organized by Laura Loge and Signe Mortensen, two local Scandinavian American sopranos based in the Northwest, along with Norwegian concert pianist Knut Erik Jensen.

“News of the tragic attacks on peace loving Norwegians has stunned the American people and we have joined together to present a memorial concert for the victims and help begin the healing for those affected and living far from home,” said soprano Laura Loge.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct northbound lanes will be closed tonight for the Michelob Ultra Torchlight Run. The run starts at 6:30 pm.

Preparations for the run will close northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel for several hours starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30.

The northbound lanes are expected to reopen by 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

There's a new route for the run this year:

Start Seattle Center at 2nd Avenue and Thomas, South on 2nd Avenue to Denny Way, East on Denny Way to 4th Avenue, South on 4th Avenue on the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade Route, Right on Washington Street to 1st Ave in Pioneer Square, Left on 1st Ave to Royal Brougham near the Stadiums, U-turn onto the Upper Level of the viaduct for scenic views of Elliot Bay, the city skyline and the Mountains, Exit at the Western Street Exit, Turn Right onto Broad Street from Western, Turn left on 2nd Ave back to the Finish at Seattle Center.

Southbound lanes to close too