August 2011

Seattle Public Schools has received a $1million grant from the New York-based Wallace Foundation to engage the community and develop a multi-year plan for introducing more arts instruction into the classroom.

The Foundation’s Arts Learning Initiative planning grant, which runs from July 2011 through January 2013, will support development of a comprehensive K-12 arts education plan aimed at increasing quality learning opportunities for all students, especially those with the least access to the arts.

The 19-month planning process will further advance a five-year effort between Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle– known as the Arts Education Partnership – to build a system and aligned resources (including budget, arts partnerships, professional development and instructional tools) to put the arts back in education for all students as a means to encourage creative expression and develop job and life skills.

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The Rotary Club of West Seattle held its first "Premium Wine & Tasting Gala" at Salty's Thursday night as a sort of dry run for another such gala in spring. The event featured local wineries from around the area.

Money raised from the event will support local youth scholarships, the club's 38th annual children's shopping spree and other community and international humanitarianism outreach efforts.

Event activities included:

Premium Wine & Chocolate Tasting
Live & Silent Auctions
Raise The Paddle
Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres
Community Fellowship

***Event Entertainment***

Live jazz & blues music performed by Randall O'Dowd

Wineries represented:

DeLille Cellars, Woodenville
O Wine Company, Woodenville
Hedges Cellars, Benton, WA
Patterson Wines & Spirits
Goedhart Family Estates
Two Brothers
Baron’s V
Hestia Cellars
Fat Cork,
JM Cellars
Rasa

Rotarian Heidi Horwitz, an orthodontist who practices in the Alaska Junction, planned this event.

The Haggis Brothers are the featured musical act at the Aug. 5 Concert at The Mount, at Mount St. Vincent. You can bring a blanket or lawn chair, and bring the whole family.
The Haggis Brothers play Celtic, Honky Tonk, Foot-Stompin' Fiddle, Old Timey, Rock Classics and more, and have been performing in the northwest for more than 10 years.

With over 300 songs to choose from, they'll get most everyone up on their feet.

Visit their Facebook Page here.

All are welcome and admission is free!

Dinner is available starting at 5pm and music starts at 6pm.

Food is available for purchase, as well as beer and wine for those over 21.

The concerts take place on The Mount's 2nd Floor Patio. Questions? Call their special events hotline at (206)937-3701 ext. 28652.

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Nearly 300 people showed up on the lawn at Hiawatha Park Thursday evening to enjoy music by the band Massy Ferguson, a Hiawatha Tae Kwon Do class demonstration, and the Hiawatha Hip Hop class also making some fine moves. the events were sponsored by the Admiral Neighborhood Association and the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha.

The traditional visit by the by Blue Angels thrilled thousands today as the precision flying team flew over Lake Washington and parts of Seattle.

I-90 will be closed (under FAA order) should you be heading east on the following days and times:

Friday, Aug. 5:  12:45 p.m. - 2:40 p.m., (Practice)
Saturday, Aug. 6:  12:45 p.m. - 2:40 p.m., (Full show)
Sunday, Aug. 7:  12:45 p.m. - 2:40 p.m., (Full show)

The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform - Friday, August 5 - Sunday, August 7 - 1:30pm-2:30pm

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Their mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations.

David Rosen shares his experience during a media flight aboard the Blue Angels C-130 known as 'Fat Albert'. "I arrived at the Museum of Flight around 11:45 am to get ready. Around 1:00 pm, I was briefed by the crew about what to expect on the ride.

Not only would annexing White Center and the remaining North Highline unincorporated area be financially viable for Burien, it could generate an ongoing operating surplus of $2 million, thanks to a sales tax credit from the state.

The state sales tax credit of up to $5 million per year for ten years Burien would receive for annexing the area would provide "greater flexibility to manage expected future fiscal challenges."
That's the conclusion of a consultant's financial feasibility study released this week. The Berke's Associates study commissioned by the city of Burien is available online at http://www.burienwa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=365.

The findings contrast sharply with a study by the city of Seattle that concludes if Seattle annexed "Area Y" it would result in an ongoing yearly deficit of $1.7 million to $16.7 million.

Burien City Council members will discuss the report with the consultants at their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. A special meeting will also be held a week later on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. to talk about annexation.

We received the following letter from Eric Dickman, Burien Little Theatre's artistic director:

This winter Burien Little Theatre will be producing "The Who's Tommy." "Tommy" will run from Feb. 17 to March 25.

To add to the fun of the show, BLT is looking for a few working pinball machines that can be used on stage and possibly in the concessions room.

BLT will, of course, take good care of these machines and will find a safe way to transport them to and from BLT. It just seems that a pinball wizard is not the same without a pinball game or two.

BLT cannot "rent" these machines, but you will receive 2 pair of comp tickets to see "The Who's Tommy" and BLT's undying gratitude.

Your name will be listed in the program and everyone who comes to see "Tommy" will get a chance to enjoy one of your toys, whether seeing it on stage or possibly playing a game on it in concessions.

A few years ago BLT needed a baby grand piano for a show. Surprising to me, BLT was offered 4. BLT is hopeful that this call out for a few pinball machines is met with as much good will.

Burien will continue to contract with King County for police services.

A consultant's study has concluded it is cheaper to remain with King County than to form a new department.

Burien council members heard the report from Berke Associates on Aug. 1. Berke is the same firm that just completed a financial report for Burien on White Center annexation.

The consultants reported that the current contract with the county costs the city $9.4 million annually. If the city formed its own department, they said the cost would be from $11-13 million each year. That figure does not include one-time start-up costs for buying vehicles and equipment.

The cost savings occur partly because Burien shares police commanders with other jurisdictions, according to the report. Burien is within the county's Precinct 4, which also includes SeaTac and unincorporated North Highline.

The consultants said that if the Burien were to become larger, forming a new police department might become more cost-effective.

City Manager Mike Martin indicated that, based on the report, there are no plans to pursue formation of a new police department at this time.

Not only would annexing White Center and the remaining North Highline unincorporated area be financially viable for Burien, it could generate an ongoing operating surplus of $2 million, thanks to a sales tax credit from the state.

The state sales tax credit of up to $5 million per year for ten years Burien would receive for annexing the area would provide “greater flexibility to manage expected future fiscal challenges.”

That’s the conclusion of a consultant’s financial feasibility study released this week. The Berke’s Associates study commissioned by the city of Burien is available online at http://www.burienwa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=365.

The findings contrast sharply with a study by the city of Seattle that concludes if Seattle annexed “Area Y” it would result in an ongoing yearly deficit of $1.7 million to $16.7 million.

Burien City Council members will discuss the report with the consultants at their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. A special meeting will also be held a week later on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. to talk about annexation.

The bicyclist who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run vehicle last Thursday was esteemed photographer Michael Wang who worked with the local nonprofit group, PATH.

Wang biked to work from Shoreline to South Lake Union everyday and was killed last Thursday when he was struck by a car on Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street.

Michael Wang was previously featured in the Ballard News-Tribune for his photo exhibit documenting life in Bolivia.

Wang's friends and family have posted flyers throughout Ballard asking people to be on the look-out for the brown, American-made SUV that struck and killed Wang. The SUV has tinted windows and a chrome roof rack.

Any information regarding the hit-and-run or the vehicle should be reported to the Seattle Police Department.