November 2011

Even a persistent rain couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of Unity Village of White Center, a new construction project with 30 units of affordable apartments near the White Center business district.

Those attending, close to 80 or more, huddled under tents to hear Executive Director of the White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA) Aileen Balahadia introduce the guest speakers.

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Those speaking included Chris Persons, Executive Director of Capitol Hill Housing (CHH), Willard Brown, Board VP of the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association (DNDA), King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Member Joe McDermott, Jasmine Brown Site Manager, Jamesina Jamison, resident, and Kate Gill de la Garza, Unity Village Lead Developer.

Balahadia said, " I love the idea that a place like Unity Village could have the power to catalyze an entire neighborhood as well as impact the 30 families that are here."

Chris Persons said, "Everybody deserves beautiful, decent housing that's affordable and that's what this project is about."

By Jeff and Eileen Bidwell

As we were setting up our Plant Answer Clinic around 9:00 a.m. one Sunday morning in late summer, we spotted a group of people standing a few feet from us, watching in amazement at the scene unfolding before their eyes.

Actually, the transformation of Ballard Avenue had begun several hours earlier. The revelers from the hot nightclubs had disappeared to wherever night folk disappear to, leaving the street in silence. As the sun rose on the horizon, silhouettes began stirring on the street, pulling tables, signs, equipment, crates and boxes from the back of work trucks. By mid-morning, the transformation of Ballard Ave. was nearly complete. Judy and Loretta, the Market managers, had arrived at daybreak. Like stage directors, they directed the vendors to their assigned spaces. When the bell at Bergen Place rang promptly at 10:00 a.m., the stage was set and the day-long play was set in motion.

The same scene takes place every Sunday, rain or shine, in spring, summer, fall and winter. For more than ten years, the Ballard Farmers’ Market has been a bustling, year-round hub of activity.

While most of us would choose to sit back and relax when shown to a lawn chair, Andrew Potter once preferred to grab two or more and toss them in the air, or just about anything else he could get his hands on. During the juggler's 17-year stint doing stunts, he performed first in San Francisco, then all across America and on to Japan, then Italy, where, in Milan, he won an award with fellow busker, Wheeler Cole. And though they did not tell fortunes, they had the foresight to videotape numerous performances as the "High Street Circus", the name of their act.

Andrew Potter, now a musician, digital storyteller and video producer brings his multimedia performance piece, "The Road to High Street", to Kenyon Hall Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 pm.

He mixes stories of his old street performing days with the High Street Circus with images, archival photos and tightly edited video clips. He tells these stories to the audience with a mixture of banter, comedy, and guitar playing.

Press release
Light the Lights. Hang the Garlands.

Under the artistic direction of Paula Hawkins, KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds will join forces to present “A Glad Noel,” on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St.

Burien’s newest chorus, SilverSounds Northwest, makes a special guest appearance in the program, singing “Down, Down the Chimney Tonight,” and joining the young singers for a special song.

The program will be filled with traditional songs of the season as well as modern Christmas favorites, and the second half of the program will feature holiday songs from cultures around the world, including “Ala Nanita,” “African Noel” and “Calypso Lullaby.”

Bright costuming and creative choreography will highlight the show and add joy, fun and the Spirit of Christmas for audiences of all ages.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors. Youth 17 & under are admitted free with a paid adult ticket. Contact www.nwassociatedarts.org or 206-246-6040 to order tickets.

Update for Nov. 22
Everything you needed to cook and serve an extravagant Thanksgiving feast—especially if you have a very large family—was available for auction at Sal’s Deli on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

With Jim Hughes, long-time owner of the downtown Burien institution, looking on, auctioneers from the James G. Murphy Co. sold off everything at the deli, located at 15212 6th Ave. S.W.

Other restaurant owners and a few Sal’s patrons previewed items beginning at the breakfast time of 8 a.m. The auction began at 10 a.m. and the place was looking pretty bare by lunchtime.

A decorative fountain went for $550.

Citing health concerns and the ongoing bad economy, Hughes announced his retirement in September.

Original post
With long-time Sal’s Deli owner Jim Hughes set to retire on Dec. 1, customers will get an opportunity to own a little memento of his downtown Burien institution.

Everything will be sold off Tuesday, Nov. 22 at an auction conducted by the James G. Murphy Co. at the deli, 15212 6th Ave. S.W.

Potential bidders may preview items beginning at 8 a.m. with the auction starting at 10 a.m.

Alki resident and social media marketer Mike Barbre suggests participating in five outdoor activities in West Seattle to counterbalance the temptation many have of snuggling indoors. Find them on his blog, "LIFE UNDER THE NEEDLE".

Many of our readers are familiar with Barbre's support for Tracy Dart's "Team Tracy", seen here.

Press release:

Apple Cup fans can bypass traffic and take Sound Transit’s special event day Sounder trains to the 4:30 p.m. game between the University of Washington Huskies and Washington State University Cougars on Saturday, Nov. 26. Special Sounder commuter rail trains will operate from Tacoma and Everett to Seattle, and Link light rail will run two-car trains to accommodate game-day crowds.

Inbound schedule for special Saturday Sounder service

Tacoma to Seattle

Tacoma 1:35 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Puyallup 1:47 p.m. - 2:27 p.m.
Sumner - 2:07 p.m. 2:32 p.m.
Auburn - 2:15 p.m. 2:40 p.m.
Kent - 2:22 p.m. 2:47 p.m.
Tukwila - 2:29 p.m. 2:54 p.m.
Seattle 2:29 p.m. 2:52 p.m. 3:17 p.m.

Everett to Seattle

Everett 1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Mukilteo 1:56 p.m. 2:11 p.m.
Edmonds 2:11 p.m. 2:26 p.m.
Seattle 2:44 p.m. 2:59 p.m.

Outbound Service

Southline trains depart King Street Station 10, 20 and 45 minutes after the game; northline trains depart 15 and 35 minutes after the game.

Nostalgic about the “good old days” of school and youth sports in the Highline area?

Then the Highline Historical Society has a free program for you on Sunday, Nov. 20 at SeaTac City Hall, 4800 S. 188th St.

From 2-4 p.m., a special panel will reminisce about Highline sports.

Panelists include retired Tyee baseball coach Walt Edmiston, former Tyee girls swimming coach Kaija Lietuvietis, church-league basketball writer Phyllis Mitchell and Highline Little League coach Gordon Shaw.
Former Highline School District Superintendent Kent Matheson will moderate.

While the GAME Collective medical marijuana lounge in White Center was the visible part of yesterday’s DEA raid at the local level, the U.S. Attorney search warrant affidavit unsealed reveals a sweeping raid of three total GAME collectives, the owner’s home and the vehicles of GAME employees and co-owners.

The warrant names five individuals suspected of allegedly “using a purported medical marijuana dispensary to commit the crimes of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Distribution of Marijuana, and Unlawful Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana” in violation of federal law.

Put into broader context, the warrant states, “Any state law that purports to make the distribution of marijuana legal, for any purpose, does not provide a defense to federal law. However, our investigation is not currently targeting medical marijuana providers that comply with the letter and the spirit of existing state law.”

According to court documents, DEA special agents initiated their investigation of GAME on July 27, 2011 – utilizing undercover officers, a confidential informant (CI) and surveillance to make controlled purchases of marijuana.

Phase II of the construction of Ship Canal Trail is wrapping up with a grand opening planned for Saturday, November 19, at 11 a.m. 

This final phase of the Ship Canal Trail completes the connection from the Elliott Bay Trail and the Interbay and Magnolia neighborhoods to bicycle routes at the Fremont Bridge, including the Interurban route on Fremont Avenue North, the Burke-Gilman Trail, and the Dexter Avenue route.

This project is the long-awaited extension of the Ship Canal Trail, which eliminates a critical gap in Seattle's Urban Trails System. Phase II of the project covers about 3/4 of a mile along the south side of the Ship Canal, beginning at 6th Ave W (where Phase 1 ends) and terminating near Fisherman's Terminal where the trail will join the Emerson Street bike path.

The Ship Canal Trail makes it possible to bicycle from Redmond to downtown Seattle almost entirely on dedicated bicycle facilities.

"Completion of this trail makes bike riding in the south canal area more comfortable for all levels of bicyclists and offers increased safety where cyclists and heavy industrial traffic have long shared traveling space," according to SDOT.