August 2011

The annual Northwest Hope and Healing 5k Run and Walk started promptly at 9:00 am Sunday, Aug. 28 and 1200 runners, walkers and other participants were out in force for the event.

The out-and-back route ran from the Statue of Liberty at Alki Beach Park & the historic Bathhouse, along the waterfront to Anchor Park.

A $100 minimum fundraising goal was set for the participants. Director of Northwest Hope and Healing Shari Sewell estimated the event raised, "more than $50,000."

The winner of the men's race was Fred Whittaker. In second place was Justin Colber. The first female finisher was 10 year old Kelsey Lenzie who said,"It felt really good to win, that's like my first time. Last year was my first 5k and I got a 24 and today it was 20:45."

Update for Aug. 29
Seattle Fire investigators have determined the cause of the fire that destroyed an Arbor Heights was accidental, originating with the "spontaneous combustion" of charcoal or wood in a portable fire pit located in the garage.

Total damages are estimated at $430,000, including damage to two nearby houses.

Firefighters and city public utilities will continue to investigate the reason behind two fire hydrants not functioning properly during the blaze. An initial inspection, according to the Seattle PI through KOMO, found no problem with the hydrants and according to the report there is speculation that either two many hoses were hooked up or there was some kind of blockage in the water line.

Original post on Aug. 27
A fire in a single family residence at 10217 41st Ave. s.w. in Arbor Heights Saturday Aug. 27 around 5:30 pm drew a massive response, cordoned off three blocks around the 2 alarm fire.

Interviewee: Jeff Sinchak


Occupation: Spokesperson for Wounded Warrior Project
Riding style: Recreational


His ride: Trek road bike

In 1984, Jeffery "Doc" Sinchak joined the Navy. He was only 17 years old and in search of adventure.

In his 24-year military career he became a Hospital Corpsman and Navy Diver and served as a member of various Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Naval Special Warfare teams.

He served in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Restore Hope, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout it all, he suffered a number of injuries, including a gunshot wound, an arterial gas embolism, decompression sickness, and a broken foot.

One particular wound led to his early retirement, followed by some dark and difficult years. It also led him to the Wounded Warrior Project and got him to start riding his bicycle.

Dubbed the "invisible wound", Sinchak is one of thousands of Iraq veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Drivers passing by the intersection of 15th Ave. s.w. and s.w Roxbury where Sweetheart Failatusi was murdered Aug. 16 were surprised to see dozens of people carrying signs and using a P.A. system to shout out messages of faith in God in response to the violence.

Victory Outreach Church of Seattle was there with their Gang Girl Ministry. "GANG stands for Gods Annointed Now Generation," said Kabi Gishuru, speaking on behalf of the church, "It's our youth ministry from our entire region. We have a church from Idaho here, from Portland, from Vancouver, Canada, from Surrey Canada, from Yakima, Tri-Cities, Spokane and we've all come out here just to share the love of God. We just had our Passion for Purpose Service which is an annual service that we do where the girls learn what God's purpose is for their life.

Approximately 150 young women took part in the demonstration, crowding all four corners of the intersection.

Jeff Bridges arrived at SeaTac Airport today, here for his appearance tomorrow night at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery with his band The Abiders.

His new, self titled album Jeff Bridges, came out August 16 so this appearance is in support of the new release but his show will also include music from his 2009 film Crazy Heart

He was mobbed by fans seeking autographs and he was very accommodating as he made his way through baggage claim and out to a waiting limousine.

The 1986 comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off starring Matthew Broderick is tonight's West Seattle Outdoor Movie. If you have not seen it, (or your kids haven't it is about a high school wise guy who is determined to have a day off from school, despite what the principal thinks of that. It's rated PG-13

Written and directed by John Hughes of teen movie fame (he wrote and directed Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club) the film also stars Alan Ruck and Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey (who later appeared in Dirty Dancing) Jeffery Jones (as the hapless Principal) and Ben Stein.

The pre-show entertainment this week is provided by Folk Punch. FolkPunch describe themselves as " - just like it says - Folk Music with a punch to it. Contemporary and hard hitting street activist music with a raggedy circus edge. Tender and argumentative. Acoustic guitar and vocals - plus the most outrageous spoon percussion on the planet."

The movie is presented by Dr. Horwitz,DDS, Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub, Bakery Nouveau, Dream Dinners, Nicholson Kovalchik Architects, Dr. Wolff, DMD, ABGD

West Seattle professional photographer Steve Shelton is a runner among his other pursuits and on Thursday, Aug. 25 he was at Lowman Beach and captured this scene.

Temperatures in Seattle rose above the 80 degree mark this week and will continue to be warm throughout the weekend.

Technical notes: Nikon D300. 1/5th of a second, ISO 1000, f/11, hand held. Copyright © www.stevesheltonimages.com

Nhan Nguyen, the Neighborhood Revitalization Program Manager with the White Center Community Development Association has left the agency after a 2 year run. During his time in White Center he brought about a lot of change and mobilized the business community in some significant ways. His reasons for leaving are "Personal and I'd rather not say," but he indicated he has some future opportunities that he plans to investigate and will be staying busy and will be living in Seattle.

He came to the WCCDA after completing a "studio class" in graduate school (he holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning) that was conducted in White Center.

But his background also includes a successful stint as a banker with U.S. Bank, Bank of America, from 2001 to 2006 working in Auburn and the Rainier Valley. He became one of the "Top Ten Bankers" of Washington State, he said but did not find the work fulfilling. That's when he got his graduate degree with a focus on economic development. He spent some time as a teaching assistant in Vietnam then the WCCDA job came up.

While most cities around the state are placing moratoriums on medical marijuana dispensaries, White Center may have one coming for night clubs.

Club Evo’s rise from the ashes may be significantly stalled if the King County Council passes District 8 Councilmember Joe McDermott’s ordinance to place a one year moratorium on any new music or dance clubs opening in the White Center/North Highline area.

The ordinance (found here) is scheduled for a vote on Monday, Aug 29.

McDermott’s communications director Anne Burkland said the ordinance is “inspired by the constituents' concerns” over Club Evo owner Alfredo Lopez’s plans to reopen the 16th Ave S.W. club as Club Reventon. He submitted business license applications for entertainment and dance permits on Aug. 2, and those requests are still pending.

Update for Oct. 24
The King County Council upheld their one-year ban on new dance clubs opening up in White Center on Oct. 24 after hearing from the public, according to the ordinance sponsor Councilmember Joe McDermott.

While the King County Council already unanimously approved the moratorium on Aug. 29, a public hearing was required by law within 60 days.

The moratorium was largely in response to Club Evolucion owner Alfredo Lopez's plans to reopen his club on 16th Ave S.W. as Club Reventon. Ultimately, the county denied Lopez's application to reopen, but the council went ahead with the moratorium anyways.

Background from an earlier post:
Club Evo was well known to White Center residents and neighboring business owners as a boiler of trouble, from gang-related shootings and fights to underage drinking, littering and loitering. The club was shut down in fall of 2010 for operating without proper licenses.

Update for Aug. 29