March 2012

press release
As part of Cedar Grove’s commitment to composting Seattle’s yard waste for almost 20 years, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Cedar Grove have partnered to thank City of Seattle residents for diverting over 125,000 tons of food and yard waste from landfills by composting in 2011.

Today, Cedar Grove and SPU are kicking off the Big Dig. From March 26 – April 11, participants will be tasked to find Corey the Compostable Apple Core posted at 30 different retail and community sites in Seattle (some of which are in your neighborhood!).

Clues to Corey’s location will be posted daily on Cedar Grove’s website, www.cedar-grove.com. Every participant that finds one or more Coreys will win a coupon redeemable for a free bag of Cedar Grove Compost. Additionally, all participants will be entered into a daily drawing to win a pass to participate in The Big Dig finals on Saturday, April 14 at Seattle Tilth’s Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands. Finalists will dig through 30 yards of compost to find $6,000 in hidden treasures, including a $3,000 yard makeover!

In your neighborhood there are 3 Coreys hidden. Here are their corresponding clues:

Thirty-five year-old Heather has been missing since March 20th, and she was last known to be in the Ballard area, according to brother Ian Schmitz.

She's 5'11'' tall, has blond hair, and wears glasses. Schmitz says she's seriously depressed and needs help.

If you have seen her please contact Schmitz at ian.schmitz@usmc.mil

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will remove 14 bollards this week along the Burke Gilman Trail between NW 43rd Street and NW 36th Street. They plan to perform this work on Wednesday and Thursday, March 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Small sections of the trail will be closed at intersections while the crews remove the bollards and replace them with asphalt. The trail will remain open with only small detours around the work area to minimize impacts on trail users. There will be signed detours in place and flaggers on the trail if they are needed.

The bollards are being removed to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians along the trail. This work is funded by the Bridging the Gap transportation initiative approved by Seattle voters.

By Christy Wolyniak, Contributor

Growing up as a Club kid, Calvin Lyons unknowingly prepared himself to one day become the president and CEO that would champion youth in need. The Boys and Girls Club of King County hired Lyons last week. Throughout his experience in both the business and nonprofit world, Lyons realized his potential and ultimately, his life passion.

“We selected Calvin because he is a champion for kids and teens in need, and he embraces a servant leadership approach.  He has extensive non-profit experience, including the role of Executive Director of Rainier Scholars.  And he is a former Boys Club kid (before we served girls) from Gary, Indiana,” said BGCKC APR Board Chair, Erika Schmidt.

As a Boys Club member, Lyons remembers how much fun he had stacking bowling pins by hand and what it was like to have adults share in his life when he was a child.

By Patrick Robinson and David Rosen

Update as of 8:35am

The man who got pulled from the water unfortunately did not survive.

A man said to be in his 20's, in the water off the south beach of Lincoln Park for over an hour, was rescued by Seattle Fire Department people at around 10:50pm. He was taken to Harborview in critical condition after resuscitation efforts were employed once he was out of the water. He died this morning.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

According to SFD media relations officer Kyle Moore:

"Someone from the Ferry dock (at Fauntleroy) heard someone yelling out on the water. What had happened is that there were three gentlemen out here, they were going out to a sailboat. One guy took some supplies out in a small inflatable raft and and as he got about three quarters of the way out there, he somehow ended up in the water. One of the friends ran to call 911, while the other friend jumped in an inflatable raft and tried to go out and find him but he went under. It appears from the rubber raft that possibly the floor of the raft collapsed and he went down from there."

Press release:
The Des Moines Area Food Bank received $5,000 and one of the 2012 Agency Excellence Awards for the organization’s exemplary approaches to ending hunger through its mobile summer meals program for children in low-income households.
Food Lifeline presented the food bank with the Excellence in Collaboration award and $5,000 to continue expanding its mission, and to increase and better its capabilities to serve the hungry people in the Des Moines community.
The White Center Food Bank also received Honorable Mention in the Excellence in Client Service category.

While the Des Moines Area Food Bank has long prioritized the issue of child hunger, they recently discovered that the rate of food insecurity for children in their part of the county is nearly twice the rate found in Seattle or other King County communities. Through a series of innovative local collaborations the Des Moines Area Food Bank implemented a mobile summer meals program that resulted in over 14,000 nutritious summer lunches and snacks for children in the heart of low-income neighborhoods.

A new “beachy” look will be coming to the Des Moines Marina District and downtown buildings.

The City Council voted 5-2 on March 22 to set guidelines for building design in the downtown and marina areas of the city. The style the council chose to model is commonly known as “Cape Cod” style.

“It’s a way to help people understand what our community is about,” Denis Lathrop, planning manager said.

The “Cape Cod” style was chosen after feedback from the community.

“Having guidelines makes sense … this discussion has been in committee for the last couple of years,” Mayor Dave Kaplan said.

In April and May of last year a random, a survey was taken in Des Moines. The sense of the survey was that Des Moines residents like a historical feel and use of wood, and like public gathering places, such as outdoor cafes and seating.

The “Cape Cod” styles were of particular interest to most people who took part in the survey. Some comments from the public in regard to the “Cape Cod” photos during the survey were: “It looks Des Moinesy,” “the most welcoming,” and, “it’s beachy.”

On Friday, March 23rd, radio station STAR 101.5 surprised Des Moines Elementary teacher, Paula Escher, by presenting her with the STAR 101.5’s Teacher of the Week award.

In a local contest conducted by the radio station, Escher, a 2nd grade teacher, was nominated by her student, Aidan. STAR 101.5’s afternoon show host, Corine McKenzie, made a surprise visit to Escher’s classroom.

Each student received a goody bag full of prizes from McDonald’s, Sky Nursery, KOMO 4, KOMO Communities and STAR 101.5.

Escher received a personalized plaque from Trophies2go.com, a $100 check, a $50 Sky Nursery gift card and a prize pack from City University of Seattle.

The teacher also gets to choose between a makeover or a Kindle courtesy of Blanc N’ Schwartz Salon in Kent.

Burien robbery led to the demise of teen burglary ring
A group of five teenagers suspected in a spree of pattern robberies at businesses around Seattle are off the streets and could soon be facing charges. Since December, the group of suspects — which includes a 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds, an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old — have robbed at least seven corner stores and pawn shops in north and south Seattle while masked and armed. Several were caught at the scene of a robbery and hostage situation at a Burien pawn shop. Police arrested the others as a result of the Burien investigation.
Seattle Police Department Robbery detectives interviewed the men in jail, where they each admitted to robbing several businesses. Detectives arrested a fourth member of the group in south Seattle on March 14, and a fifth suspect turned himself in to police on March 19.

Sex offender accused of sending inappropriate messages to teen boy

With temperatures warming and blue sky sightings increasing many barbeques are making it out of the garage, officially reporting for duty as the all-American grilling season begins.

Before you fire up the propane or dowse your coals with lighter fluid, here are some good safety reminders from the Seattle Fire Department to keep your home and family safe as the shrimps hit the barbie.

From the Seattle Fire Department Fire Line:

Every year, the Seattle Fire Department responds to fires caused by outdoor grilling. With the arrival of Spring and warming temperatures, the potential for an increase in grilling fires is much higher.

Here are some safety precautions to prevent grilling-related fires:

1)For gas grills, make certain the hose connection is tight and check the hoses for leaks. Turn the grill and fuel cylinder off immediately after grilling.