January 2012

Update for Feb. 2
The project signage for Downtown Emergency Service Center's supportive housing project in Delridge is up (and in the right place), signifying the beginning of another comment period that runs until Feb. 15.

As mentioned in the earlier post, during the 14-day comment period (which can be extended by citizen request), public comments should go to DPD project director Michael Dorcy at michael.dorcy@seattle.gov, (206) 615-1393, or 700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, Wa, 98124-4019. DPD recommends email as the best form of contact.

Seattle's Department of Planning and Development has also posted the date for the next Design Review Meeting, set for March 22.

Original post on Jan. 26
Sign for DESC project in Delridge goes up in the wrong spot, delaying comment period

For many people the nation of Nepal is a mountainous mystery. Reports from climbers of the world's highest peaks, and news of conflicts with the government only add to the level of uncertainty about a place that was possibly the inspiration for the mythical Shangri-La.

But Nepal, while it has a long history is a vibrant and varied nation of more than 26 million with a climate ranging from hot and humid in the south to K2, Mt. Everest and others in the Himalayan range that reach to the heavens.

It's also a place that has a very active Rotary Club, so active they were able to set up their own district in the international organization and take part in the Rotary Club Foundation Group Study Exchange Program.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP BY STEVE FULLER

Press release:
The King County Office of Emergency Management is collecting information from County residents and businesses on damage and losses suffered during the January 16-23, 2012 snow and ice storm. If your King County home or business sustained damage as a result of the storm, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance as you begin to clean up. Follow these important steps for reporting damages to personal property and registering for financial assistance:

Step 1: Assess and document the damage
Identify and make a list of all the damages.
Take pictures of the damages.
Estimate how much you think it will cost for repairs or to replace your belongings.

Step 2: Call your insurance company
Locate your insurance policy documents (if available) and call your insurance company.
Report damages. Your insurance carrier will advise you on coverage and additional steps to be taken.

Step 3: Call the King County Damage Reporting Hotline or file your report online
Complete an online damage report form -OR- call the King County Damage Reporting Hotline: 1-800-523-5044.

Your help is being sought in finding a missing Alzheimer's patient on Vashon Island. The Alzheimer's Association shared this news release:

Please help us find Jack Randles.

Jack is 85 years old and has Alzheimer’s. He lives on Vashon Island with his son and was last seen yesterday at 4:30 PM near downtown Vashon Island.

Jack is 6’ 1”, 150 pounds, with white hair and mustache. A scanned picture is attached and below.

Please call 911 if you have any information.

King County Sheriff’s Department has search and rescue teams on the ground and in the air. The Department is also working to determine if Mr. Randles might have gotten on the ferry.

Picture and details came from Sergeant Cindi West, Public Information Officer, King County Sheriff’s Department. Cindi.West@kingcounty.gov Desk-206-296-7528
Cell-206-255-0778

The Seattle School Board approved the short-term capacity management plan on Jan. 25 by a 7-0 vote. The plan addresses the significant enrollment growth (and projected growth) the schools have seen recently.

The plan was developed following input from the Facilities and Capital Management Advisory Committee (FACMAC). Input was considered from about 300 attendees at six community meetings held between September and December 2010, and also included 550 written comments.

Development of the short-term capacity management plan was coordinated with work on the proposed 2012-13 New Student Assignment Transition Plan, which supports the capacity management work.

The plan includes:

· Reopening Boren School in West Seattle as an interim site for the 2012-13 school year and having it serve as a K-5 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) option school for Denny International Middle School and Madison Middle School service areas.

On February 1, South Seattle Community College students will join hundreds of fellow students from around the state at the 2012 Community College Student Legislative Rally in Olympia.

Their purpose is to share their opinions with local legislators and the governor on topics including tuition, textbooks, and cuts to higher education funding. The program from 12 – 1 pm in the Rotunda will feature guest speakers including Seattle Community Colleges Board of Trustees member Tom Malone.

Last year, 18 community colleges were represented, and 27 South students were among the nearly 500 who attended.

South’s participation is being coordinated by the United Student Association For more information, contact Dante Obcena, USA president, at dobcena260@southseattle.edu or Monica Lundberg, Office of Student Life program manager, (206) 934- 6750, monica.lundberg@seattlecolleges.edu

Press release from BJ Myers, White Center storefront deputy

The Sheriff’s Office is proud to be a part of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s (NHUAC) upcoming forum on Public Safety, February 9th at 7:00pm, North Highline Fire Station (1243 SW 112 St). As the new White Center Storefront Deputy, I am hoping this event will be an opportunity for me to hear from the residents of the neighborhood and to meet those of you I haven’t already. The event will include:

Guest Speaker: Detective Joe Gagliardi from the King County Sheriff’s Office and Burien Police Department Gang Unit will discuss what residents of White Center should know about gangs. Det. Gagliardi is one of the region’s foremost experts on criminal street gangs and has spoken in schools, courts, and community centers throughout King County. After serving with the Fairfield (CA) Police Dept., Det. Gagliardi has been working in White Center and Burien for years, making him uniquely knowledgeable about local gang issues.

By Kyle Howard

Holy Names visited Chief Sealth Wednesday Jan. 25th for a girls Basketball matchup. Chief Sealth has been struggling lately, losing four of their last five games while Holy Names has been hot all season with only one loss.

Holy Names ability to rebound was a huge key to their 72-40 victory over Chief Sealth. It seemed every time a shot was missed they had somebody down low to rebound, leading to plenty of second chance opportunities to score. The Cougar’s high pressure defense was also a big factor as they didn’t let up on the full court press causing Chief Sealth to turn the ball over 25 times.

The Ballard girls basketball teams hosted the Inglemoor Vikings last night for a tough game.

The Lady Vikings outscored the Beavers 14 to 7 in the first quarter and continued to build on their lead throughout the game. At halftime the Beavers were trailing 13 to 30.

The second half didn't go much better for the Beavers as Inglemoor's defense allowed the Beavers to score only 15 points while netting 30 points themselves.

The final score was 60 to 28 for the Inglemoor Vikings.

Seattle Seafair Pirate fans may recall the edgier era of those saber-rattling, masked men. Robb Zerr, was the pirate, "Hurricane", from 1982-1990. He just wrote a book, "Memoirs of a Buccaneer: 30 Years Before the Mast", a 432-page self-published paperback, and Kindle. He recounts bouts of hooliganism, Caribbean travels, drinking, romancing the "wenches", and, well, more drinking.

He signed his book (now available on Amazon and at www.memoirsofabuccaneer.com) at the Shipwreck Tavern this past week and pirate "colleagues" from all over Seattle appeared, all in costume for the festive reunion.

Zerr, the Renton-born professional writer lived in Seattle for 15 years and is now on Hutchison Island in Florida, a bit closer to the Caribbean Islands like a "good" pirate. He does corporate writing and other work with his company, Communicreations. He also writes a daily blog of musings called RobZerrvations.com.