May 2012

Des Moines’ five police chief candidates met at a public meet and greet reception on Monday, May 21.

The city held an open, casual reception at the Des Moines Activity Center as a way to introduce the candidates to the community and also get feedback from anyone who wished to fill out the form that was available at the event.

Although turnout was light, the candidates spoke openly with those that were there and discussed their plans and ideas for the police department if they are chosen as the police chief.

“It has been a revealing process,“ Vic Pennington said about the candidate interview process. Pennington, deputy chief of the South King Fire & Rescue, was on one of the review panels and had an opportunity to meet with each of the potential police chiefs.

“It’s a great group of candidates with great qualifications,” Pennington added.

The candidates went through several reviews and interviews with many different city leaders and staff members before coming to this point.

By Gwen Davis

The passionate testimony, given at a council meeting by approximately 17 people – to a full room – was in regard to a $600 payment for continued membership in ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) that provides assistance to local, national and regional governments to develop environment sustainability. ICLEI has become somewhat synonymous to the United Nation’s (UN) Agenda 21, which deals with human impact on the environment.

Despite the public comments, council members voted to continue membership in the organization.

“I am serving you notice of the unconstitutionality of your actions to be entered into the public record,” said testifier Laurie Lyford to the council. “Supporting Agenda 21, the sustainable development amendment under ICLEI violates the constitutionally-imposed limitations on your legal authority and violates your oath of office.”

Several testimonies were followed by cheering, sometimes with standing ovations.

Testifiers questioned global warming’s existence.

It was the spring of 1954. The smell of the grass field, a fist smacking a fielder's glove, the crack of the bat when a pitch was perfectly hit. Those were the signs of America's pastime in small towns across the land.

The Seattle Rainiers baseball squad was our only hometown professional sports team. Once in a while we took the kids to a game. I got the coach, Dewey Soriano, to get me a ball signed by the members of the team. That ball became an honored treasure in our house.

My own boys wanted to mimic the pros. They got games going in the front yard. A homer sent the ball into the neighbors' hedge. Their friends were joining teams and playing on regulation fields.

One of the neighborhood dads asked me if I would help out with coaching a team. I was soon coach of the Beverly Park Pikers. It was my duty to guide raw athletes and teach them the finer points of the game. I was unqualified. They didn't know I'd never made my own pony league in 1934.

“How would you like to have a 65-foot high building located right in the city’s marina at water level,” asked longtime Des Moines home and boat business owner friend, Arlene Knight. “Good Grief, No”, I quickly replied!

As a lady of considerable business education and experience, Arlene and her husband, Stan Wilkes, own and operate “Classic Yachts” from their office-boat afloat close to the middle of the marina. Their home is also located within the marina, so if this alleged 65-foot building height story becomes reality the impact to them is no small issue.

The major drawing card of public attraction to this city of highest priority to both boaters and most every citizen in Des Moines, as well as volumes of year-round visitors is Des Moines Marina.

UPDATE: Abductor charged with kidnapping

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Jimmy Hung described Riley as an admitted member of the Valley Hood Piru street gang with an extensive criminal history and outstanding domestic violence charges involving three women, and said, The state has grave concerns for the safety of the victims in this case as well as the community at large,” Hung told the court.

Riley is charged with second-degree kidnapping, car theft, unlawful gun possession and violating a no-contact order, all felonies. He remains jailed at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center on $400,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned June 5.

Two children abducted at Burien Library now safe

On Friday May 25, photographers David Rosen, Patrick Robinson and Kimberly Robinson headed out to capture the sunset as seen from West Seattle. The weather had been sunny most of the day but as the day drew to a close things began to change dramatically.

A thunderstorm passed over the southern section of the peninsula and over the Olympic Mountains, as the sun began to move toward the horizon, the color shifted and the rain could be seen falling in wide purple curtains against an orange sky.

Many people witnessed the spectacular display, some stopping to take cell phone photos, others hurrying to the beach with their camera and tripod.

The Herald photographers spent 2 hours recording nature's colorful display and this slideshow is the result.

Siren Song, a boutique winery based in West Seattle, was awarded medals for three of its 2009 wines at this year’s Seattle Wine Awards. The winery won a silver medal for its 2009 “Piazza,” a Super Tuscan style blend, a silver medal for its 2009 Zinfandel, and a bronze medal for its 2009 “A Night in Madrid,” a Rioja style blend. Winemaker, Kevin Brown will accept the medals at the organization’s awards dinner on July 22.

A complete winners list can be found on www.seattlewineawards.com.

Founded in 2007, Siren Song is a small production winery that is focused on making a broad range of premium varietals and blends for the wine enthusiast.

It released seven wines from its 2009 vintage earlier this year. The winery sources its grapes from the best vineyards in Washington’s Columbia Valley.

ArtsWest, West Seattle's own award winning live theater has set the details for their annual gala featuring dinner from Herban Feast, live entertainment, a silent auction and a live auction.

The theater is hoping to raise $85,000 to support the theater, gallery, and education programs they provide.

The event will take place at the Seattle Design Center at 5701 6th Ave S and doors open at 5:30 PM.

Click here to register online.

The Evening at a Glance

Cocktail Hour & Silent Auctions
Enjoy a full hosted bar, tasty wines, and divine hors d’oeuvres while you bid on amazing auction items.

Dinner
Your choice of the following:
Thyme-Crusted Tender Beef Loin
Citrus Glazed New York Cut Pork Loin
Vegetarian Option: Brown Butter Thyme-Scented Potato Gnocchi

Dessert
Your chance to bid on delicious, decadent desserts!

Program Highlights
David Silverman, Auctioneer
Presentation of the Alhadeff-Kongsgaard Award

UPDATE June 1

The liquor store at Westwood Village has posted a sign stating they open today beginning at 12 noon.

Original Post May 25
May 29 (Tuesday)is the day state liquor stores in West Seattle will officially shut down. While it’s known Leon Capelouto will reopen the Alaska Junction store in Capco Plaza on June 1, the plans for Westwood Village are still a mystery.

Ankur Patel won the bid for the Westwood location ($300,100), according to the Liquor Control Board, but employees at the store said they haven’t heard from him in months and have no idea when, or if, Patel plans to reopen.

While the Westwood staff said nearly everyone there has landed a new job – either at the Alaska Junction store or elsewhere – at least one employee said he is hoping to hear from Patel to find out if he can continue to work when liquor goes private.

The Herald has reached out to Patel for comment and this story will be updated if/when we hear back.

During the two day lull in local spirits access, the SODO liquor store at 2960 4th Ave S. confirmed they will be open through 9 p.m. on May 31.

By David Rosen

The Seattle Fire Department was dispatched to an overnight car fire in the 6000 block of 16th Ave SW around 10:00 pm on May 24.

According to fire investigators, the car was an abandoned later model Mercedes Benz and then was intentionally set on fire and the damage estimate was set at $5000.

The report has been handed over to the arson/bomb squad and is pending further investigation.