August 2011

Tully's Coffee on the corner of 22nd Avenue N.W. and N.W Market Street is closing.

After 15 years, the beloved coffee shop is closing on September 18.

"It's a bummer for us but that's just how it goes in business sometimes," said Barista Amanda.

Amanda said it isn't a profit issue but rather, lease implications.

The baristas have received transfers to other Tully's locations in Wallingford and the U-District.

"I might be looking for a better job. It just won't be the same working with new people," a barista told us.

At this time it's unknown whether a new Tully's will open elsewhere in Ballard.

By Charles Ganong

(Publisher's Note: I asked son-in-law Charley Ganong to give me a list of what he likes about White Center. Charley was captain of the Evergreen High football team and a graduate of Harvard. He has not addressed the prolific empty stores issue. He lives in Gregory Heights. -Jerry Robinson)

1. The people are more friendly, "genuine" and unpretentious here than in other "trendier" places around town.

2. $200,000 houses with million-dollar views. Affordable housing.

3. Fun for all ages can be found at White Center Park: "Log cabin" Field House, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, handball court, playground, etc.

4. A highly diverse and multicultural community, which encourages interracial understanding, tolerance and cooperation.

5. Evergreen High School--a "Model United Nations." Students of every conceivable racial and ethnic background and ancestry.

6. The new track at Evergreen. Combined with the cross-country course, now a decent track and field complex.

7. The reopening of the Evergreen Pool (it was a shame to have closed it so long for lack of funds).

8. The number and variety of ethnic restaurants.

America SCORES hosted an intimate meet and greet event with Seattle Sounders' players Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani, Coach Stigi Schmid and Manager Adrian Hanauer at Ballard's Market Arms on Thursday, August 25.

"This is good visibility for us," said Caroline Kelley, Executive Director of America SCORES.
"The fans are here for the Sounders but it's a good opportunity to let them know about what we do."

America SCORES is an organization that runs after-school soccer programs for low-income kids in elementary schools, predominantly in Seattle's Central District and White Center neighborhoods.

"Ninety-five percent of our kids come from non-white immigrants that are not only low-income but also a minority. None of these kids will be able to afford to play Select Soccer. We give them an opportunity to have a jersey and to belong to a team," said Caroline kelley, Executive Director of America SCORES.

In addition to playing soccer, America SOCCERS kids get together as a team once a week to write poetry, participate in service-learning and volunteering programs, and build relationships with other America SCORES teammates and coaches that continues when the season is over.

While his teammates were meeting fans at Market Arms Pub, Sounders goalie Kasey Keller was signing autographs at the Sutter Home & Hearth's grand opening and community barbecue.

At the beginning of this month, Sutter Home & Hearth announced that after 32 years in their historic Ballard location, it would be expanding to a larger facility on Leary Way.

The Sounders marching band, Sound Wave, set the mood with upbeat performances as Sutter Home & Hearth celebrating the opening of their new location on 920 NW Leary Way, which was also a fundraiser for the Ballard Food Bank.

"We brought out Keller because its his last year and he's just such a popular Seattle athlete," said owner Michael Duval. "Initially I wanted a march from our old location [on Ballard Avenue] to our new location. This is a variation of that."

Duval said he was very pleased with the turnout of about 100 people. "People are having a good time and I think we did well for the Ballard Food Bank too," he said, pointing to large bins filled with food ad non-food items.

Friday, Aug. 26 will see the Selam Band, a world music band appear at Providence Mount St. Vincent for the final Friday Night Concert.

The show will run from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm but dinner will start at 5:00 pm.

The concert is free and open to the community. Held on The Mount’s south patio, the performers will begin at 6 pm and conclude at 7:30 pm. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 pm, but there will be plenty of free popcorn and snow cones.

For the young at heart, a face painter will be there along with a clown who will make balloon animals. The last concert will also feature another treat for children—the popular bouncy house.

Feel free to bring your own chairs or blankets. Come early and get a good spot. For more information, call 206/938-6242.

Locöl Barley and Vine at 7902 35th s.w.opened in January of 2011 and in a shaky economy opening any new business is a challenge. But owners Kyle Duce and Shane Whitall report that almost from the opening night business has been steady and growing.

The bar/restaurant is based on the themes of local suppliers, local customers and local history and to express their gratitude for the welcome they've received they are throwing a party to say "Thank You" for all the support on Aug. 31.

The business used a unique method to get financial help for their launch and get people involved in the process. A puzzle using a classic, historic West Seattle photo was put together with donations, and everyone that donated got a piece to the puzzle and their name on a framed placard.

10% of money raised will be presented to the West Seattle Helpline at the event.

They will feature food and drink specials from 6pm to close. The party will run from 6 to 9pm

You can find them on Facebook here.

A line of Baseball fans wrapped around the Ballard Fred Meyer building this afternoon as fans waited to get their merchandise signed by Mariners pitcher, Felix Hernandez.

The Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams event drew hundreds of fans to Ballard, carrying large amounts of baseballs, magazines, jerseys and Hernandez bobble heads.

Hernandez wasn't scheduled to appear until 1:45 p.m. but fans started lining up as early as 11:30 a.m.

"We lined up around noon," said Ballardite Michael Johnson who brought his wife and three boys, ages 4, 10, and 12, to get a Hernandez autographed baseball.

"The boys' faces glowed as I told them Felix would be in Ballard," said Johnson.

"I like him and I really enjoy watching him play," said 12-year-old Sid.

"He's a great pitcher," added 10-year-old Travis.

The Johnson family got five balls autographed and posed for a picture with the baseball star.

"It was so worth the wait," Travis said.

Dear Editor,
I found Charles Gangong's article on white center to be totally off the wall.

My first thought was what is this guy smoking? What happened to Reality?

There have been 2 murders in the last month. White Center is already a very high crime area yet violent crime has increased 25% in the last 6 months..

If this fellow likes White Center so much then why does he live in Gregory Heights?

White Center is full of gangs and the gang violence is getting worse not better, it is NOT a safe place to be out in at night especially on the weekend.

It is the POOREST if not one of the poorest areas in the puget sound.

Annexing it will REDUCE PROPERTY VALUES IN BURIEN!

Burien will also eventually have to RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR THE INCREASED COSTS OF POLICING and maintenancing this area..

The LAST thing BURIEN needs especially in these times is to Annex White Center!

Mr Gangong can take a trip down memory lane ON HIS OWN DIME!

Best Regards,

John Poitras
Burien

Charles Ganong has written 2 articles about what he likes about White Center as grounds for why it should be annexed to Burien. He has provided no sound financial evidence or support for why annexing this area is a wise or prudent action for the City of Burien to follow. His reasons for liking White Center are the same kind of reasons that could be given for why people like; Detroit, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio, Oakland, Calif.

However, none of the above mentioned cities would be financially wise to annex. In terms of the stats on poverty and unemployment, Area Y/White Center would be classified as one of the 10 poorest cities in the USA. All you have to do is Google White Center and it appears as one of the poorest areas or the poorest area in all of King County.

When the new liquor store at 4100 s.w. Alaska Street opens on Aug. 31 the public will see a very different approach to how the state is approaching liquor sales. The size, selection, decor, and even the signage have all undergone a significant upgrade.

Features of the premier store
· Floor space. The shopping area (lobby) is approximately 45 percent larger than an average state store.
· Expanded and unique product selection. The store offers nearly 2,000 spirits products; double the amount of an average state store.
· Upscale environment. The store has modern merchandising including unique signage, fixtures, and lighting.
· Spirits Tasting. The premier store is one of 30 liquor stores to participate in the statewide spirits tasting pilot program. The store has a new spirit tasting bar.
· Digital Signage. Digital signage will provide product information, and public safety and other informational messages.
· Washington Products. New product sections will highlight Washington State craft spirits, beer, and wine.