April 2012

John and Megan Zetlmaier got their dog Pebbles, who is an Affen Pinscher as a rescue dog from a puppy mill. "The puppy mill itself was the one that got shut down up in Skagit County," Zetlmaier said. That was six years ago and Pebbles just turned seven.

Pebbles is doing well these days. "She has a pretty spoiled life," he said," but she's still kind of timid as a result of being cooped up for the first ten months."

The couple feeds Pebbles "a very restricted diet of expensive dog food. Whatever dog food is triple the cost of normal, that's what she eats."

Some animals don't mind (while others actually enjoy) being dressed up. Not Pebbles. "She won't wear clothes. When we put a sweater or something on her for Christmas she just clams up and won't even move."

But Pebbles is otherwise happy to move, especially for food. "She's the most food motivated dog you've ever seen," Zetlamaier said, and she does get treats. What kind? "Probably ones that don't need to be in this story," he said laughing.

A 2 vehicle accident at the intersection of Charlestown and California Ave. s.w. shut down southbound traffic after it happened at about 7:30 pm on Tuesday April 3. A yard care pickup truck apparently T-Boned a black SUV. According the the Seattle Police on the scene no one was hurt.

The yard care truck ended up partially on the sidewalk in front of BioJunction Sports Therapy while the SUV was in the middle of the road. The accident was cleared in fairly short order.

UPDATE 4-5-12
White Center Chamber of Commerce President Mark Ufkes provided this update:

Rather than have two White Center business gatherings on the same day, the White Center Chamber of Commerce is cancelling the April Chamber monthly luncheon and encouraging Chamber members to attend the White Center CDA Business Mixer. The Chamber web site committee will be reporting out on our progress to date for our planned web site. We will resume our normal monthly luncheons on Tuesday, May 8th. Also remember that we will have White Center Spring Clean scheduled for Saturday, May 19th and need volunteers and funding support for our several anti-graffiti mural projects.

Original Post
The White Center Business mixer for April 10 will feature Matthew Richter who will lead a discussion on empty storefronts in White Center.

The monthly meeting, meant to provide a social platform for area business people will take place at the Crawfish House, 9826 16th Ave. s.w. from 6 pm to 7:30pm.

press release:
Crews will close the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct this weekend to reinforce a two-block section of the structure located above the path of the future SR 99 tunnel.

Both directions of SR 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge will close from 11 p.m. Friday, April 6, to 5 a.m. Monday, April 9. Drivers should expect increased congestion in and near downtown Seattle during the closure and plan accordingly.

“The weather is improving and shops and restaurants will be open for the holiday weekend,” said Matt Preedy, WSDOT Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program deputy administrator. “Remember to plan ahead and allow a little extra time to get to your destination.”

This map shows recommended routes to the waterfront, Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square.

Preparing to tunnel beneath the viaduct

The deadline for Delridge Unsung Hero nominations was March 23 and one of the event co-chairs, Mike Shilley from the Delridge Neighborhood District Council, said he was amazed by the response and quality of nominations, 27 people in all.

“There were some great nominations and you don’t realize what people are out there doing (in Delridge neighborhoods),” Shilley said. “We were blown away by the response.”

Shilley said DNDC plans to host an Unsung Heroes Banquet on April 20th and will invite all 27 nominees to the celebration, not just the top eight as originally planned.

“We want to bring them all in, recognize all of them, and the winner will be nominated for the Jefferson Award (a national award recognizing stars in public service),” he said.

Shilley said the banquet is not just about eating some food and celebrating the nominees, but hopefully providing an opportunity to build momentum, “to hear from everybody and start a conversation.”

UPDATE: May 7
Only one week remains to get tickets to Shake, Rattle and Roll. This event is unique and features Feedback Lounge custom cocktails plus some outstanding auction items.

UPDATE April 30:
Organizers for Shake, Rattle and Roll say the tickets are going fast and with a limited number available are urging people to get them ASAP online. No tickets will be sold at the door for the May 18 event. Highlights include event MC Marty Riemer, cocktails from Matt Johnson @ Feedback Lounge, appetizers from Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes, live music from local band Not Dead Yet, and a small but fabulous auction including a Walla Walla Wine Weekend, Spring Break in Palm Desert, and a Sports Lovers package.

Original Post April 3:
A benefit cocktail party called Shake, Rattle and Roll for WestSide Baby just found The Feedback Lounge as a sponsor of the Signature Drink. The event is set for Friday, May 18 from 7pm to 10pm at the Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave. s.w.

Press release
The Pacific Institute is saddened to report the passing of its Chairman and co-Founder, Lou Tice Sunday evening, April 1st, after a brief illness. Surrounded by his wife, Diane, and loving family and friends, Lou spent his final days challenging those around him to carry on with his life’s work – educating and empowering individuals all around the globe to an ever-greater commitment toward making “a better world.”

A memorial service celebrating the life of Lou Tice is scheduled for Friday, April 13th, at 10:00am at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 4212 S. Mead St., in Seattle.

Born in Seattle, Lou Tice began his professional career as a high school football coach. While at Kennedy High School in Burien, a summer course by a visiting professor at the University of Washington inspired him to create, with Diane his wife, the educational curriculum that would spread around the world.

Update for April 13
Yet again, West Seattle's philanthropic spirit rose to the occasion by dining out on April 12 to help raise funds for Transitional Resources, an art therapy program serving men and women with severe and persistent mental illness.

Event organizer Yemaya St.Clair with Transitional Resources shared this early report:

It was an amazing Food For Art event last night! Thanks to all the diners, restaurants, volunteers and raffle donors! Reports are still coming in, but we do know that Circa sold out of all their specials, Locol had the busiest four hours EVER, and HighStrike Grill ended up starting the promotion 2 hours early because so many diners said they were there for the event!

Update for April 12
Press release
Dine out in support of art therapy Thursday, April 12 at one of seven participating West Seattle Restaurants. Circa, Fresh Bistro, Highstrike Grill, Locol Barley & Vine, Luna Park Café, West 5, and Zatz are all donating a percentage of their proceeds on Thursday night to Transitional Resources’ art therapy program, serving men and women living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Sustainable Burien press release:

Welcome to the fun and delicious world of urban foraging! Come join us at Seahurst Park on April 15th from 2-4 p.m. to learn how to identify some of the most common edible weeds and wild foods available to us in the city.

Weeds are an abundant source of nutritious food available for the picking. Many of our most common weeds hide huge nutrition in their tasty little leaves!

Master forager, Melany Vorass, will present information on gathering ethics, local rules and regulations, safety, and general information about how to cook with weeds.

Participants will learn about free and abundant superfoods like dandelion, plantain, catsear, nipplewort and shotweed and will receive a handy take-home brochure with field identification information and cooking tips.

After almost 25 years as an environmental policy analyst, Melany retired to pursue a combination of her three greatest loves: plants, food and writing.

Softball:

The Beavers Fastpitch team faced Garfield on a beautiful Monday evening at the Lower Woodland Park fields.

Garfield started off strong, scoring two runs during their first at bat. But the Beavers came out swinging and quickly caught up, scoring 9 runs in the first four innings.

Garfield got a few hits of Ballard pitcher Andrea Jewett but Ballard outplayed Garfield by a landslide, winning the game 17 to 5.

Ballard's Julia Boone went 3 for 3 at bat, and had 3 RBI. Jewett was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI.
Jewett picthed for six innings, allowing 3 hits and 5 runs, and striking out 13 batters.

LAX:

The Beavers girls LAX team played against Eastside Catholic on Monday evening and lost 16 to 9.

Ballard's Sophie Mora scored 3 goals and had 1 assist and 3 draw controls. Katie Kennedy had 3 goals, 4 ground balls, and 1 draw control. Jessica Bryan had 2 goals, 1 ground ball, and 1 draw control. Hallie Byers scored 1 goal/ Goalie Hannah Breton made 19 saves.