April 2012

Tom Salle will tell you: It takes a community to build a butcher shop.

“It’s amazing,” Salle said while taking short break from the long days of building his shop on 16th Ave S.W., just north of Walgreens on the Seattle side of Roxbury. “I’ve got customers, friends, everybody coming and pitching in to help me here. It is a community effort, I mean, these people want me to get going.”

Working with him on April 17 were a past customer turned good friend and a “brother” from his motorcycle club … just chipping in to get their friend back to doing what he loves most: cutting meat and interacting with customers – a 100 year tradition in his family. His friends were paid for their labor at lunch with homemade sausages and smoked turkey slow cooking in the heart of the activity. It may be the best smelling construction site on record.

Salle is gutting and rebuilding one half of the old Benton Realty building at 9430 16th Ave S.W.and turning it into “Meat the Live Butcher,” a small scale butcher shop focused on quality meats, cheeses and legendary customer service.

On Wednesday, April 18th, a coalition led by the Sierra Club and PowerPastCoal.org presented their 20th Coal Hard Truth Forum at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Ballard.

These forums are in response to six different proposals throughout the Northwest by Peabody Energy to transport coal mined in Wyoming and Montana by train to terminals along the coast for shipping to Asia. Peabody Energy is the largest, private-sector coal company in the world.

According to information provided by Sierra Club, 48 million tons of coal would be shipped from Montana through Seattle and on to Cherry Point in Bellingham. The open loads would be transported by 4 or 5 diesel engine freight trains that could exceed a mile in length, at a frequency of nine per day (with the empty diesel trains also returning via the same route). Of the numerous Peabody Energy proposals, this one concerns Seattle and Ballard the most.

Update for June 27
The West Seattle Herald first reported in April (see below) that Tom Salle of Bernie and Boys will open his own butcher shop near the Seattle/White Center line.

Salle was hoping to be open in time for July 4 festivities, but it looks like we'll all have to wait just a bit longer.

Here is his update from Meat the Live Butcher's Facebook page:

Hi everyone I wanted to open by july 1 but won't make that date due to the permits . Maybe later in the month. Thanks for all your support, It keeps me going. New phone number 206 762 MEAT Hope to see you all soon and we can get back to taking care of all your meat needs.

In a followup conversation, Salle said he is moving through the permitting process with the city and getting the final steps together with construction, including the all-important cooler.

The Seattle School Board on Thursday announced three finalists for Superintendent: José L. Banda, Steven W. Enoch and Sandra L. Husk. Each candidate will be in Seattle to meet with the school board, the 25 member Community Focus Group, tour several Seattle schools and will meet separately with the news media next week.

The finalists were selected as part of a national search to find the next leader for Seattle Public Schools. The hiring committee selected the three finalists using desired characteristics and traits defined by the community, including: a visionary, inspirational leader; an instructional leader who has a proven track record; a knowledgeable manager and an effective communicator.

In a press release Seattle Public Schools said:

“We are moving forward these strong candidates for the next phase of interviews,” said School Board President Michael DeBell. “We are looking forward to getting to know the candidates better, and finding a leader who is the best fit for our school district.”

On Saturday, April 21st, in Ballard and around the world, independent record stores opened their doors and vinyl collections to celebrate the sixth annual Record Store Day.

Founded in 2007 by Brian Poehner, Carrie Colliton, Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Amy Dorfman, and Don Cleave, Record Store Day is a celebration of the unique culture surrounding independent record stores and musical artistry.

According to RecordStoreDay.com, 23 record stores and affiliates in Seattle celebrated Record Store Day this year.

“It’s a day that makes people aware that independent record stores are still here and viable,” said Jason Hughes, owner of Sonic Boom Records located on Market Street in Ballard.

Sonic boom records has had a busy month building up to the Record Store Day celebrations by hosting performances earlier this month by the Lumineers and We Are Augustines.

On the day itself, Sonic Boom Records hosted an in-house performance by Star Anna as well as a side walk sale and a listening hour featuring Jack Whites new album, “Wonder Bus”.

Hughes, who has owned the store for 15 years said Record Store Day is the busiest day for sales besides Christmas.

This is an excerpt from the research and writing done by writer Tim Finch who is currently gathering together material for a book on northwest hardhat divers to be hopefully published with the "Visions of America" series by Arcadia Publishing.

by Tim Finch

In a heavy fog on Elliott Bay on a Wednesday afternoon, December 14th, 1910, two steamships collided. The SS Kitsap was hit on her port bow by the SS Indianapolis. The Kitsap had just left Pier 4 (in the vicinity of what is now Pier 55) and was on her way to Poulsbo when the collision took place about 1000 feet beyond the dock. The accident occurred 4 or 5 minutes after having left the pier at 4:35 pm. The Indianapolis was just completing her Tacoma to Seattle run, heading for the Colman Dock when she collided with the Kitsap.

What would make our neighborhood a great place to live in 2020?

The Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council (GSNC) is embarking on a neighborhood "Vision 2020" planning process, and wants your input and involvement.

After some time without a neighborhood gathering they are urging people to attend their next meeting and share their ideas:
• What do you like about our neighborhood now?
• What short- and long-term changes would you like to see?*

Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Time: 6:30-7 p.m. Social Time (refreshments will be served)
7-8:30 p.m. Meeting (with lots of time for input and perhaps a speaker or two)
Where: Howell Auditorium, West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Avenue SW

Some areas to think about:

• Social events
• Parks
• Communication
• Traffic improvements
• Beautification projects
• Education and support
• Crime prevention
• Emergency preparedness
• Gardening
• Policy
• Shared interests and resources
• Volunteer opportunities

By Jeff and Eileen Bidwell

We never thought we would hear ourselves saying this: We are ever so grateful for the sun break that illuminated our living room earlier this week. March left rainfall of nearly epic proportions in its wake. Our early rain total is more than enough to keep our “drought warning” signs in storage.

All that aside, we started our vegetable garden a little later than usual. After two very disappointing springs when many of our spring vegetable seeds rotted in the ground, we planted peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes and onion sets early this month. Our patience has been rewarded with little green leaves poking their way through the ground.

Our garden is a very small and compact space, so it’s essential to use our space wisely. Veggies such as peas bring a high yield and can be grown in a small space. If you have more space, now is the time to plant starts for beets, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and turnips.

The first ever Seattle Pedaler’s Fair will be held in Ballard this weekend.

Organized by Ballard's Swift Industries and Go Means Go, the event is a first of its kind and will showcase cycling related products from vendors from across the state of Washington.

From Pedaler's Fair:

Pedaler’s Fair was born of a strong belief in buying local and supporting people
that make things themselves.  We enjoy having a connection with the products we use
on a daily basis.
Whether you are new to cycling, a seasoned rider, or someone that is just curious about
handmade goods that are being made in Washington state, you are invited to come
peruse amazing wares celebrating the bicycle.

by Paul Moseley

The Evergreen Wolverines hosted the Tyee Totems in a Seamount league girls fast pitch matchup April 18.

Evergreen came in looking for their first win of the season, and Tyee looked to add another W to their record after a hitting a rough patch after a positive 2-0 start on the season. Evergreen has shown power this season, putting up 7 or more runs in 3 of their first 6 games, including 7 in a game against league contender Lindbergh.

Tyee jumped out front, earning 3 runs in the first inning and adding another 2 runs in the 2nd giving them a comfortable 5-0 lead. Tyee kept up the pressure in the 3rd by adding 2 runs but stranding 3 runners. Evergreen found their bats and, with the bases loaded, took advantage of an errant pick off attempt at third to score 2 runs. After 3 innings, Tyee was up 8-2.

Evergreen turned the tables in the 4th and 5th innings, outscoring Tyee 5-1, including a double by Tae Johnson in the 5th that turned into a 3 run round trip due to a Tyee error. That brought Evergreen within 2 with a score of 9-7