January 2012

Around 60 people attended the first of two pre-design community meetings last night to hear developer Bill Parks' presentation of the redevelopment of the corner building on 32nd Avenue and N.W. 64th Street in Sunset Hill.

The building, home to Sunset Hill Green Market, an artist studio and holistic practitioner, was bought by Parks in 2007 but Parks waited to develop until the market stabilized.

Now he's revisiting this project and invited the community to two meetings to hear people's concerns and allow the neighbors to give input.

"I know that not everyone is thrilled with the development," Parks acknowledged in his opening statement. "My hope is to receive specific ideas and concerns people may have. It's good for us to understand before we go in and prepare for the Early Design Guidance meeting."

People were relieved to hear that their beloved Sunset Hill Green Market will continue to exist in the new development, albeit with a new owner.

At the first of two pre-design community meetings last night, developer Bill Parks presented his ideas for the redevelopment of the corner building on 32nd Avenue and N.W. 64th Street in Sunset Hill.

Parks bought the building that houses the Sunset Hill Green Market, an artist studio and holistic practitioner in 2007 but waited to develop until the market stabilized.

Now he's revisiting this project and invited the community to two meetings to hear people's concerns and allow neighbors to give input.

The Sunset Hill community's biggest initial concern was what was going to happen to the beloved Sunset Hill Green Market, a natural foods market that has been the neighborhood's grocer since 1997.

Chuck Genuardi, proprietor of the Green Market, announced that he is not going to own the store anymore but that the store will continue.

The National Weather Service has issued a special air stagnation advisory (which led to a beach fire burn ban) and then later in the week, on Saturday they expect snow, with less than a half inch accumulation.

Air Stagnation Advisory
Special Weather Statement

Overnight: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a steady temperature around 39. North northeast wind around 6 mph.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Light north northeast wind.

Thursday Night: Areas of fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind.

Friday: Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Believe it or not, I haven’t had a serious session at a beauty salon for about eighteen years. I am not counting a little trim I had a couple of years ago when I thought it was time to even up the spots that I had cut by myself and decided the effect was less than pleasing. I know I bore everyone by telling the story of how much I save by cutting my own hair and being so frugal in never ever buying a latte because Seattle has the best water in the country which comes right out of the water tap.

Take Two #13: The Time of our Lives

The New Year's resolution is all about getting a fresh start, about examining your life and seeing which parts of it you like and which parts you might want to tweak for the better. I know I'm not the only one examining last year's expenses and seeing if I can't curb those bank account crushing impulse buys. But this is not a column about saving money. There are lots of places on the internet and lots of books written by people better informed about finances than I am for that information. No, I want to discuss time. Or rather, how we use it.

As much as we say time is money so many of us don't actually value our time. That can be as concrete as not charging enough for specialized labor – or forgetting how much time it takes us to earn that dress or that flatscreen – or as abstract as allowing others to walk over us and dictate what we do with our lives. Valuing our time can also be as simple as remembering to enjoy the silence and indulge in the moment.

The new year didn’t bring new harmony to the SeaTac City Council as Tony Anderson was selected Jan. 10 as mayor on a 4-3 vote.

With outspoken lawmakers Gene Fisher and Ralph Shape off the council and Tony Anderson presiding, business was conducted in a quieter and smoother manner.

However, several amendments by council allies Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald were voted down on 4-2 voice votes.

At the start of business, Forschler nominated Terry Anderson for re-election as mayor while Councilman Barry Ladenburg, who defeated Fisher in the acrimonious November election, nominated Tony Anderson.

Forschler, Fernald and Terry Anderson voted for Terry Anderson while Ladenburg, Dave Bush, Mia Gregerson and Tony Anderson voted for Tony Anderson. Bush was elected in November to replace Shape, who didn’t run for re-election.

In another 4-3 vote, Gregerson was selected as deputy mayor after Forschler again nominated Terry Anderson. The votes split along the same lines as the mayor’s selection.

Tony Anderson will serve a two-year term as mayor while the deputy mayor’s term is for one year.

Update for Feb. 8
From Master Sgt. Bob Bohl, Des Moines Police:

On Monday, Feb 6, a jury convicted Daniel A. Threadgill 12/17/87 of Murder 1st Degree for the brutal stabbing death of Jennifer Walstrand. Jennifer was discovered at her residence in the 24000 block of 25 Ave S on August 31, 2010. In June 2011, the Des Moines Police Department Investigations Unit received information from “Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound” relating to the murder of Jennifer Walstrand. The Des Moines Police Department’s Investigations Unit followed up on this information and arrested Daniel Threadgill.

From the King County Prosecutor's Office:

A King County jury convicted defendant Daniel Threadgill of the crime of Murder in the First Degree for the brutal stabbing and beating death of Jennifer Walstrand in August of 2009. Walstrand was stabbed at least 63 times and her head was severely stomped on, leaving brutal injuries. Police uncovered Threadgill as the murderer only after several cooperating witnesses who were present at the time of the attack came forward. The attack was motivated by jealousy and a dispute over prostitution.

The Explorer West Parent Community Network invites community members to a screening of “Finding Kind”, a documentary that brings awareness and healing to the effects of meaness within the “girl world”. The film, originally scheduled for Jan. 17 has been rescheduled for March, 14.

This filmmaker’s journey is to share the personal experiences of girls and women, and help find a common ground of kindness and mutual respect. There will be a facilitated discussion afterwards. "Finding Kind" is recommended for students in and above middle school (11 years old and up).

For more information about the film visit: http://findingkind.indieflix.com/home

Please contact Explorer West Middle School for more information about the screening: www.explorerwest.org or 206-935-0495.

Film Screening: “Finding Kind”
7:00 p.m.
March 14, 2012
Explorer West Middle School Gym, 10015 28th Avenue SW
Ticket price: $5 each purchased from brownpapertickets.com

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) has issued a burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.

For Seattle Parks and Recreation, this means that beach fires at Alki Beach Park, 1702 Alki Ave. SW, and Golden Gardens Park, 8498 Seaview Ave. NW, are prohibited until the PSCAA lifts the ban.

Violation of the ban can result in a $1,000 fine from the PSCAA.

In the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (WSCC) meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, President Dave Montoure took a look at 2011 in terms of accomplishments and bid farewell to long time CEO Patti Mullen who is leaving to take a similar position in Federal Way. He mentioned that the strength of the organization was improving as membership growth was higher than in previous years.

Montoure cited the Chamber's business Advocacy and political action:

Referendum 1: WSCC took an active role in keeping "tunnel vision in-check, providing support to the prevailing Let's Move Forward campaign.
Rapid Ride BRT: WSCC provided support to businesses in Avalon and the Triangle along the new RR route. WSCC adopted a formal policy supporting Rapid Ride.
WS Transportation Priority: WSCC convened the WS Transport Coalition to provide a set of West Seattle transportation priorities to the CTAC-3.
Mandatory Sick Leave: WSCC participated at the stakeholder's table as the City crafted mandatory sick leave legislation. WSCC's iovolvement assured that adopted legislation impacted businesses less significantly than proposed legislation.