August 2011

A petition to restore the storefront Deputy to the White Center business district that was begun in July by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council now has an online version. We previously reported in error that the online version was unique but in fact it is the same wording that was written by NHUAC and has been available in physical form since early July. NHUAC was approached by White Center business owner Vera Johnson to also place the petition on Change.org where she found success in her pursuit of a loan modification for her home and business, Village Green Nursery.

That petition, which is available for signature at various White Center businesses has amassed more than 500 signatures thus far.

It reads:

"WE APPEAL TO KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOW CONSTANTINE, THE KING COUNTY COUNCIL AND SHERIFF SUE RAHR TO RESTORE THE FUNDING FOR THE WHITE CENTER STORE FRONT DEPUTY.

SINCE THE LOSS OF THIS POSITION, OUR COMMUNITY HAS SEEN AN INCREASED NEED FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE PRESENCE. DRUG DEALING, PROSTITUTION AND PUBLIC INTOXICATION ARE ON THE RISE.

Mayor Mike McGinn addressed the 36th District Democrats on August 17, following the voters approval of Referendum 1 in the primary elections the previous night.

Among the audience were politicians Bobby Forch, Tim Burgess, Larry Philllips, Mary Lou Dickerson, and Reuven Carlyle.

After a long campaign against the tunnel, Mayor McGinn said that topic is now closed.

"I've won some improbable campaigns and last night wasn't going to be one of them," he said.

"I did my best to keep my promise to voters, that I gave during my campaign, to ask the hard questions. I thought it was important to let the public vote on it. Not just have it be a deal made elsewhere but really let the public measure the decision before we spend three billion dollars...I asked the voters and the voters want to move ahead and thats what we're going to do."

McGinn said his other main issues - education and innovation - are still there but his focus on transit and transportation didn't end with the tunnel.

The mayor commended King County Council for rescuing transit and spoke about his campaign for rail opportunities.

Paintings and beadwork of noted native storyteller Johnny Moses hangs at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center in West Seattle. He just released two new CD's, together called Medicine Songs of the Pacific Northwest. Fluent in eight Native languages including Duwamish, he performs his storytelling at the Longhouse Aug. 26. A storyteller since 1976, he gave the official blessing for the Duwamish Longhouse opening Jan. 3, 2009.

Johnny Moses, a Ballard resident, turned 50 July 10. He is a Tulalip Native American raised in the remote Nuu-chah-nulth village of Ohiat on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. He was raised in the traditional ways by his grandparents. His traditional name is Whis.stem.men.knee (Walking Medicine Robe), and, according to his website, he carries the Si.Si.Wiss (sacred breath, sacred life) medicine teachings and healing ceremonies of his Northwest Coast people. He is also part Duwamish and a member of other tribes.

If Burien primary voters were given the chance to vote on White Center annexation, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

That seems to be the message from results of the August primary election.

Outspoken annexation critic Bob Edgar, who attempted to withdraw from the race and did not campaign, received 44.67 percent of the vote for Burien City Council Position 4, as reported by King County Elections Tuesday night.

Edgar outpolled two-term incumbent Gordon Shaw, who received 38.63 percent. Newcomer Joey Martinez lagged behind with 15.69 percent. Shaw has said he would support annexation if it is financially viable.

Edgar and Shaw will move on to the November general election.

In the other Burien council primary race, incumbent Lucy Krakowiak, the only council member to vote against Boulevard Park annexation, garnered almost 50 percent of the votes against two strong challengers.

Krakowiak received 47.98 percent while planning commissioner Greg Duff got 26.91 percent and parks board member Ed Dacy received 24.47 percent.

Krakowiak and Duff will face each other in the general election.

press release:
The newly opened Seattle Chinese Garden needs volunteers to staff our visitor center, lead guided tours and/or work with plants.

The Garden is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 5:30 pm.

Gardening work is on a flexible schedule. To learn more or to register, please visit the volunteer page at http://seattlechinesegarden.org or contact our office at 206-934-5219. We are located at 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle 98106 or the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus in West Seattle. Please help the garden grow into a regional landmark.

The next Volunteer Orientation is September 17 from 1 to 4 pm and includes a garden tour. Please RSVP at info@seattlechinesegarden.org.

The Southwest Precinct Picnic on Aug. 20 brought many residents out to enjoy the weather, scarf down free hot dogs and drinks and meet the men and women of the SPD who serve Southwest Seattle.

The event was sponsored by the Seattle Police Foundation and members of the SPD Mounted Patrol Unit, SWAT team, bomb squad (and their robots) and many Southwest Precinct lieutenants and officers were there for the community to meet.

“What’s wonderful about these picnics is they bring our community, which we serve, here to learn about all the things that the Seattle Police Department has to offer to the community,” Southwest Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen said.

“As well it’s a way for us, in a casual manner, to just talk to the people that we serve in our neighborhood,” he added. “It’s a wonderful event with good food and great music and like I said it is an opportunity to come and talk to officers in normal circumstances instead of a crisis.”

Captain Paulsen is coming up on his one year anniversary as precinct captain on Oct. 1, and had this to say about his first year at the helm:

Update for Sept. 12
The following letter is from Shukri Olow, giving thanks for a successful fundraiser and all those involved:

First and foremost, we, the planners of the Fundraiser dinner for Mercy Corps and Islamic Relief want to THANK our volunteers, our 11 High Point women who made the delicious and authentic Somali rice, hilib, chicken, qalwa, mandazi, sambusa and tea. AND those who helped serve the food and cleanup! Your commitment to your community is admirable. Our volunteers, and co-workers from Neighborhood House including Fredolyn, Bianca, Aparna, Jennifer—thank you for your endless efforts in making High Point a better community for all.

Secondly, SPECIAL THANKS to our presenters and those in attendance: Mayor Mike McGinn and his wife Peggy Lynch for their support, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Executive Director of Neighborhood House Mark Okazagi for his tireless work and engagement in this community.

Getting ready for his upcoming exhibit starting September 1 at Miro Tea, artist Matt Bazemore was seen painting on the sidewalks of Ballard Avenue this week.

Bazemore said "The Ave" is one of his favorite topics along with other Ballard favorites like Golden Gardens and trains.

"I do get out of the neighborhood a couple times a year but everything I need is right here in Ballard," Bazemore said as he continued to work on a painting of the Ballard Hotel.

"That's one of the reasons I like Ballard. I don't have to travel far for business or pleasure," he added.

Bazemore said he 's drawn to the old Americana.

"I feel it's vanishing on us. Examples are the old Denny's building and the gentrification of this strip," he said pointing at the various eateries and boutiques along Ballard Avenue.

A graduate of the fine arts program at Western Washington University, Bazemore started doing illustrations like the cover art for the Bellevue heavy metal band, Queenryche in the 1980s.

After years of supplementing his income with landscaping work, Bazemore is now working as a full-time artist.

Hundreds came out to Viking Bank's 17th annual summer barbecue and the organizers couldn't have asked for a better day.

The barbecue is a free customer appreciation event that draws 200 to 300 people every year, said Dan Redeker.

Guests enjoyed hotdogs, chili, strawberry shortcake, cotton candy and raffle prizes.

Like falling leaves and high school football, the annual bicycle and pedestrian count is a regular autumn event. Volunteers are needed in late September in cities across the state to create a snapshot of the number of people in Washington who walk or bike to their destinations.

For this fourth annual survey, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Cascade Bicycle Club are enlisting volunteers and organizations like FeetFirst and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to count the numbers of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other facilities on Sept. 27, 28 and 29.

“This annual count of bicyclists and pedestrians helps us more accurately measure demand, gauge the results of our investments and plan for future improvement projects,” said Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond in a statement. “The information volunteers collect helps ensure that we are investing transportation dollars on priority projects, in locations where they are needed most.”