June 2012

Drew Collier named his dog Mr. Lover after the song of the same name by recording artist Shaggy but, "He got that name because he's a snuggler," said Collier," He's like a little teddy bear."

Mr. Lover is a mixed breed Pit Bull and African Ridgeback and Collier got him as rescue dog in 2007. As a puppy he had trust issues. "It took him like four packages of baloney to get him to like me," he said.

"I got him because he was barking like he wanted to kill you but he was shaking in his boots. He was tiny like the size of a hamster but just trying to hold his ground so I said, 'Oh I gotta get this guy,' "

Today, Mr. Lover eats, "the best that a dog can get," said Collier, "that good Pedigree stuff, Cesars, he likes that, the little dog loafs at PetSmart. Collier supplements Mr. Lover's diet with treats like pig ears, chicken bones, cow bones, pretty much any kind of bone he's with it. He doesn't like any of the fake bones."

SLIDESHOW. Click on photo for more.

Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th District Democrat, launched his reelection campaign for the House of Representatives tonight at the Youngstown Cultural Center in West Seattle. He runs unopposed. Attending was his mentor, Sharon Nelson, a member of the Washington Senate, also from the 34th District. Also showing support, Rep. Dave Upthegrove, 33rd Legislative District, his brother, Jeff, 34th District Treasurer, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and State Rep. Zack Hudgins (D-11, Tukwila).

"I worked for Sharon for three years, from 2007 to 2010," Said Rep. Fitzgibbon. "Then I left to run, to do this."

"He's really good at policy and politics, so I'd have to say that he's doing it on his own," said Sen. Nelson.

Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon

Press release: City of Seattle, Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs:

We received more than 500 nominations this year.

In honor of its 10th year, there are 10 recipients of the 2012 Mayor's Arts Awards:

TilibSedeb (Singing-Feet), the Duwamish tribe's language and culture performance group

From the Duwamish tribe website: The Duwamish Tribe with the direction of Cecile Hansen, Chairperson, formed the Duwamish Language and Dance Group (tyleebshudub) or "singing feet". Zeke (Uswahli) Zahir is the scholared linquist and teacher instructing the dance group. There are approximately (10) duwamish youth who participate on a monthly basis. They are learning traditional Lushootseed language through song and dance and have been invited to perform at many forums including cultural events, festivals, for state and city officials and for other Native tribes and events.

The nine other recipients are:

Freehold Theatre Lab/Studio
KEXP 90.3 FM

PRESS RELEASE FROM PORT OF SEATTLE:

(Seattle—June 5, 2012) – The Port of Seattle Commission today approved the lease of over 42 acres in the Des Moines Creek Business Park (DMCBP) that will create over 200 construction jobs and 250 permanent jobs for the area. The agreement was finalized with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and developer Benaroya Capital to create a new PSE operations center.

“This project helps create much-needed local jobs," said Port of Seattle Commission President Gael Tarleton. “It advances our strategic goals to support sustainable development in Sea-Tac Airport's neighboring communities, producing economic benefits while protecting our environment."

The location will accommodate a new operations facility for PSE to consolidate facilities located in the cities of Kent, Renton and SeaTac. The central location within its service area will allow PSE to better service its infrastructure and clients. PSE is the state’s oldest local energy utility. It serves 1.1 million electric customers andmore than 750,000 gas customers in 11 counties.

The Morgan Junction Community Festival taking place June 23 has finalized their 2012 Music & Event Schedule. The festival, offering dozens of booths with food, crafts, and community organizations starts at 10:30 am and goes on until 7pm featuring 7 main stage acts, 4 small stage acts plus the ever popular Bubbleman!

The "Bite of Morgan" will offer smaller portion food samples from participating area restaurants.

It all happens in the Morgan Junction at the intersection of Morgan Street, California Avenue SW and Fauntleroy Way SW with the booths in the parking area behind Zeeks Pizza, Feedback Lounge and Washington Federal, along Beveridge Place SW, and musical acts appearing in the Morgan Junction Park.

Additional kids activities, including a gift-certificate Bank Vault (each participant enters and grabs coupons being blown about by an internal fan), will be located in the Washington Federal parking lot.

To help further enhance cycling in Seattle, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has officially launched the 2012 Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) update project.

Scheduled to be updated after five years, the BMP has been effective at guiding improvements to the City’s bicycle system over the last five years, including the installation of 129 miles of bike lanes and sharrows, 98 miles of signed routes and 2,230 bike parking spaces.

An update to the plan presents an opportunity to include fast-evolving best practices and new thinking in bicycle facilities, safety, and design that will result in an even more connected bicycle network for all Seattle residents seeking to ride for recreation, shopping or commuting.

“We’re so excited to see the City planning a network of safe, comfortable streets that connect us to our neighborhoods, whether we walk, drive, ride a bike, push a stroller, or move by wheelchair. The Bike Master Plan update is a critical step towards a healthier and more equitable Seattle,” said Cathy Tuttle, Coordinator of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, in a statement.

TONIGHT, 7:00 p.m., FREE:

You are cordially invited to an Open Rehearsal by the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society at Crown Hill Center

IOLANTHE
or the Peer and the Peri

Tonight, Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 7 p.m.

9250 14th Avenue NW – just north of Holman Road NW

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The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society is presenting Eleven (11) performances of Iolanthe, or The Peer and the Peri July 2012.

Tickets on Sale June 14th!

Show Times
Friday, July 13 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 14 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 15 2:00PM

Friday, July 20 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 21 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 22 2:00PM

Friday, July 27 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 28 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Ticket Prices
Adult General Admission - $40
Senior General Admission - $38
Youth General Admission (18 yrs & under) - $16

Friday Family Night:
Adult General Admission - $35
Senior General Admission - $37

In a recent blog post, city councilmember Sally Bagshaw penned 16 bullet points that we collectively can do for public safety.

"I am deeply saddened by the shootings in Seattle. All of them. The ones that occurred months ago; the ones that are still unsolved; the ones that just occurred and are practically too raw to talk about," she writes. "Every shooting results in heartbreak. We have witnessed lives cut short; families and friends bereaved. The loss of each individual will be felt forever."

Bagshaw acknowledges that while we all call for change, things haven't actually changed.

"People in our city are justifiably scared and tired of the same conversations and accusations," she states. "We’ve said we wanted to make our streets and neighborhoods safe for years. Debates about gun laws and their effectiveness have raged for decades. How do we start anew?"

Bagshaw proposes 16 constructive ideas, both short-term actions and long-term strategies.

The Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College is holding their Spring Release of five new wines on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 7-9.

The Release Tasting is set for June 7, 12 - 6pm, featuring the Grand Reveal.

Friday June 8th is the day for the Alumni Tasting 4 - 6pm featuring 10 Winemakers who graduated from the NWWA who will show their wines.

Saturday June 9 offers a Barrel Toasting Demonstration 12-Spm and a Food & Wine Pairing Contest 3-Spm.

The new wines featured throughout the three day event are:

• Late Harvest Viognier
• Reserve Cabernet Franc
• Riesling
• Rose
• Semillon

The event is free and open to the public and you can vote on the wines you enjoy most.

South Seattle Community College Wine Technology Program
6000 16th Avenue SW In West Seattle clickfor map & directions
Tel: 206934-6846 or 206 934-7942 http://www.southseattle.edu/campus/map.htm

President of the Admiral Neighborhood Association, Katy Walum shares this information:

"Saturday, June 9th, from 9am to 11am, we'll be holding our quarterly Adopt-a-Street Cleanup of the Admiral Business District. We welcome any and all to join us as we meet up at Metropolitan Market at 9am in the outdoor covered area adjacent to the floral department.

As always, Met Market will provide breakfast pastries, fruits, and coffee for volunteers (and a sack lunch to take with you following your cleanup efforts!), and the ANA will have safety vests, gloves, bags, and trash picker-uppers available to help you with your work.

As a reminder, we will be cleaning up SW Admiral Way from the Admiral Viewpoint west to Alki Mail & Dispatch (both sides of the street), and California Ave. SW from SW Hanford north to SW Walker Street.

You can also join the organization on their Yahoo Group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AdmiralNeighborhood/